Associate Degree of Aviation

Learning outcomes

Upon successfully completing the Associate Degree of Aviation, students will be able to:

• Apply both broad and specialised technical knowledge and skills within the field of professional pilot practice
• Apply broad knowledge of Aviation Human Factors and Aviation Management to analyse and contribute to the implementation of solutions in global professional airline and aviation practice
• Critically apply theoretical and practical skills as a professional pilot and to be able to analyse, evaluate and review to provide solutions to non-ambiguous, ambiguous and novel complex flight scenarios
• Apply knowledge and skills beyond the minimum specified in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Part 61 manual of Standards to achieve the licencing qualification of Commercial Pilot (Aeroplane)
• Apply knowledge and skills beyond the minimum specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to achieve the rating qualification of Instrument Rating Command Multi Engine Aeroplane
• Apply knowledge and skills beyond the minimum as specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to achieve either the rating qualification of Flight Instructor or achieve successful completion of a Multi Crew Cooperation Course
• Apply high-level judgement and communicate effectively within the professional pilot framework and work independently and collaboratively with a focus on safety, professionalism, and cultural diversity and inclusion
• Demonstrate professional standards at all times that include responsibility and accountability with a pro-active professional pilot work ethic and recognise the need to engage in ongoing professional development

Career opportunities

The Associate Degree of Aviation is a professional pilot course, beyond the minimum specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority that qualifies graduates to either commence an aircraft type endorsement within an airline pilot cadet program or commence employment as a Flight Instructor.

Graduates would also have met the competency requirements to be eligible for the vocational award of Certificate IV in Aviation (Commercial Aeroplane Licence) and Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Flight Operations). Upon completion of the associate degree program graduates would either undertake a jet type rating before commencing line pilot operations with an airline or commence employment as a Grade 3 Flight Instructor (depending on the practicum elective chosen).

Course rules

To qualify for the Associate Degree of Aviation, students must complete 200 credit points comprising of:

• 4 Aviation Core units (50 credit points)
• 4 Aviation Practical units (50 credit points)
• 6 Aviation Theory units (75 credit points)
• 2 Aviation elective (25 credit points)

Additional Practicum Units (valued at 12.5 credit points each) are available to students when additional flying hours are needed to fulfil licencing requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Students who enrol for additional practicum units will be required to pay additional tuition fees.

A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

Practicum (AVF) and associated licence theory (AVT) units that are either delivered by a University recognised flying provider or credited under a Credit Transfer Agreement will be done so under the requirements of the University’s Academic Partnerships Policy.

Special Requirements

In addition to the standard academic progress rules, this course has the following additional academic progress rules which are established in accordance with Academic Courses Regulation 62(2):

1. Where a student has not met the flying hours’ requirement and is approved to enrol in an additional practicum unit, a CON (Continuing) grade will be awarded for the unit in which the flying hours were not completed i.e. the initial practicum unit.

2. Following the completion of the additional practicum unit, the relevant grade will be awarded towards the unit in which the flying hours were completed i.e. the additional practicum unit.

Volume of learning

The Associate Degree of Aviation consists of a total of 200 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points.

The volume of learning of the Associate Degree of Aviation is typically 18 months of accelerated study. Due to the inclusion of studies in both Summer and Winter Terms in addition to the two standard semesters, the course can be completed in 18 months rather than 2 years. Total student contact hours, including lectures, classes, tutorials, flexible learning and practicum will vary in different semesters/terms.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Associate Degree of Aviation is 100 credit points (normally eight units)