The Relevance of Education in the Aviation Industry

Introduction
Aviation industry has been one of the most successful breakthroughs in the world of transportation. People and things are transported to places and back conveniently in a short period of time thus distance doesn't matter anymore and time is greatly maximized. With this, people opted to utilize aviation for business reasons or simply for convenience and practicality. In the dawn of modernization, the influence of aviation in people's lives is in itself a very important tool. Airplane ride seemed an ordinary commodity and way of life.

Furthermore, behind these are the people who man these aviation vehicles and the very same people who went into rigid education and training to become corporate pilots or to fulfill their dreams in the field since flying a plane has always been a fascinating experience. But for these professionals it's more than that. It is ensuring the customers of their safety while riding and ensuring them that they'll be transported with ease.

Moreover, like in any field, education in aviation will help the students become professionals in the aviation industry and this involves careful planning. Good education has always been said the ticket for different career opportunities in the future. The same goes for those who desire of becoming a pilot or involved in the corporate jet market. To land a desirable job in the industry requires hard work, dedication, and a good education. In addition, the creation and advent of flight and flying machines can be attributed to the fact that they have a solid knowledge as the foundation that accumulates continuously over time (Deal, 2005). It important therefore that one is knowledgeable with aviation systems before one can successfully fly an airplane.

A Look into the History of Aviation

History of flying cab be traced back from the time the Wright Brothers flew with their heavier- than- air powered aircraft on December 17, 1903. Leon Delagrange marked the history as the first person to fly as a passenger on 1908 with a French pilot Henry Farman just outside Paris. Moreover, on the same year, Charles Funas became the first American Passenger when he flew with Orville Wright and January 1, 1914 marked in the history as in Florida, the first scheduled air service began. When World War I broke, it opened doors for production of more aircrafts mainly for government and military use.

Meanwhile, in 1917, one important use of aviation was regarding the mail service and it began in 1917. With this mails arrived faster and the world of aviation had a new picture. One important event was the legislation of Air Commerce Act in of 1926 wherein there should be an authorization coming from the Secretary with regards to route designation, air navigation systems development, pilots and aircrafts licensing and accidents investigation procedures. What followed were more advancement and changes in aviation industry and in 1927 the air age began when Charles Lindbergh made his historic flight.
Furthermore, several regulations followed to improve the aviation systems and the first modern airplane was the Boeing 247 acquired by the United Airlines in 1993. Presently, there are numerous kinds of aircrafts in the world whether they are used for pleasure, war craft, or commercial purposes.

Education in Aviation

A look into the history of aviation would make one realize that what was behind these flying crafts are the people who's interest in aviation made these advancements possible. It requires sufficient knowledge with the theories regarding flying or the information on how to fly a certain aircraft thus education in aviation is important especially when one wanted to acquire a desirable job in the industry. Like in any other field, the educational background matters and this requires careful planning and a keen interest in the profession and as such students should carefully lay their plans in studying aviation.

"Human factors in aviation are involved with the study of human capabilities, limitations, and behaviors, an the integration of that knowledge into the system we design for them with the goals of enhancing safety, performance, and the general well- being of the operators of the systems." (qtd. In Garland, Wise, and Hopkin, 1999, p. 3) These words imply that since human factors control the air crafts, it is necessary that one is equipped with the knowledge and skills. It entails a good education and proper training for one to master the arts of flying aside from the fact that enormous responsibilities are on one's shoulder.

Thus, education plays a vital role in the aviation industry. In fact, according to the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970, as amended, section 301, Public Law 94- 353, Section 21, 49 U. S. C. 1346a that "Aviation Knowledge through Education" should be promoted through various ways (Federal Aviation Administration, 1970). This includes public awareness programs catered towards the development and enhancement of aviation's education. With this, the standards of education are established and the goals and objectives are clearly laid and students will be guided accordingly. Another is the establishment of a civil aviation information distribution program with each region and center of Federal Aviation Administration with the aim of more distinct aviation systems (Federal Aviation Administration, 1970). This is important so that there will be control over the different aviation systems and knowledge from this will help students understand the aviations systems more.

Furthermore, it also dwells on the promotion of "safety in the skies through aviation education". This is to emphasize the importance of limitations as well as safety practices when manning an aircraft. Another important component of the act is the creation of "career awareness" in aviation at the elementary and secondary educational levels with the goal of instituting the world and significance of aviation to the young minds. (Federal Aviation Administration, 1970) The growing population also means the growing need in the airlines industry thus more aircraft personnel are needed. Early career symposium and awareness programs will help foster interest in the positions.

