Overview

The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the aviation industry operational, regulatory and commercial frameworks, as well as airlines, airports and aviation service providers. This will provide students with a fundamental understanding of the interdisciplinary, interdependent nature of the broader aviation industry, which is required in a novice aviation professional. The students will learn the evolution of aviation law and regulations and the impacts that has on the aviation operations. This basic framework will form a foundation for development in subsequent units.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-March-2026
31-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
15-March-2026
Census date
31-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
21-April-2026
Results released date
07-July-2026
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-August-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-August-2026
Census date
01-September-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
22-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  1. dentify, describe and differentiate the key business functions, systems and stakeholders in both global and Australian contexts
  2. Specifically identify the key stakeholders and their roles in the Australian aviation environment, including government, industry, regional and indigenous communities
  3. Examine the relationship between the key aviation business functions and stakeholders, both globally and specifically for Australia
  4. Recall the critical historical events which have shaped the modern aviation environment
  5. Articulate the primary purpose, goals and constraints of the global aviation system
  6. Interpret and translate both aviation legal and regulatory terms and domain-specific language to effectively with aviation stakeholders
  7. Explain the purpose, development and role of regulation in aviation and how organisations ensure compliance and governance
  8. Interpret the intent of a contract to make informed business decisions

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Learning Activities		 1.00  12 weeks  12
On-campus
Lecture		 2.00  12 weeks  24
On-campus
Class		 1.00  12 weeks  12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		 8.50 12 weeks  102
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment Group  35 - 55%  1,3,5,6 
Assignment Individual  20 - 40%  2,3,5,6,7 
Online Tests Individual  10 - 20%  1,2,4,5,7,8 
Tutorial Exercises Individual  5 - 15%  1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 

Content

  • Evolution of aviation and historical context of the aero-political environment
  • International Regulatory Environment including key international conventions, regulatory bodies and their role in the aviation industry
  • Australian Domestic Aviation Regulatory Environment and overview of key domestic legislation and regulations
  • Key stakeholders in Australian aviation, including regulatory bodies, industry, regional and indigenous communities and their roles
  • Components of aviation, which include airlines, airports, air traffic control, aircraft manufacturers, rescue and firefighting services, and other suppliers
  • Global, regional and the Australian domestic regulatory framework
  • Airport functions
  • Airline strategies, finance and operation
  • Aircraft, technology and its impact on aviation
  • Air Operators certificate
  • Aircraft Certification
  • Overview of Quality, Safety and Risk Management Systems
  • Contemporary political and economic issues facing the aviation industry such as carbon/environmental trading schemes, skills shortages and alternate fuels
  • Future political and economic challenges which will shape the industry
  • Introduction to Aviation Insurance
  • Extended Diversion Time Operations (EDTO)

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.