Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

The standards and/or benchmarks for this program were updated for the 2026-27 academic year.

Program Title:	Aviation Administration
Career Cluster:	Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Associate in Science	
CIP Number	1649010403	
Program Type	College Credit	
Program Length	60 credit hours	
CTSO	SkillsUSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	For program SOC codes, please see the Program and Course Tables section of the CTE Program Resources page linked below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics  career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics career cluster. 

The purpose of this program is to prepare students who are seeking employment in the aviation/airline/airport fields.  Some of the students will able to obtain opportunities in the federal, state and local government aviation fields, while others will find opportunities in airline fields, such as initial entry level jobs in customer service and operations and air cargo as well as lower to middle level management positions.  Others will find positions in supporting aviation entities, such as suppliers and service providers to airlines, government aviation agencies, air traffic control, and aircraft dispatch. 

The aviation-specific content covered by this framework includes, but is no limited to airport facility equipment, ground equipment; aircraft operating requirements/limitations, navigational equipment, aviation weather reports and conditions, air traffic control equipment/procedures; customer service information technology tools, Federal Aviation Administration regulations, and air cargo ground handling equipment and procedures.

The general administrative content covered in this framework includes but is not limited to, communication skills, leadership skills, directing, planning and controlling, human relations and employability skills, safe and efficient work practices, technical skills such as aircraft and ground equipment operations and terminology, records management, security issues.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 60 credit hours.

When developing the course sequence for the local implementation of this program, select courses that:
•	Meet the skill development requirements of the standards and benchmarks of this program.
•	Meet the general education core course requirements of Rule 6A-14.0303, Florida Administrative Code.
•	Where reasonable and practicable, align with programs offered by your institution or other postsecondary institutions in Florida, including: 
o	Related CCC and ATD credentials.
o	Baccalaureate degrees within the same career pathway and/or Federal CIP code.

Visit FloridaShines’ Discover Programs website to identify other institutions that offer similar programs to review their course sequencing. Where appropriate, course alignment between institutions offering related programs can facilitate interagency student articulation.

Visit FloridaShines’ Common Prerequisites Manual to identify courses that are prerequisites for admission into an upper division program.  When sub-baccalaureate courses are aligned to the course admissions requirements of baccalaureate programs with the same career pathway, students can enter upper division coursework seamlessly.   

Florida’s Career Readiness Skills for CTE Programs

Employability Skills	
01.0	Apply academic skills to workplace scenarios.	
01.01	Use reading skills.	
01.02	Use writing skills.	
01.03	Use mathematical strategies and procedures.	
01.04	Use scientific principles and procedures.	
02.0	Design a solution to an industry problem.	
02.01	Use critical thinking.	
02.02	Use creativity.	
02.03	Make sound decisions.	
02.04	Solve problems.	
02.05	Reason. 	
02.06	Plan and organize.	
03.0	Manage resources within an industry project	
03.01	Manage time.	
03.02	Manage money or resources.	
03.03	Manage materials.	
03.04	Manage personnel.	
04.0	Oversee the subcomponents, operations and output of a technical or organizational system.	
04.01	Manage systems.	
04.02	Monitor systems.	
04.03	Improve systems.	
05.0	Use information for decision making.	
05.01	Locate information.	
05.02	Organize information.	
05.03	Use information.	
05.04	Analyze information.	
05.05	Communicate information.	
06.0	Apply relevant technology to workplace scenarios to aid productivity.	
06.01	Use technology.	
07.0	Interpret and express interpersonal communication.	
07.01	Communicate verbally.	
07.02	Listen actively.	
07.03	Comprehend written material.	
07.04	Convey information in writing.	
07.05	Communicate nonverbally.	
07.06	Interpret nonverbal communication.	
08.0	Interact with others to accomplish workplace goals.	
08.01	Collaborate with others in a team.	
08.02	Respond to customer needs.	
08.03	Exercise leadership.	
08.04	Negotiate to resolve conflict.	
08.05	Respect others.	
09.0	Manage personal behavior to maximize productivity and professional growth.	
09.01	Demonstrate responsibility and self-discipline.	
09.02	Adapt and show flexibility.	
09.03	Work independently.	
09.04	Demonstrate a willingness to learn.	
09.05	Demonstrate integrity.	
09.06	Demonstrate professionalism.	
09.07	Take initiative.	
09.08	Display positive attitude.	
09.09	Take responsibility for professional growth.	
Job Attainment	
10.0	Find, assess and apply to job opportunities.	
10.01	Identify online job posts relevant to his or her career aspirations.	
10.02	Compare and contrast the job posts’ required qualifications, job duties, compensation, benefits and employers. 	
10.03	Define what information, documentation and writing prompts are required for the positions.	
11.0	Communicate personal competence, character and fit for a job opportunity.	
11.01	Develop a resume.	
11.02	Write a cover letter.	
11.03	Curate a professional portfolio that includes work products.	
11.04	Prepare for and experience a mock job interview.	
12.0	Cultivate and leverage relationships to professionally advance.	
12.01	Request a signed reference letter, letter of recommendation and/or an online skill/professionalism endorsement. 	
12.02	Develop a plan to cultivate a professional digital footprint.	
12.03	Develop a networking plan for a specific industry of interest.	

