S.T.E.M. Through Aviation
Aeronautical Center of Technology
2024-25
First Year Courses
These are open to high school juniors and seniors.
- 15 Slot open to H.S. Juniors & Seniors.
- All AVIT courses are dual credit through Ivy Tech Community College. (11 College Credits)
- Become a FAA Certified Commercial Drone Pilot.
- Includes Private Pilot Ground School.
- Includes use of BATD Flight Simulators.
- Flight training through first solo first optional with extra cost.
This is a one-year course that will introduce the student to aerospace studies and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Aerospace Studies focuses on the physics, mechanics, and environment of space exploration. Launch systems and procedures will be covered. These are studied using both lecture and model rocketry. Commercial and governmental space agencies are studied as are the different aerospace careers available. Student membership in the National Association of Rocketry is required. (Currently $30/year)
In Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) the student will complete a FAA Part 107 ground school leading to preparation for the FAA Small UAS certificate-commercial drone pilot license. Students will explore aerial photography, videography, mapping, search, and rescue. Students will also spend time practicing drone flying skills. Students will have the opportunity for UAS jobs and apprenticeships. Taking and passing the FAA Part 107 test is required for ACT 110, it is also required to begin flight training with ACT.
Students that pass the FAA UAS exam will receive their Commercial Drone License. The class will meet four-and one-half hours a week.
ACT 101—Aeronautical Career Exploration 1
This begins the second semester of the first year. Students will have opportunities to apprentice with aviation operators and local airports. The apprenticeships will be for up to three hours a week. Evaluations will have an impact on ACT 101’s grade.
ACT 110—Beginning Apprenticeship
(Corequisite ACT 101)Provides the student with the opportunity to develop an understanding of various aspects of the aviation industry, including general regulations and laws associated with the field. Included is an overview of the aviation field and all employment opportunities.
Students will also learn about the departments associated with an airport and their impact on the aviation industry. Students will also study practical mathematics for aviators, risk management, and decision making for aviation. Class will meet one-and one-half hours per week.
ACT/AVIT 111 –Introduction to Aviation Technology (2 Credit Hours)
This is the required FAA private pilot ground school leading to preparation for the FAA Private Pilot written exam. This class will explore the topics required for certification as a private pilot with an airplane single engine land rating. Areas of study include aerodynamics, aircraft systems, performance, weight and balance, physiology, regulations, cross country flight planning, and weather.
Students will also take an introductory flight. Taking and passing the FAA Private Pilot written exam is required before the student’s first solo flight. The class will meet four- and one-half hours per week in the first semester and three hours per week in the second semester. ACT 122 is the lab for this course.
ACT/AVIT 120—Private Pilot Theory (6 Credit Hours)
Beginning flight training through the student’s first solo flight. This will start in the second semester. This will take approximately 20 dual flight instruction hours and
10 ground instruction hours. Taking and passing the FAA Part 107 test is required to start fight training with ACT.
Taking and passing the FAA Private Pilot written exam is required before the student’s first solo flight. Students will progress at different rates, some students will complete solo in less hours, some will require the purchase of more hours. This course is optional with extra costs.
ACT 121—Basic Flight (Corequisite ACT/AVIT 120)
This class is the lab for ACT/AVIT120, and the grade and credit will be part of ACT/AVIT120. This class is for the students to familiarize themselves with and begin using our basic flight simulators and FAA test preparation computers under the guidance of our instructors. The class will meet three hours a week.
ACT 122--Simulator Lab (Corequisite ACT/AVIT 120)
The course is designed to give the student a foundational understanding of the different segments and the forces affecting commercial and general aviation. This will include the infrastructures, services, and entities that support the aviation industry as a whole and the interrelations between them.
The course will start with an overview of the historical events that have shaped modern aviation. We will then explore the technological, economic, and political forces that influence aviation, in particular commercial aviation. Class will meet one-and one-half hours per week.
ACT/AVIT 132-Aviation Operations (3 Credit Hours. Corequisite ACT/AVIT 111)
This course introduces the challenges and complexity of aviation security faced by aviation professionals across the industry. It traces the evolution of current security approaches and explores technologies and processes targeting threat mitigation and improved operational efficiency. Airport safety, security, emergency services, and the role of law enforcement in aviation will be studied. The role of the TSA and NTSB will be explained. Class will meet one-and one-half hours a week.
ACT/AVIT 135—Aviation Safety Management Systems (3 Credit Hours. Prerequisite ACT/AVIT 111)
Basic to advance meteorology concepts will be covered. The students will learn to interpret and explain weather reports, forecasts, weather charts, and flight briefings. The role of the National Weather Service, Flight Service Stations, NOAA, and ARTCC weather units will be explained. Hazardous weather conditions to flight will be studied. Class will meet one-and one-half hours a week.
ACT/AVIT 138—Meteorology and Aviation Weather Services. (3 Credit Hours)
This is a one-year course that will introduce the student to aeronautical engineering and maintenance careers. Aeronautical engineering will include exploration of the different engineering disciplines involved in aviation. Practical experience will be gained in 3D printing and design. Aviation maintenance careers will be explained, and practical experience will be gained in both aircraft build and maintenance on ACT aircraft.
Also covered will be career planning for students starting a career in aviation. Topics of study include resume building, interview process, and routes to employment. Class will meet four-and one-half hours a week.
ACT 201—Aeronautical Career Exploration 2 (Prerequisite ACT 101). AVIT 279--Aviation Career Planning (1 Credit Hour)
This course introduces students to the significant regulations impacting airline operations. Students will receive a comprehensive education on the structure of the National Airspace System with a focus on Air Traffic Control. Areas of study include airline operations, safety, and air traffic control operations, including how these areas work together to maintain scheduled operations, and air traffic control procedures. Class will meet one-and one-half hours a week.
ACT/AVIT 208—Air Traffic Control (3 Credit Hours. Prerequisite ACT/AVIT 111)
Students will have the opportunity for placement in apprenticeships with aviation entities. These positions will place more responsibility and require a deeper level of aeronautical knowledge from the students than in ACT110. This apprenticeship can be up to six hours per week. Evaluations will have an impact on ACT 201’s grade.
ACT 210—Advanced Apprenticeship (Prerequisite ACT110)
The students will advance from their solo flight to their Private Pilot license (PPL). This course will include all the required cross-country flights, night flights, and practice for the FAA private pilot check ride.
Students will progress at different rates, some students will be ready for their private pilot check ride in fewer hours, some will require the purchase of more hours. The FAA minimum for the PPL is 40 hours total, 20 hours of dual instruction and at least 10 hours of solo flight. This course is optional with extra costs.
ACT 221—Advance Flight (Prerequisite ACT 121)
Flight students will have use of both the BATD and AATD flight simulators. These are FAA certified flight simulators. Simulator time is beneficial to flight training. It reduces the amount of flight time needed and gives the student a safe, inexpensive way to practice difficult flight maneuvers. With an instructor sign off 2.5 simulator hours can be logged towards the 40 hours required for the PPL.
ACT 222—Advance Simulator Lab (Prerequisite ACT 122. Corequisite ACT 221)
2024-25
Second Year Courses
Second year courses. These are open to high school seniors that have successfully completed ACT’s first year courses.
- 10 college credit hours can be earned!
- Exploration of air traffic control, meteorology, aeronautical engineering, aircraft build, and aviation maintenance.
- Flight Training through Private Pilot License. (Optional with extra cost)
