• Open to all 9-12th graders (No prerequisites)

Learn to fly a drone and get your commercial UAV License! This course introduces and develops flight control and piloting techniques for common Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platforms, also known as drones. Students learn and demonstrate maneuvers, procedures, and best practices for safe UAS operation on fixed wing and rotary wing systems. Students develop the skills and knowledge required to be a pilot of a UAS in the National Airspace System. Students who are new to aviation will develop functional knowledge in the areas of pilot-in-command responsibilities, aerodynamic principles, aviation meteorology, and the flight environment.

• Open to all 9-12th graders
• This is a recommended course for students participating in the Erie High School Aerospace pathway.
  • Year 2 Semester 2 of Erie High School’s Aerospace pathway within their Academy of Engineering & Aerospace

Build your own airplane!  Utilizing the industry standard Aircraft Design Cycle and fabrication laboratory equipment, students will have the opportunity to engineer and design a UAV recreational and commercial fixed wing and multirotor aircraft to solve a real world problem.

• Open to all 10-12th graders
• Prerequisite: UAS Flight Concepts & Training (CTE83150)

Grow your drone skills by doing real-life projects!  Students get involved with UAS industry related work and support in the Aeronautics program development. Students learn to work on project teams, develop scopes of work, apply engineering principles and design thinking practices, utilize new fabrication equipment, manage contractual and non- contractual based UAS work. Students could option for SVVSD employment. 

• Prerequisite: UAV Engineering (CTE83155)

Build your own industry grade multi-rotor drone! In a one to two semester project of study, students design a new product/process solution through a COTS UAS drone integration approach. Utilizing the design thinking model and Innovation Center technologies, students learn to develop a UAS centered problem and work with the current industry for possible design solutions. This course partners with the IC Entrepreneurial program for student business fundamentals and practices.

• Prerequisite: UAV Engineering (CTE83155)

Build your own industry grade fixed wing drone! In a one- to two-semester project of study, students will design a new product/ process solution through a COTS UAS drone integration approach. Utilizing the design thinking model and innovation center technologies, students will learn to develop a UAS centered problem and work with current industry for possible design solutions. This course partners with the IC Entrepreneurial program for student business fundamentals and practices. 

• Open to all 9th-12th graders
• Aims concurrent enrollment – 3 credits

Learn the history and potential future of flying! Aviation Discovery introduces students to the aviation industry. This course teaches about technologies of the past, present and foreseeable future of aviation and aerospace and prepares students for careers in aviation by creating pathways and developing skills required in the field. We explore from the beginnings of aviation to aviation in the future. There will be a look at the history of airships, aviation pioneers, Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Control, aviation airspace, aviation weather, future aviation and careers in aviation. By the end of this course, we hope students have a great understanding of aviation and the limitless potential of the industry. 

• Open to all students who have completed Pilot Ground 1 (CTE83157) or Aviation Discovery (CTE83160)
• Aims concurrent enrollment – 4 credits

Aviation Meteorology presents the fundamentals of weather as it applies to aviation. Students will demonstrate functional knowledge in the areas of Weather reports and forecasts, Pilot and radar reports, Weather charts, Analyzing available data, to correctly determine if a flight can be completed safely. By the end of this course, students will have a great understanding of weather  and its impacts on aviation.

• Open to all 9th-12th graders

Future pilots: fly towards your dreams! Pilot Ground 1 begins the SVVSD Private Pilot course pathway for students who may be interested in exploring careers in the general aviation industry. This course begins the foundational skill set and knowledge for those students interested in becoming a certified pilot. Students will develop and exhibit aeronautical decision making during all operations of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk with special emphasis on situational awareness, risk and task management, and aircraft control. Students will also demonstrate a basic level of proficiency in flight operations and performance in the areas of preflight preparations and procedures, departure and flight operations, various maneuvers and navigation, instrumentation and post-flight procedures.

• Open to all students who have completed Pilot Ground 1 (CTE83157) or Aviation Discovery (CTE83160)

Future pilots: fly towards your dreams! Pilot Ground 2 continues the SVVSD Private Pilot course pathway for students interested in exploring careers in the general aviation industry. This course develops awareness and skill in aeronautical meteorology, advanced navigation, and day or night cross country flight planning and execution. Students will be introduced to instrument and commercial flying at the basic level and will be able to demonstrate proficient decision making skills in various phases of flight. We will also begin to explore the requirements of training and how to become a professional pilot. The FAA Private Pilot written exam will also be introduced, giving students the opportunity to obtain an industry certificate, if they so choose.

• Open to all students who have completed Pilot Ground 2 (CTE83158) or Aviation Meteorology (CTE83162)
• Aims concurrent enrollment – 4 credits
• Fee for FAA Private Pilot Airplane knowledge exam (optional)

Prepare for flight school with real pilot skills! Private Pilot Ground School presents the fundamentals of aviation for the beginning student pilot which includes a study of a Cessna C-172 Skyhawk and its components, aerodynamics, basic aircraft systems, the airport environment, air-traffic control procedures, Federal Aviation Regulations, the basic elements of air navigation including radio navigation, and aviation weather. This course will prepare the student for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Private Pilot Airplane knowledge examination, an industry certificate that brings them closer to becoming a certified Private Pilot. Students will be able to learn real pilot skills such as precision flying, navigation, procedures, maneuvers, and communications and become proficient in FAA Airmen Certificate Standards (ACS). Students will be prepared to begin flight training at local flight schools and obtain college course credit. 

• Open to all students 10th-12th graders
• IC Aeronautics Concentrator
• Fee for FAA FOI & AGI knowledge exam (optional)
• Prerequisite: Private Pilot Ground School (CTE83165) or equivalent AND Instructor Approval

Students will demonstrate mastery in two areas: Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) and Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI)

FOI reviews the areas of The Learning Process, The Teaching Process, Teaching Methods, Evaluation, Flight Instructor Characteristics and Responsibility, Human Factors, and Planning Instructional Activities By the end of the section, students will be able to pass the FAA Fundamentals of Instructing Knowledge Exam with a minimum score or 70%.

After completing Fundamentals of Instruction, Students will then be able to move on to teach aeronautical knowledge. AGI reviews the areas of Airplanes and Aerodynamics, Airplane Performance, Airplane Instruments, Engines, and Systems, Airports, Airspace and Air Traffic Control, Weight and Balance, Aviation Weather, Federal Aviation Regulations, Navigation, Flight Maneuvers, and Aeromedical Factors. By the end of the section, students will be able to pass the FAA Advanced Ground Instructor Knowledge Exam with a minimum passing score of 70%.

By the end of the course, students will be eligible to be certified FAA Ground Instructors. Student age must be 18 to become certified. These exams expire after 2 years. Students must be at least 16 to take the exams to ensure certification.

The Aero Team works on the design, construction, and application of both manned aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) (drones).