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate an understanding of basic aviation terminology and history.
02.0	Demonstrate effective communication skills.
03.0	Demonstrate an understanding of aviation operations practices, limitations and procedures.
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of federal, state and other governmental laws, rules and policies as they relate to aviation.
05.0	Demonstrate an understanding of aviation and airport management practices.
06.0	Demonstrate an understanding of aviation security.
07.0	Demonstrate an understanding of aviation/airline marketing, customer service/sales, and reservations/ticketing.
08.0	Demonstrate an understanding of fundamentals of flight.
09.0	Demonstrate an understanding of meteorology.
10.0	Demonstrate an understanding of aviation safety and human factors, including accident prevention.
11.0	Demonstrate an understanding of air traffic control procedures and policies.
12.0	Demonstrate an understanding of air cargo operations and procedures.
13.0	Demonstrate employability skills. 

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Aviation Administration
CIP Numbers:	1649010403
Program Length:	60 credit hours

At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate an understanding of basic aviation terminology and history.  The student will be able to:	
01.01	Explain the overall scope and breadth of the aviation industry including its impact on the economy.	
01.02	Distinguish the terms and vocabularies that are used in the aerospace and commercial aviation industry.	
01.03	Describe the history of technological, governmental, social and economic developments of aviation.	
01.04	Explain the different types and categories of aircraft in use in the industry by distinguishing and identifying:  Various wide body, narrow body types and general aviation aircraft. 	
01.05	Demonstrate an understanding of the oversight role of the Federal Government and its effect on the aviation industry. 	
02.0	Demonstrate effective communication skills.  The student will be able to:	
02.01	Write logical and understandable statements, or phrases, to accurately fill out forms/invoices commonly used in business and industry.	
02.02	Read and understand graphs, charts, diagrams and tables commonly used in this industry/occupational area.	
02.03	Read and follow written and oral English instructions.	
02.04	Answer and ask questions coherently and concisely.	
02.05	Read critically by recognizing assumptions and implications and by evaluating ideas.	
02.06	Demonstrate appropriate communications skills.	
02.07	Demonstrate knowledge and use of appropriate computer skills.	
02.08	Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills.	
02.09	List the more common labels found in the Restricted Articles Regulations: as published in bulletins by International Air Transport Association (IATA).	
03.0	Demonstrate an understanding of aviation operations practices, limitations and procedures.  The student will be able to:	
03.01	Demonstrate knowledge of aircraft systems as they apply to flight operations. 	
03.02	Understand the various factors of aircraft performance, including takeoff, enroute and landing limitations.	
03.03	Demonstrate knowledge of the function of flight operations, including pilot hiring, training, standards, safety issues, security issues, FAA and TSA regulations, documentation requirements, operations specifications, operating within the ATC system, and crew scheduling as well as flight attendant and aircraft dispatcher requirements.	
03.04	Describe maintenance operations and their role and effect on flight operations.	
03.05	Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the flight operations professional in the economic and planning functions.	
03.06	Explain FAA requirements such as flight standards, types of certificates, training and record keeping, surveillance, and investigations, as well as the operator’s response and its relationship with the FAA. 	
03.07	Describe the role of the National Transportation Safety Board in accident investigation, NASA’s role in aviation safety reporting systems and research, and industry-specific safety reporting programs.	
03.08	Demonstrate knowledge of the application of information technology systems in flight operations as they relate to flight planning systems, flight management systems, satellite communication and navigation systems, weight and balance, maintenance monitoring, and management information systems.	
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of federal, state and other governmental laws, rules and policies as they relate to aviation.  The student will be able to:	
04.01	Demonstrate knowledge of the history and foundations of the legal and court system in the United States as it pertains to development of aviation law and regulations.	
