Jan 9th, 2018

Aviation Course: How Do I Find One?

Online Aviation Courses?  Who, what, what, where, when, how?  In other words, how do I choose an online aviation course?

The answer to which online aviation course depends upon what one is looking to accomplish.  As Stephen Covey stated, “You must begin with the end in mind”.

PILOT COURSE

Some people who search for online aviation courses, are really looking for an online piloting course.  To achieve a private pilot’s license, one must successfully accomplish a ground school.  Traditionally, aspiring pilots attended a face to face ground school through a local Fixed Based Operator (FBO) and received in class instruction in order to accomplish their ground school.  With the advent of distance and online learning, much of ground school can be accomplished in a non-traditional manner.

Sporty’s (http://www.sportys.com/) is probably America’s best known and respected pilot shop.  They offer a highly rated flying course at a very reasonable price.  For more details see:  http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/learn-to-fly-course-online-private-pilot-test-prep.html.  Through a program like Sporty’s, a prospect pilot can begin their journey to becoming a pilot.

AVIATION OVERVIEW

Another option when it comes to online aviation courses is the MOOC.  MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Courses.  These are courses offered by universities.  They are generally video/lecture based.  The university will offer a MOOC partly as a gesture of goodwill to help the community.  Additionally, the university hopes to entice the student to sign up for future courses and pay tuition.

A popular MOOC course is offered by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  Embry-Riddle has a long history in the aviation education space.  Their Aviation 101 class is an overview of important aviation topics (e.g. aircraft systems, airports, aviation weather).  The class is offered through nine video sessions (https://www.class-central.com/search?q=Aviation+101), but seems to be offered only periodically.

AVIATION HISTORY

Other universities sometimes offer online aviation courses on the history of aviation.  The University of Birmingham has offered a course on how the innovation required during World War I helped shape the future of aviation.  This course: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/ww1-aviation  is not currently being offered, but is an example of what can be found online.

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

For the student searching for a more technical approach in an online aviation course, several universities offer lectures and/or notes regarding aeronautical engineering principles (https://study.com/articles/List_of_Free_Online_Aviation_Courses_Lectures_and_Learning_Materials.html).  The Indian Institute of Technology Madras is one such institution with courses on flight dynamics.

COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE

An online aviation course that strives to combine several of the education approaches above is www.DoctorAviation.com.  Doctor Aviation provides an overview of important aviation topics, similar to the Embry-Riddle course.  It also provides a pathway to your pilot’s wings that could continue with an online course such as Sporty’s.  Some aspects of aeronautical engineering, to include an introduction to flight dynamics is presented in a clear and understandable way.

Finally, the technical aspects of the course are brought alive through real life illustrations.  Famous flights and crashes provide powerful examples that will be etched in the students mind.  Imagination will be sparked as you follow the exploits of aviators breaking records, from the Wright Brothers on the beaches of Kitty Hawk, to Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface.  Similar to the Birmingham course, the innovation required during war is chronicled, particularly the advances made during and after World War II into the rocket age.

Many Doctor Aviation students have used the course as a science or history elective.

So if you are looking for a very specific topic in an online aviation course, some of the suggestions above should help.  If you are looking for fascinating cross section that can help begin or enhance your aviation interest, Doctor Aviation is for you.  Click here to begin your journey:  https://doctoraviation.com/register/

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