Reimagining Freshman-Level Introduction to Aviation Course in a Dynamic Aviation Landscape

Shantanu Gupta, Ph.D.; Jiansen Wang; Mary E. Johnson

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Conference: 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Publication Date: June 22, 2025
Start Date: June 22, 2025
End Date: August 15, 2025
Conference Session: Aerospace Division (AERO) Technical Session 5 - Pedagogy & Aviation
Tagged Division: Aerospace Division (AERO)
Page Count: 11
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/57120

Paper Authors

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Shantanu Gupta, Ph.D. Bowling Green State University orcid.org/0000-0002-5619-7012

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Shantanu Gupta is an Assistant Professor at the Bowling Green State University in the School of Aviation within the College of Technology, Architecture, and Applied Engineering. Dr. Gupta earned a B.E in Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University, India, a M.S in Aviation and Aerospace Management, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics, and a Ph.D. in Technology from Purdue University, West Lafayette. His research interests include aviation data analytics, AI/ML applications in aviation, and aviation business, finance, sustainability, and education.

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Jiansen Wang University of Houston-Victoria orcid.org/0009-0001-2663-834X

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Dr. Jiansen Wang is a Assistant Professor in the Aviation Program at University of Houston-Victoria. He holds a Ph.D. in Technology and a Master of Science in Aviation and Aerospace Management from Purdue University. Jiansen completed his B.S. degree in Transportation Engineering from Civil Aviation University of China. Jiansen's research interest is using statistical analysis and sustainability to improve airport operations and sustainability.

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Mary E. Johnson Ph.D. Purdue University at West Lafayette (PPI) orcid.org/0000-0002-6572-0979

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Mary E. Johnson is a Professor and Associate Head for Graduate Studies and Research in the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology (SATT) in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She earned her BS, MS and PhD in Industrial Engineering from University of Texas at Arlington

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Abstract

The traditional freshman-level introduction to aviation course has focused primarily on aviation history and flight training, often catering exclusively to aspiring pilots. Full-fledged aviation programs offer flight and advanced air mobility, aeronautical engineering technology, aircraft maintenance, dispatch, airline management, airport management, and many other disciplines required to operate the national airspace system at a local, national, or international level. In the rapidly evolving aviation industry, a modified approach is needed in the freshman-level introduction course to fully prepare students for the diverse and complex opportunities now and in the near future. A modern redesign of an introduction to aviation course should provide an early exposure to a much broader range of topics highlighting the multidimensional nature of aviation today and in the future. This paper proposes a reimagined framework for a freshman-level aviation course that not only connects the history of aviation and principles of flight to traditional fields, but also exposes students to a wider spectrum of career paths and emerging trends in aviation.

In addition to historical milestones, the proposed course will introduce students to key sectors of the aviation industry such as airline operations, airport management, aircraft maintenance, aviation consultancies, and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). The curriculum will emphasize on understanding the interconnectedness of these fields, illustrating how they contribute to the overall aviation ecosystem. Emerging technologies, including Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Artificial Intelligence (AI) in aviation, and commercial space operations will be highlighted to expose students to the future demands of the transportation industry. The course should also offer insights into the regulatory, environmental, and technological challenges faced by the aviation industry, as well as the need and functioning of various aviation bodies such as the FAA, EASA, ICAO, and special interest groups such as IATA, A4A, among many others. Students are expected to comprehend the variety of careers and gain exposure to job opportunities in the aviation industry.

The inclusion of these fields ensures that students gain a more holistic view of the aviation industry, and the interconnectedness of their intended career path in other areas of air transportation. This modernized curriculum will cater to a wider range of aviation interests, ensuring that graduates are equipped to enter diverse fields such as air traffic management, aviation consultancy, and emerging AAM sectors. The connections of the course objectives and outcomes to the program objectives and outcomes will be proposed as required by aviation program accrediting bodies of ABET ETAC and AABI. By researching and implementing this comprehensive framework, academic institutions can create a more inclusive and forward-thinking introduction to aviation course that aligns with the current and future needs of the aviation industry.

Citation
Format

Gupta, Ph.D., S., & Wang, J., & Johnson, M. E. (2025, June), Reimagining Freshman-Level Introduction to Aviation Course in a Dynamic Aviation Landscape Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . https://peer.asee.org/57120

TY - CPAPER
AB - The traditional freshman-level introduction to aviation course has focused primarily on aviation history and flight training, often catering exclusively to aspiring pilots. Full-fledged aviation programs offer flight and advanced air mobility, aeronautical engineering technology, aircraft maintenance, dispatch, airline management, airport management, and many other disciplines required to operate the national airspace system at a local, national, or international level. In the rapidly evolving aviation industry, a modified approach is needed in the freshman-level introduction course to fully prepare students for the diverse and complex opportunities now and in the near future. A modern redesign of an introduction to aviation course should provide an early exposure to a much broader range of topics highlighting the multidimensional nature of aviation today and in the future. This paper proposes a reimagined framework for a freshman-level aviation course that not only connects the history of aviation and principles of flight to traditional fields, but also exposes students to a wider spectrum of career paths and emerging trends in aviation.

In addition to historical milestones, the proposed course will introduce students to key sectors of the aviation industry such as airline operations, airport management, aircraft maintenance, aviation consultancies, and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). The curriculum will emphasize on understanding the interconnectedness of these fields, illustrating how they contribute to the overall aviation ecosystem. Emerging technologies, including Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Artificial Intelligence (AI) in aviation, and commercial space operations will be highlighted to expose students to the future demands of the transportation industry. The course should also offer insights into the regulatory, environmental, and technological challenges faced by the aviation industry, as well as the need and functioning of various aviation bodies such as the FAA, EASA, ICAO, and special interest groups such as IATA, A4A, among many others. Students are expected to comprehend the variety of careers and gain exposure to job opportunities in the aviation industry.

The inclusion of these fields ensures that students gain a more holistic view of the aviation industry, and the interconnectedness of their intended career path in other areas of air transportation. This modernized curriculum will cater to a wider range of aviation interests, ensuring that graduates are equipped to enter diverse fields such as air traffic management, aviation consultancy, and emerging AAM sectors. The connections of the course objectives and outcomes to the program objectives and outcomes will be proposed as required by aviation program accrediting bodies of ABET ETAC and AABI. By researching and implementing this comprehensive framework, academic institutions can create a more inclusive and forward-thinking introduction to aviation course that aligns with the current and future needs of the aviation industry.

AU - Shantanu Gupta, Ph.D.
AU - Jiansen Wang
AU - Mary E. Johnson Ph.D.
CY - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DA - 2025/06/22
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Reimagining Freshman-Level Introduction to Aviation Course in a Dynamic Aviation Landscape
UR - https://peer.asee.org/57120
ER -