04.02	Explain the role and function of the U.S. DOT, FAA, TSA, and the NTSB as it relates to their legal responsibilities and authority.	
04.03	Demonstrate knowledge of airmen rights and responsibilities, negligence, FAA enforcement, immunity, and degrees of care.	
04.04	Explain state aviation law, relating to airports, fixed based operators, aircraft sales, registration, and taxation issues.	
04.05	Demonstrate knowledge of the legal matters relating to the aircraft manufacturing and airline industry, including warranties, products liability, negligence, accident litigation, labor, and consumer issues.	
04.06	Demonstrate knowledge of international air law, bilateral and multilateral agreements, international jurisdiction, and limits of liability and damages.	
04.07	Demonstrate knowledge of legal issues that relate to aviation security.	
05.0	Demonstrate an understanding of aviation and airport management practices.  The student will be able to:	
05.01	Describe how historical and current changes in competition, social factors, government policies, and technology affect aviation and airport management.	
05.02	Demonstrate understanding of organizational design and functional areas of an aviation business. 	
05.03	Demonstrate understanding of the various functions of an airport, including airside and landside operations and management, financial planning, airport master plans, environmental issues, and land use.	
05.04	Describe the factors of effective communication, leadership styles, and motivating employees in an aviation environment with an emphasis on individual performance.	
05.05	Demonstrate an understanding of labor relations contract negotiations, and the grievance process in an aviation environment, including issues specific to airline labor relations.	
05.06	Explain how strategic planning and control processes are used in the aviation industry.	
06.0	Demonstrate an understanding of aviation security.  The student will be able to:	
06.01	Describe aviation security threats and responses. 	
06.02	Discuss aspects of aviation security, such as the Homeland Security Act 2002, Aviation Safety and Security Act of 2001, and FAR Parts 108 and 109.	
06.03	Describe the components of a layered aviation security system, including personnel selection and training, and performance of security personnel.	
06.04	Explain the importance of planning for security threats, and having contingency plans and responsive measures.	
06.05	Explain the ground security measures and technology, including restricted access, inspections of personnel, baggage and goods, and effective screening techniques.	
06.06	Discuss inflight threats and security procedures.	
07.0	Demonstrate an understanding of aviation/airline marketing, customer service/sales, and reservations/ticketing.  The student will be able to:	
07.01	Explain the Marketing Concept and how it differs from the Product and Sales Concepts.	
07.02	Analyze the various environmental factors that affect aviation/airline marketing.	
07.03	Demonstrate an understanding of market demographics, segmentation, methods of market research and analysis, and pricing strategies.	
07.04	Analyze why a customer buys a particular product or service.	
07.05	Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the media available for aviation industry advertising and promotion.	
07.06	Describe the factors of delivering quality customer service, why companies lose customer, and how to salvage a bad customer experience.	
07.07	Explain the principles of reservations, ticketing, internet sales, e-ticketing, and travel agency functions. 	
08.0	Demonstrate an understanding of fundamentals of flight.  The student will be able to:	
08.01	Name and compare the four forces of flight.	
08.02	Describe an airfoil.	
08.03	Explain how lift is produced.	
08.04	Discuss how and why an airplane stalls and spins.	
08.05	Describe and explain how pitot/static vacuum, pressure and engine instruments work.	
08.06	Explain factors affecting aircraft design, performance, and operation.	
09.0	Demonstrate understanding of meteorology.  The student will be able to:	
09.01	Describe the composition, circulation and stability of the atmosphere.	
09.02	Demonstrate an understanding of air mass development, the movement of fronts and their effect on aviation.	
09.03	Demonstrate an awareness of weather hazards to aviation and an understanding of how to avoid them.	
09.04	Demonstrate the ability to access weather information prior to and during flights through a variety of media.	
09.05	Interpret printed reports, forecasts and graphic weather products.	
10.0	Demonstrate an understanding of aviation safety and human factors, including accident prevention.  The student will be able to:	
10.01	Describe the nature of human factors and sources of errors.	
