About the Aviation Program

Two planes at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport
Airplane cockpit
Pilots standing in front of an airplane
Student checking under an airplane

Situated at ASU's Polytechnic campus and adjacent to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Mesa, Ariz., the Aviation Program provides students with a solid foundation that prepares them for employment in major and regional airlines, general and corporate aviation, and the military.

Program Mission

The Aviation Program provides baccalaureate and graduate degree options to a wide population which includes the state of Arizona, and the national and international air transportation community for those who intend to pursue a career in aeronautical management technology and desire a technical education foundation for a lifetime of continued learning and professional development. Faculty expertise supports scholarly activities in the aeronautical profession and service to the profession.

Mission statements for:

Program Goals

The Aviation Program is striving to be nationally recognized as the leading academic program in aeronautical management technology by providing students the highest quality education available in both the flight and management areas at the undergraduate level, and in aeronautical management and aviation human factors at the graduate level. We will achieve these distinctions by:

  • developing a rigorous aeronautical theoretical educational curriculum;
  • contracting a top-quality flight provider associated with a major airline;
  • recruiting and retaining quality faculty with industry credentials and active research agendas;
  • obtaining state-of-the-art flight line facilities;
  • obtaining airline quality flight simulator and flight training devices;
  • developing industry partnerships to provide internships and other career opportunities for students;
  • developing an interdisciplinary aeronautical management program; and
  • expanding the graduate program with increased research opportunities to attract top-quality students.

Program Objectives

The Aviation Program has established the following objectives:

Societal Relevance and a Community Resource

  • Increase opportunities for undergraduate and graduate student academic success and prepare the student for entry into the aviation community upon graduation by strengthening collaboration and partnership efforts with the air transportation industry.
  • Seek business and industry input to academic program development to ensure graduates are trained and educated to meet the needs of the air transportation industry.
  • Increase collaborative research opportunities with other University Aviation Association (UAA) colleges and universities, particularly those accredited by the Council on Aviation Accreditation, by expanding the graduate program.
  • Increase the number of collaborative relationships or partnerships between ASU and businesses, organizations, government agencies, etc.
  • Continue to develop specific high altitude physiology short course formats to serve the needs of the air transportation industry that will make the altitude chamber operation self-sufficient.

Campus Community and Learning Environment

  • Attract all qualified undergraduate and graduate students, enhance the number of special opportunities available, increase student academic success, and increase and promote faculty and student involvement in community and public service activities.
  • Increase the percent of faculty involved in providing consulting or professional services to the general community.
  • Actively enhance opportunities on ASU's Polytechnic campus for women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans, which will prepare the student for transition into the international aviation community upon graduation by developing an appreciation and respect for diversity in the workplace.

Core Academic Experiences

  • Create and improve resources available on ASU's Polytechnic campus for instruction, research and creative activity, and professional service.
  • Develop opportunities for faculty with extramural funding for research and/or creative activity.
  • Increase the percentage of faculty significantly involved in publications, applied projects and professional service, and the number of graduate students supported by extramural funding.

Professional Preparation

  • Continue to develop the Airline Bridge Training Program by preparing students with realistic airline-type training and education.
  • Continue to develop the air transportation management concentration by revising the curricula based upon input from industry leaders and, in particular, the Aviation Program Industry Resource Group.
  • Increase the number of undergraduate and graduate students holding internships during the year. Identify funding sources to increase learning opportunities by integrating leading-edge technology into current academic class activities.
  • Continue to develop and improve the academic and operational efficiency of the altitude chamber, and integrating a high-altitude chamber experience into the professional flight and the air transportation management curricula.

Scholarship

  • Maintain and improve the intellectual and cultural environment on campus, as well as to identify opportunities for faculty scholarship.
  • Increase external funds generated for instruction, research and creative activities, and professional service.
  • Increase opportunities for collaborative research with industry and government agencies, and identify areas of possible application for developing technologies to solve current industry problems, such as airport/aircraft noise, hazardous materials, pollution, airport/aircraft security, and air transportation education and training.
  • Continue to develop specific research agendas for the high altitude physiology program, pilot screening and selection, and other areas particularly pertaining to applied research and teaching.