Department of Aviation Sciences

Department Information

Executive Director of Aviation Sciences: Michael Mower
Aviation Building, Airport ~ (435) 865-8772

Department Chair: Sean Heiner
Business 303D ~ (435) 865-8067

Director of Flight Operations: Richard Cannon
Aviation Building, Airport ~ (435) 865-8600

Administrative Assistant: Sarah Petty
Aviation Building, Airport ~ (435) 865-8797

Director of Aviation Advising: Ryan Avery
Education 318 ~ (435) 586-7844
Ryanavery20@suu.edu

Website: https://www.suu.edu/aviation/

Faculty: Professors: None; Associate Professors: None; Assistant Professors: Neal Donohue, Sean Heiner; Professionals in Residence: Sam McKnight, Daniel Darga, Patrick Keranen, Matt Lockhart, Greg Bybee, Jerrod Ramos, Ryan DeJong, Joseph Quilter, Andrew Porter, Stuart Niebuhr, Jonathon Varner, James Reyna, Jon Lovejoy, Taylor Houze, Robert Fuller, Steven Boehm, Branden Bell, Benjamin Jubatchek, Lee Sherman, Daniel Garcia, Brad Beadles, Brittany Groteguth, Brent Foster, Ian Richards, Robert Paul, Mallorie Grappendorf, Benjamin Schaefer, Daniel Dresner; Lecturers: Mark Baltimore.

Degrees Offered

Aviation, A.A.S.

Overview of Programs

Summary of Fields of Study

The department offers a choice of three specializations within the aviation major. A grade of “C” or better is required for any course counted toward a major or certificate.

Required Credits: 64 minimum credits for an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Specialization, 69 minimum credits for a Rotor-Wing Pilot Specialization, and 70 minimum credits for a Fixed-Wing Pilot Specialization.

Mission

SUU Aviation Sciences will deliver advanced and relevant flight training in the safest and most efficient manner possible. We will develop and train the aviation leaders of the future. Aviation Sciences will accomplish this by focusing on our core values:

Safety first
Quality instruction
Training in advanced and relevant aircraft

Goal Statement

Our number one goal is to deliver the most qualified graduates to the aviation industry. By focusing on our mission, we seek to establish ourselves as a premier training destination.

Department/Program Learning Outcomes

Assessment Criteria & Activities

The goals of the program will include:

Development of aviation skills necessary for the safe and effective operation of aircraft in VFR and IFR environments and unmanned aircraft in line-of-sight operations. Students will show evidence as a group that they have acquired skills or knowledge directly related to piloting aircraft or unmanned aircraft within the first year of participation in the program.
Manned pilot students will satisfy the FAA knowledge and skill requirements for Commercial Pilot Certification, Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Flight Instructor Instrument, and various endorsements in aircraft type and operation. Unmanned aircraft students will satisfy the FAA knowledge and competency requirements for the Remote Pilot Certificate.
Strengthening of core skills in mathematics and communication common to the aviation industry.
Students will demonstrate an increased recognition and respect for aviation safety between the time they join the program and the time they complete the program.
At the conclusion of the program graduating students will demonstrate pilot skills and knowledge deemed critical by industry and they will possess desirable attributes of professional pilots.
Student or graduate attainment of entry-level positions in the aviation industry.

Assessment of program goals will be conducted as follows:

Students will gain knowledge specific to piloting aircraft through pilot ground schools, aviation academic courses, participation in flight training, or a combination of all of these. Achievement of this outcome will be determined by student performance in ground schools, aviation academic courses, and flight training records. Assessment of the first goal will also be accomplished via standardized tests, both internally (at SUU) and externally (FAA).
Assessment of the second goal will be accomplished via standardized tests, both internally (at SUU) and externally (FAA).
Assessment of the third goal will be accomplished via standardized tests, both internally (at SUU) and externally (FAA).
Safety comprehension will be evaluated when each student joins the program and then re-evaluated during the final semester of aviation courses. A carefully constructed safety evaluation will be the tool to assess progression of an enhanced aviation safety commitment. Student safety related decisions and actions as garnered from SUU aviation flight training records and safety records will be considered to further quantify accomplishment of this outcome.
Pilot skills will be evaluated by a number of different tests and exams to include: FAA knowledge exams, End-of-course Exams, Stage Exams, and course finals. Aviation students will be expected to perform and behave as would be expected of professional pilots. Professional pilot attributes will be evaluated by student appearance and performance during practical exams at the airport, using student professionalism evaluations completed by faculty, staff, and mentors, and by student performance during interviews and in job settings.
Assessment of the sixth goal will be done by tracking graduates and their career paths.

Other Information

Internships

Internships are a fantastic way for students to apply what they have learned in real world work settings. Internships are strongly encouraged. Only aviation majors possessing a Commercial Pilot Certificate or a Remote Pilot Certificate and with the appropriate prerequisite courses may enroll for internship credit within the department. Students must contact the department for internship prerequisites and other information in advance of internship work. A maximum of four internship credits can be applied toward the required credits in the Aviation, A.A.S. degree.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Various scholarships and other financial aid may be available to aviation students who qualify for these resources. A Financial Aid Counselor in the Financial Aid office has been specifically assigned to assist aviation students. Students must meet all requirements and submit appropriate applications for scholarships and other financial aid to the appropriate parties by their due dates. Students should contact the Financial Aid office to schedule appointments with the financial aid counselor for aviation, (435) 586-7735.

A scholarship for Commercial level training in rotorcraft has been established by the department. Please contact the financial aid counselor for aviation for additional details about this scholarship.

Students qualifying for Veteran educational benefits must contact the SUU Veteran Center for verification and use of said benefits. Contact SUU Veteran Center at (435) 865-8477 or veterans@suu.edu or complete the online contact form available at the following link: https://www.suu.edu/veteransaffairs/contact.html

Student Advising

Academic advisors assist students in selecting appropriate courses and appropriate specializations. An academic advisor dedicated to the students of the aviation program is available. Students should contact:

Ryan Avery
(435) 586-7844
Ryanavery20@suu.edu
Office location: ED 318

Cognizance and successful completion of graduation requirements, however, are the responsibility of the student.

Flight Training

Flight training is a component of all three specializations of the Aviation, A.A.S. Students must successfully complete flight training required by the degree. Manned flight training is based out of the Cedar City Regional Airport and unmanned flight training is primarily based out of the Three Peaks Model Port. Students will be assigned to flight instructors upon registration for any courses associated with flight training.

Flight training has an additional cost to regular student tuition and fees. Flight fees are paid upon registration of each flight lab or flight related course. Pricing sheets are available using the link found on the main menu of the SUU Aviation Home Page https://www.suu.edu/aviation/

Student Handbook

The SUU Aviation Student Handbook contains additional program policies and standards. This handbook can be accessed using the link found on the main menu of the SUU Aviation Home Page https://www.suu.edu/aviation/. The most recent revision of this handbook applies.