10.02	Discuss the issues of fatigue, body rhythms and sleep. 	
10.03	Describe the effects of fitness and health on human performance. 	
10.04	Discuss how motivation and leadership affects safety in aviation.	
10.05	Discuss the role of training devices and education in reducing errors and increasing safety.	
10.06	Describe how the physical layout of displays and controls and space relate to human factors errors.	
10.07	Explain how documentation problems such as manuals and checklists, maps and charts can cause safety issues.	
10.08	Describe how an aviation safety program is designed to create an environment of safety awareness and accident prevention.	
10.09	Describe the importance of effective single-pilot and crew resource management skills, as well as dispatcher resource management skills.	
11.0	Demonstrate an understanding of air traffic control procedures and policies.  The student will be able to:	
11.01	Discuss the basic terminology and communications phraseology that is used in air traffic control.	
11.02	Describe airspace classifications that are used in air traffic control.	
11.03	Discuss separation of aircraft requirements.	
11.04	Demonstrate an understanding of the Federal Aviation Regulations that apply to air traffic control.	
11.05	Explain aircraft characteristics and recognition.	
11.06	Describe instrument procedures, for departure, arrival and for IFR flight plans.	
11.07	Discuss the weather hazards to aircraft, including wake turbulence, downbursts and restrictions to visibility.	
11.08	Review ATC Clearances, including their purpose and the different types of ATC clearances, the appropriate sequence and pilot responsibilities for compliance.	
11.09	Describe the fundamentals of radar, including information about primary and secondary radar systems.  	
11.10	Explain strip marking (radar and non-radar), including the basic outline for strip marking and the associated symbologies for Enroute, Terminal, and Flight Service Options.	
11.11	Explain non-radar procedures, including horizontal and vertical separation, timed approaches.	
12.0	Demonstrate an understanding of air cargo operations and procedures.  The student will be able to:	
12.01	Describe the importance of air cargo to the economy.	
12.02	Describe air cargo customers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and how marketing is done in the air cargo industry.	
12.03	Explain the different classes of air cargo, and the required documentation of each.	
12.04	Describe and discuss cargo packaging and how cargo is loaded on an aircraft.	
12.05	Describe HAZMAT classification, labeling, packaging, shipping requirements, and related incident/accident procedures and required reports.	
12.06	Describe the security requirements for air cargo personnel, facilities, and aircraft.	
13.0	Demonstrate employability skills.  The student will be able to:	
13.01	Describe positions available and requirements for careers in aviation administration.	
13.02	Describe qualification and certification requirements for careers in aviation administration.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

General Education Course Requirements for AS and AAS Degrees

State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.030(4), F.A.C., identifies 15 credit hours as the minimum amount of general education coursework required in the Associate of Science (AS) degree and the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.  In addition, Rule 6A-14.0303, F.A.C., implements s. 1007.25, F.S., and requires students entering a technical education degree program in the 2022-2023 academic year, and thereafter, to complete at least one identified core course in each subject area as part of the general education course requirements (15 credit hours total) before a degree is awarded) The core subject areas include: 
•	Communication. 
•	Humanities.
•	Mathematics. 
•	Natural Sciences.
•	Social Sciences.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

CTSOs are co-curricular career and technical student organizations providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. Other CTSOs not listed in this curriculum framework or recognized by the Florida Department of Education are permissible provided they support student mastery over the standards and benchmarks of this curriculum framework.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Certificate Programs

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).  This AS degree program includes the following College Credit Certificates:

	Air Cargo Management (0649010404) – 16 credit hours
Airline/Aviation Management (0649010403) – 16 credit hours
	Airport Management (0649010405) – 16 credit hours
	Passenger Agent (0649010406) – 16 credit hours

Standards for the above certificate programs are contained in separate curriculum frameworks.