Gaetz Aerospace Career Academy: Programs and Courses
Gaetz Aerospace Academy offers a variety of programs for high school students and middle school students. Program availability may vary from school to school; see participating schools for details.
Concurrent Enrollment/Dual Enrollment Courses
School districts can choose from the following available course options. Check with your local high school for their current schedule.
College of Aviation
AS 120 Principles of Aeronautical Science*
An introductory course in Aeronautical Science designed to provide the student with a broad-based aviation orientation in flight-related areas appropriate to all non-Aeronautical Science degree programs. Subjects include historical developments in aviation and the airline industry; theory of flight; airport operations; aircraft systems and performance; elements of air navigation; basic meteorology theory; air traffic principles; flight physiology; and aviation regulations and safety.
AS 121 Private Pilot Operations
This course develops the aeronautical knowledge required for certification as a Private Pilot with an Airplane Single Engine Land rating. Topics include: regulations, safety, pre-solo operations, cross-country planning, airspace, chart use, communications, weather, performance, weight and balance, aerodynamics, and decision-making.
AS 220 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems*
This course is a survey of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), emphasizing the military and commercial history, growth and application of UASs. The course will include basic acquisition, use and operation of UASs with an emphasis on operations. Pre-requisite: AS 120 or AS 121.
AS 222 Uncrewed Aircraft System Security*
Uncrewed Aircraft System Security is a sophomore level seminar course focused on the concepts of UAS security and protection. Through a combination of instructor-led discussion, assigned readings and projects, students will examine the concepts of security engineering, vulnerability and malicious attack. Students will formulate opinions and strategies for protecting systems and assets from danger while understanding the implications of ignoring security concerns. Pre-requisite: AS 220 and AS 235
AS 241 UAS Systems Architecture and Integration 3 Credits (3,0)
Basic autonomous aerial vehicle systems, including ground control systems; communications and datalinks; airframe; propulsion; navigation; flight control and autopilot; electrical; sensors and payload; launch and recovery. Explores UAS system integration and interoperability; emphasis on component interoperability, effects on system performance, capabilities, and limitations.
AS 254 Aviation Legislation
This course examines the evolution of federal civil aviation regulations in the United States. Students will examine the past and present problems prompting regulation of the industry, the resultant safety legislation, airport development, funding, legislation, and international aviation legislation.
AMS 115 Aviation Mathematics and Physics
This course covers the fundamentals of mathematics and physical sciences appropriate to the training of the aviation maintenance technician. The math topics include fractions, decimals, ratio, geometry, formulae, and proportions. The aviation physics topics include atmospheric properties, thermodynamics, fluid power, heat, power, work, basic machines and sound.
AMS 116 Fundamentals of Electricity
This course covers direct and alternating current electricity, electrical circuit design, measuring devices, transformers, solid state, and logic devices. Emphasis is placed on voltage, current, resistance, and impedance relationships. The classroom theory is reinforced with laboratory projects.
AMS 117 Tools, Materials and Processes
This course introduces the student to common and precision measurement tools, aviation hardware, and materials used in aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and repair. Various methods of nondestructive testing are also studied and performed. The course studies the principles of corrosion control and allows the student to apply its theory. Aircraft drawings, blueprints, charts, and graphs are also introduced and applied
AMS 118 Aircraft Familiarization and Regulations
This course is a familiarization course in terminology, basic aerodynamics, and human factors. The course also offers a comprehensive summary of the privileges and limitations of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR, Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations) parts 43, 65, 91 as well as other regulations pertinent to aircraft maintenance. The course identifies the associated documents, publications, and records applicable to the maintenance technician. AMS 118 also identifies the standards for aircraft ground operation, movement, and associated safety procedures in addition to the concepts and computation of aircraft weight and balance.
SF 201 Introduction to Health, Occupational and Transportation Safety
This course introduces the student to the field of safety and covers basic health, safety, and regulatory issues that apply to aviation and non-aviation business in the United States. Included is a comprehensive health and safety overview of legislative development and enactment of appropriate statutes, regulations, and laws. This course also provides an introduction to hazard recognition, reporting, analysis, and control used in risk management and accident prevention. Additional topics include accident investigation; safety data statistics; ergonomics; security and emergency preparedness; safety culture; aircraft systems; air traffic control; and workers’ compensation. This course reviews theories, applications, and practices of the field of safety.
SF 205 Principles of Accident Investigation
This course is an introduction to the process required for the investigation of accidents. Topics will include different methods of accident investigation, such as root cause analysis and Management Oversight Risk Tree (MORT), among others. Further topics will include filing appropriate accident reports and applications of corrective actions. Pre-requisites: SF 201 or SF 210
SF 210 Introduction to Aerospace Safety
This course provides an introduction and overview of the theories, concepts, applications, and practices of the field of aerospace safety. This course is designed for the beginning aviation safety student and covers topics such as human factors, mechanical factors, accident investigation, safety programs, and safety statistics.
