Integrating Aviation Database Use in Non-engineering Aviation Course Development

Using real world data when learning new concepts is attractive to many students in engineering technology programs. Even more attractive is using real world data when learning how to address challenges. Statistics courses are usually required for aeronautical engineering technology and other aviation technology students to prepare them with data analysis skills for solving practical problems. Students who major in aviation technology programs are encouraged to practice the learned statistical knowledge with real life aviation data. In aviation public databases such as those available from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), there is a wealth of data that has the potential to engage students in active learning and to inspire students to participate in research or even seek advanced degrees. The use of aviation databases can be expanded in undergraduate level courses, or incorporated into statistical applications in class. The goal of this paper is to encourage instructors to use aviation data in their courses by doing two things: 1) familiarize instructors with a selection of FAA databases and 2) propose a set of exercises that may be incorporated into existing courses, or become part of the exercises in a standalone data analysis course. This paper presents a preliminary course design that focuses on incorporating project based, analysis oriented exercises in undergraduate courses where the exercises use public aviation data. These exercises are intended to hone students’ analytical skills and inspire students to learn by using aviation data in the exercises.