The second year of Aviation Operations college has begun this week. Next to some subjects we already had last year, we have a couple of new -very interesting- subjects this year; all related to aviation.

One of the things I noticed immediately is the level of the lessons this year, as it is much higher than last year. We’ll get more homework, and we have to pay more attention in class in order to get good grades on the exams. Were last year was almost effortless for most of us, this year will be a challenge!

Some of the new subjects for this year:

Aircraft Performance
One of the most interesting subjects this year will be Aircraft Performance. Today we had our first class, with one of my favorite teachers (a former flight engineer). He isn’t only very well informed about aviation, he’s also very strict. I like that.

Problem guided education
Separated into small groups, every group gets an assignment or problem to solve. In a limited time, the group has to work together to collect information on the Internet, books and by asking professionals. With this information, the group has to find a solution for the problem. By example: There’s an aircraft with an engine failure on an airport somewhere on the world. What has to be done before the plane can leave? What to do with the passengers? And so on. At the end of the education term of eight weeks, every group gets examined.

Navigation
The name explains itself; we have to learn how an aircraft navigates, and how to work with aviation maps.

In opposite what the teachers told us last year, we’ll continue the math and science classes this year, but now we’ll get assignments related to aviation, so it won’t be the boring formula stuff again.

We all have to put some effort in it this year, but it’s definitely worth it.