SP 110 Introduction to Space Flight
This course provides the student with a background in the major aspects of space flight. Topics covered include the history of space flight; propulsion theory; orbital mechanics fundamentals; Space Shuttle operations; U.S. space policy; and present and future commercial, industrial, and military applications in space.
SP 200 Planetary and Space Exploration
This is a survey course of U.S. and International space programs. The student will be introduced to Earth and its space environment; to methods of scientific exploration; and to spacecraft and payload criteria at the introductory physics level.
SP 210 Space Transportation System
A survey course of the space transportation system (STS) at the introductory physics level. Included are manned space flight operations, supporting systems, and the space shuttle mission, both present and future. A review of space shuttle flight profiles, guidance and navigation control, proximity operations and rendezvous, and a brief review of hypersonic orbiter aerodynamics are included. Also covered are future STS applications to space station logistical operations, commercial applications, and Department of Defense operations.
SP 215 Space Station Systems and Operations
This course provides the student with a background in the major aspects of the International Space Station (ISS) and the Russian Mir spacecraft. Specific topics include commercial applications, logistical support, maintenance, servicing, and design concepts.
WX 201 Survey of Meteorology
This is a survey course in atmospheric science that includes applications to flight. Included is a systematic development of the following: thermal patterns, atmospheric moisture, horizontal and vertical pressure patterns, clouds, atmospheric circulation, local winds, stability, air masses, fronts, fog, icing, thunderstorms, jet streams and turbulence. Students will study and make use of surface weather observations, surface maps, and constant pressure maps.
WX 261 Applied Climatology
This course is an in-depth survey of the varied climates of the world and of the impact of climate on aviation. Emphasis is placed on understanding energy exchange processes that control climate and in describing in detail how and why temperature, precipitation and wind vary during the year and in relation to geography. Included is a treatment of climate variability, including how and why climate is thought to have changed in the past, and how it might change in the future, and of the tools used to understand this variability. Pre-requisite: WX 201
College of Arts and Sciences
GCS 115 Introduction to International Relations
Theories, concepts, and issues in international politics. Relations among nation-states and the global world system; how globalization may be changing the nature of politics. Conflict and security; international political economy; and contemporary issues. Incorporates political science, history and philosophy.
SS 110 World History
This course is primarily a survey of the development and evolution of World Civilization from 1500 to the present. Emphasis is placed on the effect of Western influence on the world.
SS 130 History of Aviation in America
A survey of the history of America in the 20th century, emphasizing the explosive growth of aviation as a major influence on the economic, military and societal development of the United States.
SS 311 U.S. Military History 1775-1900*
Military history with an emphasis on military policy, organization and technology as they relate to political, social and economic developments from 1775 to the present.
SS 321 U.S. Military History 1900-present*
Military history with emphasis on military policy, organization, and technology as they relate to U.S. political, social and economic developments from 1900 to the present.
HF 300 Human Factors I: Principals & Fundamentals
This course is intended to provide the student with an understanding of the basic principles of Human Factors Psychology. We will study the research, principles, and methods that are beneficial (and essential) in optimizing the interaction between people and machine elements of a system, while taking the environment into account.
HF 302 Human Factors II
Engineering and behavioral analytic methods and techniques; theoretical concepts and required tools needed within the Human Factors discipline; process and system design or redesign of existing system and process. Prerequisite: HF 300
HSI 110 Introduction to Homeland Security
The primary focus of this course is on issues dealing with the security of the citizens and industries of the United States, with emphasis on the transportation system and critical infrastructure protection roles of states, cities, and municipalities. Specific subjects introduced include the mission; the functions and responsibilities; and the legislative and regulatory framework governing the various agencies of the Department of Homeland Security; criminal acts against transportation; emergency management within the United States; the intelligence community and its role in homeland security; and issues pertaining to air; airtime; surface; and cargo security.
HSI 215 Introduction to Industrial Security
This course will review the fundamentals of security and emergency planning and management. The nature, scope, history, and essential elements of security in the workplace are discussed with emphasis on personal protection and to a limited extent property protection. The workplace will include selected aviation and industrial settings. Operational aspects of security that include strategies for identifying and controlling security exposures and applicable legal issues are also discussed. Students develop and/or evaluate security programs for selected industries. Pre-requisite: HF 110
HSI 220
This course will cover the broad components of the national and homeland security enterprise as well as the inter-agency process. The primary focus of this course is on understanding the role of national and homeland security in the increasingly complex governmental process. Students will examine the agencies and actors which take part in shaping America’s security policies such as the executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as the military, state department, media, intelligence and law enforcement. Elements of the organizational and institutional cultures driving the process will be discussed and analyzed. Factors relating to success and failure of strategy implementation will be explored.
