Flight Operations Certificate of Completion

Program Description

This noncredit certificate program in Flight Operations is designed for students interested in careers as a pilot in general aviation, commercial aviation, or military aviation. This certificate prepares students for employment or transfer to other colleges, and includes Federal Aviation Administration approved curricula in basic ground school, advanced ground school, and instrument ground school. Through the San Bernardino Valley College Flying Club students have the opportunity to gain flight experience at a nominal cost as they prepare for the private pilot, commercial pilot, or instrument pilot ratings. Students working tor certificates must have a basic knowledge of arithmetic, reading, and writing in order to learn and work in the occupations they select.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program.  Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway.  It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Division

Applied Technology, Transportation & Culinary Arts

Department

Aeronautics

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Manufacturing, Industry, Transportation

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Relate the basic principles of aircraft flight, airport layout, airplane construction, and types of airspace.

  2. Relate the major aircraft structural components, and the aircraft systems and components and their relevance to aircraft operation.

  3. Discuss the factors involved in aircraft flight safety.

  4. Compare the different types of aircraft powerplants and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

  5. Decipher the different types of weather reports and forecast and determine if aircraft flight is safe.

  6. Explain the basic principles of aircraft flight.

  7. Outline how the different types of weather affect aircraft flight safety.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

1st Semester

AERO 621
Aviation Fundamentals
This noncredit course is an introduction to the basic principles of aeronautics, aircraft structure and operations including space, rocketry and aeronautical occupations.

Course Details:

AERO 622
Private Pilot Ground School
This noncredit course offers complete preparation for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot written examination including aerodynamics, weight and balance, airports and airspace, meteorology, using aviation services, flight information publications, federal air regulations, navigation, radio navigation aids, cross-country flight planning, physiology of flight, and airborne emergencies.

Course Details:

AERO 624
Aircraft Powerplants
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the operating principles and construction highlights of both reciprocating and jet aircraft engines including: internal combustion engines, jet propulsion engines, aircraft fuels and fuel systems, electrical and ignition systems, lubricants and lubrication systems, propellers, engine instrument and control systems, engine inspection, operation and troubleshooting.

Course Details:

AERO 625
Flight Safety
This noncredit course is an in-depth study of flight safety including: organizations contributing to flight safety, pilot and passenger responsibilities, emergency radio procedures, pilot resources, ground safety, mid-air collisions, weather and night flight hazards and precautions, emergency procedures, medical factors, human factors, and crash investigation and liability.

Course Details:

2nd Semester

AERO 626
Airframe Structures
This noncredit course is designed to familiarize the aviator or prospective pilot with the fundamentals of aircraft design and construction including: aircraft structural components, fundamentals of aerodynamics and flight, materials and hardware, ice and rain protection, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, landing gear systems, fire protection systems, electrical systems, instrument systems, weight and balance control, and blueprint reading.

Course Details:

AERO 640
Instrument Ground School
This noncredit course examines the fundamentals of instrument flight in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system and factors that can affect the operation including aerodynamics, navigation, flight planning, and communication. The subject matter is reinforced by flying various procedures in flight simulators. This course can be used as a method to meet the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for the ground instruction portion of a Biennial Flight Review (BFR) as specified in Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 61.56.

Course Details:

AERO 646
Aviation Weather
This noncredit course covers the aspects of weather as they relate to aircraft operation and safety. It includes basic and hazardous weather, atmospheric winds, pressure systems as associated with weather, cloud formation, air masses and fronts, thunder storms, turbulence and icing, fog, haze and smoke, high altitude, arctic and tropical weather, interpretation of weather reports, forecast, charts and maps.

Course Details: