AVIA 123 - Aviation Weather

Credits: 5
This course explores aviation weather processes and the interpretation of key weather products, including METARs, TAFs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs, PIREPs, and Prognostic Charts. Students will study high-altitude, arctic, and tropical weather, and recognize hazards like wind shear and microbursts. Emphasis is placed on weather observation, forecasting techniques, and the use of services from the Aviation Weather Center (AWC) and National Weather Service (NWS) to support safe flight operations.

Course Fee: $20.00

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Examine the causes of the earth’s weather and the forces causing weather to change.
Examine the dangers of hazardous weather including thunderstorms, wind shear, icing and turbulence and identify how aircraft operation is affected.
Acquire and implement weather concepts and terms unique to aviation, including proper format and criteria for making pilot reports on in-flight weather.
Evaluate and interpret aviation weather observations and formulate conclusions on risk associated with aircraft operation.
Articulate and employ knowledge of those portions of the air traffic control system which provide pre-flight weather briefing and continued in-flight weather assistance.

Program Outcomes

Employ their understanding of the integral parts of the global aviation industry through practical application of comprehensive aeronautical principles.
Demonstrate their ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary and diverse team of aviation professionals through proficiency in the skills and technology used in the aviation industry.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning - Quantitative Reasoning encompasses abilities necessary for a student to become literate in today’s technological world. Quantitative reasoning begins with basic skills and extends to problem solving.