College of Business
BA 201 Principles of Management*
Provides an overview of relevant management principles and practices as applied in contemporary formal and informal organizations. Focuses on management theories, philosophies, and functions.
BA 215 Transportation Principles*
This course will introduce the basic principles of several modes of transportation, including air, sea, rail, automobile, transit and pipeline. The operating characteristics of each mode is discussed, as are issues associated with intermodal competition, compatibility and interconnectivity; the importance of each in the economy; environmental issues; and future developmental prospect.
BA 310 Airport Management*
Students will be introduced to the history of airports in the United States, including major federal legislation affecting their development. Students will be introduced to the rules and regulations governing airport operations; the air traffic control, airfield, terminal, and ground access facility infrastructure of airports; airport security policies; and the economic, political and social role of civil-use airports. Pre-requisite: BA 201 or AS 120 or AS 121.
College of Engineering
EGR 101 Introduction to Engineering*
This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary aspects of the engineering of aerospace systems. It is a project- based course, demonstrating how the engineering profession is a multi-disciplinary field. Students are involved in an array of conceptual exercises, simple design activities, and projects dealing with engineering in aerospace-related areas.
SMART@ER Course Series
Our SMART@ER course series is a spin on STEM that focuses on the fields of Space, Manufacturing, Aviation, Robotics, Technology @ Embry‑Riddle.
Foundations of Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Becoming a certified remote pilot in command
This small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) course, emphasizes the introduction of sUAS and the safe flying of these aircraft in the National Airspace System (NAS). This course includes basic use and operation of sUAS with an emphasis preparation of completing the FAA Remote Pilot-in-Command Knowledge Test (Part 107).
Aerospace: The Journey of Flight
A survey course designed to introduce high school students to various aspects of engineering, aviation and aerospace that combines the Civil Air Patrol curriculum and textbook with Embry‑Riddle configured weekly practical exercises and labs. Emphasis will be placed on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education as the core concepts required to succeed in the fields of aviation, aerospace and engineering. Aviation history and career opportunities will also be covered.
Aerospace Dimensions
This course is designed to expose and inspire middle school students to various opportunities in aerospace and technology themed careers. The course visits topics in cybersecurity, general aviation, unmanned aircraft systems, rocketry, and engineering. Students will design, build, reiterate, and present on projects such as the drone delivery parachute egg drop challenge, NASA’s shoe box glider challenge, and the FAA’s Minecraft airport design challenge. Along with several hands-on projects, students will also hear directly from industry professionals from United and JetBlue to learn about different career paths.
Private Pilot Ground School
This course provides the basic knowledge and skills to establish a firm foundation of flight through the practical applications of basic aerodynamics, aircraft performance, regulations, and flight planning in single pilot, single-engine aircraft. This course also provides a foundation and understanding of the essential elements of resource management and teamwork as required by the aviation industry. Topics include regulations, safety, pre-solo operations, cross country planning, airspace, chart use, communications, weather, performance, weight and balance, aerodynamics, and decision- making. Industry Certification: Students will be prepared to take the FAA Private Pilot Ground School exam.
Understanding UAS Applications in AGRISCI
Unmanned Aircraft Systems are an up-and-coming tool in agriculture. Students will be able to plan, fly and calculate throughout this course by utilizing hands on, real-world UAS. This course is intended for high school seniors as they need to have an extensive agriculture background knowledge in order to build in concepts of unmanned aircraft systems. Industry Certification: Agricultural Unmanned Aircraft Systems Specialist Certification.
Introduction to Space
This course is a basic study of the concepts, development, and application of space flight technology, emphasizing the U.S. role in current and future space operations. Topics include the Big Bang Theory, history of space flight, Space Shuttle operations and crew training, Commercial Space Applications, Spacecraft Systems and the outlook for the future.
Aviation Technical Design I
This course provides students with instruction in the characteristics and evolution of technology, underlying principles of design, and fundamental knowledge and skills in the use of illustration and drafting software. Students will build CAD skills in 3D design and modeling using Fusion 360. Industry Certification: Autodesk Certified User – Fusion 360.
Aviation Technical Design II
Aviation Technical Design 2 (ATD2) is the second-year Computer-Aided Design (CAD) course that is designed to teach the student advanced CAD skills and further honing their year-one skills into abilities that are more useful in college and/or more marketable as an after-high school career choice. In this course, students will utilize the skills that they learned in ATD1 and carry them forth to refine the aerospace Urban Air Mobility problem from the year-one course in addition to learning 2.5-axis milling for Computer Aided Machining in the spring semester. Industry Certification: Autodesk Certified Associate in CAD for Mechanical Design.
