2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The traditional freshman-level introduction to aviation course has focused primarily on aviation history and flight training, often catering exclusively to aspiring pilots. Full-fledged aviation programs offer flight and advanced air mobility, aeronautical engineering technology, aircraft maintenance, dispatch, airline management, airport management, and many other disciplines required to operate the national airspace system at a local, national, or international level. In the rapidly evolving aviation industry, a modified approach is needed in the freshman-level introduction course to fully prepare students for the diverse and complex opportunities now and in the near future. A modern redesign of an introduction to aviation course should provide an early exposure to a much broader range of topics highlighting the multidimensional nature of aviation today and in the future. This paper proposes a reimagined framework for a freshman-level aviation course that not only connects the history of aviation and principles of flight to traditional fields, but also exposes students to a wider spectrum of career paths and emerging trends in aviation.

In addition to historical milestones, the proposed course will introduce students to key sectors of the aviation industry such as airline operations, airport management, aircraft maintenance, aviation consultancies, and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). The curriculum will emphasize on understanding the interconnectedness of these fields, illustrating how they contribute to the overall aviation ecosystem. Emerging technologies, including Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Artificial Intelligence (AI) in aviation, and commercial space operations will be highlighted to expose students to the future demands of the transportation industry. The course should also offer insights into the regulatory, environmental, and technological challenges faced by the aviation industry, as well as the need and functioning of various aviation bodies such as the FAA, EASA, ICAO, and special interest groups such as IATA, A4A, among many others. Students are expected to comprehend the variety of careers and gain exposure to job opportunities in the aviation industry.

The inclusion of these fields ensures that students gain a more holistic view of the aviation industry, and the interconnectedness of their intended career path in other areas of air transportation. This modernized curriculum will cater to a wider range of aviation interests, ensuring that graduates are equipped to enter diverse fields such as air traffic management, aviation consultancy, and emerging AAM sectors. The connections of the course objectives and outcomes to the program objectives and outcomes will be proposed as required by aviation program accrediting bodies of ABET ETAC and AABI. By researching and implementing this comprehensive framework, academic institutions can create a more inclusive and forward-thinking introduction to aviation course that aligns with the current and future needs of the aviation industry.