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An analysis of student programmatic delays in postsecondary flight training programs: A national study
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the number of University Aviation Association (UAA) member postsecondary institutions that were experiencing student delays in flight certification. Such delays can lead to increased costs for the student, the failure to complete the intended academic program, and an interruption in career progression. This study queried the aviation program administrators of UAA member flight institutions to determine the extent of the problem. Through a questionnaire, the researcher determined whether a relationship existed between student flight curriculum progress and certain identified factors at those institutions. A survey instrument was used to obtain responses to questions such as: the level of flight student progress delays, institutional policies regarding prepayment for flight services, the number of students failing to complete their flight training in the semester predicated by the syllabus, the impact of weather and finances, the use of ground-based training devices, and institutional policies relating to flight student incomplete grades. The study revealed that approximately 88% of the respondents noted that they were experiencing a problem with flight student progress delays at their institution. The research indicated that institutional financial policies, such as the formal determination of flight student finances in advance of each semester, were factors in reducing "Major" progress delays. The use of simulation or ground-based training devices was associated with a reduction in the flight progress delays. Flight instructor turnover was not a substantial factor in the student training delays. No relationship was noted between the incidence of flight student progress delays and the level of degree offered at the postsecondary institutions. A larger percentage of the flight student progress delays were classified as "Major" at two-year rather than at four-year institutions.
Subject Area
School administration|Educational software|Curricula|Teaching|Vocational education
Recommended Citation
Bryan, Jon Lance, "An analysis of student programmatic delays in postsecondary flight training programs: A national study" (1996). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI9638936.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI9638936