JROTC
JROTC cadets are among a special group of high school students headed for success. Cadets in the joint JROTC/Embry‑Riddle program are able to make the most of a high school education.
The focus of Embry‑Riddle’s JROTC support mission is the student. In addition to learning the value of citizenship, leadership and service to the community, cadets participating in our Embry‑Riddle dual-enrollment program receive college credit, exposure to professional flight operations and an advanced education sanctioned by the headquarters elements for both AFJROTC and NJROTC.
Embry‑Riddle courses supplement the existing JROTC curriculum, providing cadets with specific aerospace and technology learning that will enhance their futures, regardless of what path they may choose to pursue after graduation. Technology-based curriculum is offered during the normal JROTC week of classes that is designed to expose the student to a deeper, more challenging and more focused look at specific topics that share relevance to both the uniformed service and the aerospace community like Principles of Aeronautics, Introduction to Uncrewed Aircraft Systems or Introduction to Space Flight, to name a few. In addition to the college credit conferred at the completion of a course, industry certifications that will help the cadet establish their professional resume are also offered. Cadets can earn up to 18 semester hours of college credit in three years.
Why JROTC?
JROTC programs and Gaetz Aerospace Career Academy have established a SMART@ER partnership to expand Space, Manufacturing, Aviation, Robotics, Engineering and aerospace science opportunities to high school cadets across the country. Our dual-programs focus on private pilot operations and small uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
Through these courses students are motivated to earn up to 18 college credits and also four to five vocational certifications. These industry certifications include sUAS safety, UAS Line-of-Site Safety Operations, FAA Remote Pilot-in-Command (Part 107) and FAA Private Pilot Ground certification. JROTC program opportunities are expanding yearly, establishing JROTC as an emerging leader in secondary school STEM curriculum programming.
Outreach
Gaetz Aerospace Career Academy offers additional learning opportunities outside of our concurrent enrollment and SMART@ER high school courses.
SMART@ER is a female mentorship initiative to help guide young women as they are introduced to the world of aviation and the endless opportunities that exist within it. We believe SMART@ER Girls can change the world and want to ensure they think so too. The program hopes to empower young women to achieve positive social changes by developing relationships with female mentors and creating new venues to explore careers in space, manufacturing, aviation, robotics and technology. This initiative was recently launched working with partners at United Airlines. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of female leaders in science and connect our high school and university girls with enthusiastic role models who can provide crucial mentoring. Mentors and mentees have committed to one hour a month of virtual mentoring. In addition, we are planning to launch a virtual town hall for students to engage with a diverse panel of aviation industry leaders.
Our program provides several opportunities for students and student teams to compete in a number of competitions. These competitions allow students to work in teams to design, build, fly/navigate UAS or Underwater ROVs through obstacle courses. In addition, we provide high-tech learning opportunities for students during the summer to participate in challenging UAS activities where students design, construct and navigate their aircraft through obstacle courses based on real-world scenarios.
SeaPerch in an innovative underwater robotics program developed by RoboNation and the Office of Naval Research (among others) that equips students, educators, and parents with the resources they need to build an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in an in- or out-of-school setting.
Our program’s contribution to SeaPerch consists of providing schools and instructors with kits, tools, and training in order for students to compete in a number of SMART competitions. These competitions allow students to work in teams to design, build and navigate their Underwater ROVs through a series of obstacle courses.
Manned flight operations and training at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach campus are among the world’s best. Their ability to succeed is primarily due to a standardized flight training approach where all students must complete the same flight cards to graduate to their next flight rating. To mimic these principles, we have created our very own flight training program. This program has been designed to take a beginner UAS Pilot and expose them to the many different career paths in the world of UAS. After completing each set of flight cards, the student receives the corresponding bracelet as an incentive to continue in the program.
The tracks are intended to take flight students with no experience and walk them through the steps necessary to gain real-world experience with the same tools and objectives as industry professionals. Each flight path has been specifically designed to prepare students for the industry by placing them in real-world scenarios. Students learn competitive skills and software applications with the completion of each flight card. Flight paths include: Ground Command, Expert Pilot, Inspection, Pix4D, Search and Rescue, Cinematography, Thermal and Precision Agriculture.
Students in our Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) programs have the opportunity to participate in our annual Drone Olympics. The Drone Olympics allow students to work as a team or individually to compete against other students around the state. Categories of competition include:
Drone Tank: Students create a five-minute (Elevator Pitch) presentation to a panel of expert judges on how their UAS can provide a betterment for the community or solve a problem in our society.
Swarm Off: Students will work together to create a choreographed operation with the use of up to three UASs. The UASs can move in harmony or independently.
Drone Racing: Students will compete in an online racing event. Students will learn to fly and train within the Drone Racing League simulator.