| Scope and method of study. This study attempted to survey the current status of four-year aviation education programs, and to establish a series of national norms of quality in aviation education. A phone survey was conducted to determine various demographic data, and to survey program coordinators as to factors of high quality non-engineering aviation education. After factors were established a written follow up survey was mailed to program directors at University Aviation Association four-year non-engineering aviation education programs. These factors were then utilized to provide a basis for improvement of the program at Wichita State University (the only four-year aviation education program in Kansas).;Findings and conclusions. This study established that the number one factor, both by citation and ranking by program directors, was the need of a high quality faculty in an aviation education program. An average overall perceived quality ranking on a scale of 1-5 of 4.42 was obtained. The best four-year aviation education program in the United States was the University of North Dakota, while Embry-Riddle University was perceived to have the best Master's degree program. Program directors saw the need for more student centered activities such as student internships. Most aviation programs were found to be small but growing. Recommendations for the improvement based on findings of this study were included for Wichita State University. |
