· High average GPA of graduates.

· High graduation rate of students initially enrolled in Aviation. Currently this rate is at or about 100%.

· Faculty teaching evaluations higher than ENT mean. Student evaluations of faculty classroom performance are consistently higher than those of the mean of the College faculty evaluations. Faculty peer evaluations will be implemented.

· Faculty professional activities. Faculty members have been active in the University Aviation Association, the Council on Aviation Accreditation, and the Committee on Aeronautical Education. Additionally the Department of Aviation and the FAA periodically co-sponsor safety seminars to the local pilot community.

· Public service activities. Faculty and students have participated in a variety of activities such as providing public school tours of the airport and flight training facilities as well as lectures at public schools; presentations to high school guidance counselors regarding the offerings of the Department and the benefits of aviation careers in association with the Committee on Aeronautical Education; and hosting FAA Safety Programs to the local aviation community.

· Professional development courses. Faculty members have developed a workshop in Crew Resource Management for professional pilots.

· Incorporation of case studies in course work. Case studies have been incorporated into some courses to help bridge flight-theory topics with real-world decision-making and experiences. The courses are Aviation Safety and Aviation Weather, as well as the Crew Resource Management workshop.

· FAA stage checks. The FAA 141 program requires progress checks during different stages of each flight course. Students have demonstrated a high pass rate on their first attempt of these stage checks indicating efficient teaching and learning.

· FAA certificates attained. There are published federal standards to which pilot applicants must demonstrate their knowledge and skill for each pilot certificate and rating issued by the FAA. Therefore the Department’s FAA certification flight courses require the student to be evaluated to federal standards through written, oral, and skill tests conducted by a designated representative of the FAA. Our students have demonstrated a high pass rate on their first attempt of their FAA knowledge and skill tests. Majors in the Professional Pilot program obtain FAA pilot and flight instructor certificates and ratings through Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument Airplane.

· High rate of internship acceptance. Internships at numerous airlines and corporate flight departments and other general aviation companies and fixed-base operations are available to aviation students. Companies awarding internships to OU students include United, American, TWA, DHL, US Airways, FlightSafety International, Virginia Aviation and others. Our students enjoy a high percentage of acceptance for these highly competitive programs; an average of three internships are awarded per quarter. (United Airlines interns 40 students a semester from 21 universities; 3 of 4 OU applicants were recently selected.) The department has successfully encouraged the development of paid internships for the students.

· Aviation Advisory Board (AAB) support. The AAB meets annually with the Chair and faculty to review the progress, plans, and direction of the Department. The Board includes industry representatives (such as a Vice President of United Airlines and a NASA-Ames Research Center representative) and corporate and airline pilots as members. In the past two years the AAB has provided financial support to the flight team. The Board supports recent curricular changes and research activities (discussed below).

· Sponsored research participation by faculty and students. Aviation students as well as faculty have had the opportunity to engage in research funded by NASA-Ames Research Center and the FAA. Professionals such as air traffic controllers, airline pilots, and airline dispatchers meet with researchers and students. Over $300,000 has been obtained in support for a 3-year period.

· Feedback loops to students, faculty, and administration with Aviation Day. The Department’s annual Aviation Day provides several opportunities. Representatives from major airlines and the FAA and some AAB members have the opportunity to spend time with students and faculty. Students are able to network, and faculty gain valuable feedback and insight into the future training needs of the airlines and other potential employers. Such feedback provides guidance for areas to emphasize in course work. These special guests also have had the opportunity to meet the University President at either a luncheon or reception.

· Improved graduate survey. A written survey will be provided to graduates one, two, and five years after graduation. In this manner the department will be able to track the progress of our graduates and learn what changes they might recommend to better prepare students for their careers. (A list of questions in the survey is provided in Appendix I.)

· Faculty professional development. Aviation faculty may have added ratings to their pilot certificates, may have published in referred journals, developed workshops, or conducted some other activity that demonstrates professional development.

1. The Aviation Management option was added in order to accommodate those students interested in the numerous non-flying career opportunities in aviation. Under this option students will enroll in many courses offered by the College of Business.

2. Five courses were added to the curriculum: Introduction to Aviation; Aviation Weather; Aviation Safety; General Aviation Operations and Management; and Transition to Industry. Additionally seven existing courses were modified.

3. A minor in meteorology was established with the Department of Geography. This opportunity allows students with an interest in meteorology to take additional courses beyond the minimum required for the degree in aviation.

4. The degree offered has been changed to a B.S. in Aviation to more meaningfully reflect the program content and the careers desired.

· Under what undergraduate option did you graduate?

· Are you employed as a pilot?

· Are you employed in an aviation-related field? Which one?

· How well did your aviation courses prepare you for your career?

· What knowledge areas do you need in your career would you have liked to have had covered in your courses?

· Now that you have been working in the field for __ years, what changes to your curriculum or to any courses might you recommend?

· Do you have a master’s degree?

· Are you now pursuing, or do you plan to pursue, a master’s degree?

· To how many graduate schools did you apply? Of this total, how many accepted you into their program?

· Have you obtained any FAA certificates or ratings since you graduated? Please specify.

· On a scale of 1-10, (with ten as excellent) how would you evaluate your education in the Department of Aviation?

· On a scale of 1-10, (with ten as excellent) how would you evaluate your education at OU?