Explorative Study on the Factors Influencing Aviation Education in a Developing Country

Hasan Al Zubayer Rony, Biman Bangladesh Airlines & Green University of Bangladesh
Mohammad Nure Alam Siddique, Associate Professor, Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka

Presented during Session 4: Flight Training

Abstract

This study explores how curriculum, instructional strategies and instructors’ competencies influence aviation education in the context of a developing country. Another purpose of the study is to find out the challenges of aviation education. Aviation education is a comparatively new initiative in developing countries, which consists of Pilot training program, aviation management and aircraft maintenance. This study is limited to only the pilot training program. For this study Bangladesh represents as a developing country which is chosen by convenient sampling. A qualitative multiple case study method has been chosen for finding answers of the research questions. Four classrooms were selected as units of analysis from two flying schools. Classroom observation, interviews with instructors and students were conducted to find out the current scenario of implementation of aviation curriculum in flying schools. Aviation professionals, who are affiliated with international airliners, were interviewed to know the employability of graduates from flying schools of a developing country, required qualities of a pilot and challenges of aviation education in the context of a developing country.

This study finds that the curriculum for pilot training program is not updated which can be improved by incorporating new courses, amending assessment system and collaborating with flying schools of developed countries. The instructional strategies such as taking students to the hanger shows positive outcome but instructors are more inclined to the traditional approaches like lecture method. The pedagogical competencies and teaching strategies of the instructors need improvement which can be done through further training and exchange programs of instructors. It is also found that flying schools have sufficient and updated resources but the instructors are not trained to use those high-tech resources. The schools are not emphasizing on developing the human qualities such as Leadership, Honesty, Integrity, Creativity, Critical-thinking and team work, which are required to become aviation professionals. These qualities are measured using syllabus evaluation, class observations, interviews with students and instructors. These findings suggest various changes which incorporates co-curricular activities and improvisation of methods to enrich the human qualities in aviation schools. There is lack of communication and co-ordination among airliners, flying schools and Civil Aviation Authorities, which is not helping the improvement of the pilot training. Cost of the course and planning of the course are found as challenges for the pilot training in a developing country. The job opportunities in renowned international airlines is very limited due to the training and lack of scopes. The findings of the study can be used to inform the Civil Aviation authority and flying schools to update the curriculum, bring a change in teaching strategies and training of the instructors. This study also informs the civil aviation authority about the challenges of aviation education and ways to overcome the challenges.

 
Aug 14th, 9:00 AM Aug 14th, 10:15 AM

Explorative Study on the Factors Influencing Aviation Education in a Developing Country

Jim W. Henderson Administration & Welcome Center (Bldg. #602)

This study explores how curriculum, instructional strategies and instructors’ competencies influence aviation education in the context of a developing country. Another purpose of the study is to find out the challenges of aviation education. Aviation education is a comparatively new initiative in developing countries, which consists of Pilot training program, aviation management and aircraft maintenance. This study is limited to only the pilot training program. For this study Bangladesh represents as a developing country which is chosen by convenient sampling. A qualitative multiple case study method has been chosen for finding answers of the research questions. Four classrooms were selected as units of analysis from two flying schools. Classroom observation, interviews with instructors and students were conducted to find out the current scenario of implementation of aviation curriculum in flying schools. Aviation professionals, who are affiliated with international airliners, were interviewed to know the employability of graduates from flying schools of a developing country, required qualities of a pilot and challenges of aviation education in the context of a developing country.

This study finds that the curriculum for pilot training program is not updated which can be improved by incorporating new courses, amending assessment system and collaborating with flying schools of developed countries. The instructional strategies such as taking students to the hanger shows positive outcome but instructors are more inclined to the traditional approaches like lecture method. The pedagogical competencies and teaching strategies of the instructors need improvement which can be done through further training and exchange programs of instructors. It is also found that flying schools have sufficient and updated resources but the instructors are not trained to use those high-tech resources. The schools are not emphasizing on developing the human qualities such as Leadership, Honesty, Integrity, Creativity, Critical-thinking and team work, which are required to become aviation professionals. These qualities are measured using syllabus evaluation, class observations, interviews with students and instructors. These findings suggest various changes which incorporates co-curricular activities and improvisation of methods to enrich the human qualities in aviation schools. There is lack of communication and co-ordination among airliners, flying schools and Civil Aviation Authorities, which is not helping the improvement of the pilot training. Cost of the course and planning of the course are found as challenges for the pilot training in a developing country. The job opportunities in renowned international airlines is very limited due to the training and lack of scopes. The findings of the study can be used to inform the Civil Aviation authority and flying schools to update the curriculum, bring a change in teaching strategies and training of the instructors. This study also informs the civil aviation authority about the challenges of aviation education and ways to overcome the challenges.