Meanwhile, the act also entails the preparation of those qualified individuals to meet the future demands of the aviation industry and along with these are various trainings and workshops that will enhance the knowledge on advancements and latest trends in the industry. This will be part of the continuing education which is relevant to be constantly updated with one's field and career. On the other hand, the aviation industry continued to expand over the years and various airlines and aircrafts companies emerged. With this comes competition and the acts also aims at the stimulation of both the private and public sectors to meet the American as well as the worldwide competitive challenges especially in science and technology.

Moreover, another emphasis on education created by the act is for the educators by aiding them in the provision of aviation education information which is congruent to their normal classroom curriculum or various class projects. Communication skills, knowledge on various subjects such as math, science, technology, and computer literacy should be given focus as these factors are important in aviation and lastly is helping the educators in determining the learning needs of the society in relation to the society's changing needs. (Federal Aviation Administration, 1970). This is to say that the education needed for aviation is holistic and does not just focus on aviation itself.

Careful planning is needed to excel in aviation education and aside from education, pilots will undergo training and will need a license to fly an aircraft. Meanwhile, various positions require different qualifications and pilots can have special training if one will pursue specialization in aviation. The responsibilities of the pilots are on the owner as well as the passengers that strict adherence to what is standard is an important factor to be successful in the field.

Corporate Pilot

One of the most exciting jobs perhaps is the work of the pilot but the most crucial. Moreover, the corporate pilot's job entails transporting officials of prestigious companies into different places. Aside from this, the corporate pilot has the responsibility of in- flight passenger meals and ground transportation at destinations as well as supervisory works in the aircraft which includes recording of data and maintenance (Federal Aviation Administration, 1998). Thus, the corporate pilot has the over all responsibility of the owner's aviation systems as well as the security and safety of the owner himself.

It has also been said that the job of a corporate pilot is quite challenging due to the fact that he is expected to fly and land to different airports at various times. (Federal Aviation Administration, 1998) With this, it is imperative that the corporate pilot is well equipped for different situations and one factor that is of help to him is his background in education as well as his experience. It is important to consider that education will serve as a foundation when one will start working thus if one is sufficient in knowledge then is more likely to address work related problems effectively.

Meanwhile, good educational background will attract employers since the knowledge pertinent to the field are important. The fact that flying can be crucial, a person who is knowledgeable can be trusted on what to do or crisis management. So, like in any other fields, education in aviation is considered important.
Although some may claim that experience is what will matter, the educational credentials will be first to look at and one can readily draw a conclusion based in the marks. Further a well educated person can understand readily and will need minimal supervision. Moreover, sufficient knowledge will secure a person from committing mistakes brought about by the lack of information for that matter.

Conclusion

In the final analysis, education in aviation is very necessary in finding a desirable job in the industry. Sine the job of a corporate pilot entails his service to important persons, his educational background as well as his experience is an important factor in considering him for employment. In a highly competitive world, one need to have an edge and this could be one's education. Just by looking at the credentials, a reflection of a good foundation in education will help the person be considered for the position and as critical as the position of a corporate pilot, educational background is a significant consideration.
The aviation industry opens a number of opportunities to those who are interested in the field thus one needs to enroll in a school that offers standard education in aviation. As such, education in aviation deals with the subjects holistically highlighting the areas with greater significance to the field. Aside from this, adequate experience would also be helpful in dealing with the different issues pertaining to the job. A good foundation in education in aviation will certainly help one acquire a good job that will take one to grater heights and places.

References

Deal, Walter (2005). Aviation Insights: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Millions of People: Millions
of People Fly from City to City or from Nation to Nation and across the Oceans and around
the World Effortlessly and Economically. The Technology Teacher, 65 (1): 14+.

Garland, Daniel; Wise, John; and Hopkin, David (1999). Handbook of Aviation Human Factors.
Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Federal Aviation Administration (1970). Aviation Education. Retrieved April 15, 2008 from, http://government-grants.org/5c9597f3c8245907ea71a89d9d39d08e/webhelp/catalog/programs-20100.html

Federal Aviation Administration (1998). Aviation Careers Series. Retrieved April 15, 2008 from,
http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=work+of+a+corporate+pilot&rd=r1&meta=vc%3Dph&fr=yfp-t-501-s&fp_ip=PH&u=ntl.bts.gov/lib/000/900/938/pilot2.pdf&w=work+working+works+corporate+pilot&d=XPqACPH_Qc50&icp=1&.intl=us