Aviation Academy

Through the support of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Pequannock High School offers a series of courses that will expose students to the aviation and aerospace community. The courses will align with state standards. Students who successfully complete the four-year sequence will be eligible for certifications in their choice of manned flight, such as airplanes, or unmanned flight, such as drones. 

For more information on the Aviation Academy, visit the Aviation Academy website by clicking here:  PTHS Aviation Academy - (Discontinued with class of 2029)

AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS & PERFORMANCE - (Aviation Academy Class of 2029 only)

Grade: 10

Credits 5 (Full Year)

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Introduction to Flight

This hands-on course builds on the learning experiences from Introduction to Aerospace.  Students will learn to categorize aircraft, identify their parts, understand construction techniques and materials, analyze the forces of flight and perform related calculations.  Additionally, student explore aircraft design including stability, controls, and maneuvering, and study powerplants and fuel systems to understand their impact on design and performance.  

THE FLYING ENVIRONMENT - (Aviation Academy Class of 2028 only)

Grade: 11

Credits 2.5 (Fall Semester)

Prerequisites:  Successful completion of Year 1 and 2 courses of study in Aviation Academy

This course is foundational for both manned and unmanned aviation, and will prepare students to take either of two Federal Aviation Administration tests: The Private Pilot Knowledge Test or the Part 107 Remote Pilot Knowledge Test. Topics include: pre-flight procedures, airspace, radio communications, aviation phraseology, regulations, airport operations, aviation safety, weather, cockpit management, and emergency procedures.

FLIGHT PLANNING AND UAS OPERATIONS - (Aviation Academy Class of 2028 only)

Grade: 11

Credits 2.5 (Spring Semester)

Prerequisites:  Successful completion of The Flying Environment Course

This course is separated into two sections.  The Flight Planning section will cover remaining topics necessary for students to take the Federal Aviation Administration's Private Pilot Knowledge Test. Students will learn pilot and aircraft qualifications, cross-country flight planning, weight and balance, performance and limitations, human factors, chart use, night operations, navigation systems, and aeronautical decision making. Students will be provided the opportunity to participate in multiple practice examinations. At the end of this course, a school may choose to arrange for students to be signed off to take the Federal Aviation Administration's Private Pilot written exam.

The UAS Operations section will cover small unmanned aircraft performance, ethics, human factors, aeronautical decision-making and judgment, safety protocols, weight and balance, maintenance, aviation weather sources and effects of weather (micro-meteorology) on small unmanned aircraft performance, small unmanned aircraft loading and performance, emergency procedures, crew resource management, and preflight inspection procedures. Students will be provided the opportunity to participate in multiple 

practice examinations. Students will be prepared to complete the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 Remote Pilot Knowledge Test.

PREFLIGHT YOUR CAREER (Aviation Academy Class of 2027 Only)

Grade: 12

Credits 2.5 (Fall Semester)

Prerequisites:  Successful completion of Grade 11 Aviation Courses

Students will examine advanced aviation topics and career options after preparing for the Private Pilot Knowledge Test or Part 107 Remote Pilot Test in the previous year. Instrument flight, commercial aviation, and advanced aircraft systems begin the semester. Looking into the future, students will then explore new horizons in the aerospace industry. What might aviation look like five, ten, or twenty years into the future? The focus then turns to business development opportunities in aviation. Finally, students will learn about and conduct different types of research in preparation for their capstone project in the second semester.  (Potential dual enrollment through Warren County Community College with Passing of FAA 107 Test) 

THE CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE (Aviation Academy Class of 2027 only)

Grade: 12

Credits 2.5 (Spring Semester)

Prerequisites:  Successful completion of PreFlight Your Career Course

The capstone course is the culmination of the student learning experience. The students will work individually or in small groups to study and report on an aviation topic of their choosing. The goal of this capstone course is to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of a contemporary topic in aviation. The curriculum will include presentations and activities to help guide student research and project development.