Part of the Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology department at Largo High.

Aerospace Engineering is the study of the engineering discipline which develops new technologies for use in aviation, defense systems, and space exploration. The course explores the evolution of flight, fundamentals of flight, navigation and control, aerospace materials, propulsion, space travel, orbital mechanics, ergonomics, remotely operated systems and related careers. In addition the course presents alternative applications for aerospace engineering concepts.

Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology Capstone is a year long course required of all seniors in the AEAT program. Students will work with a mentor in the career field of their choice to develop a culminating projec and produce a paper presenting their research, procedures, findings, and conclusions.

This project-based learning course is for students who have successfully completed Courses 1 and 2. Students will learn about systems such as flight control, remote-control vehicles and the virtual world. Students will learn to fly using flight simulators. They will work collaboratively to propose a shift from a VOR navigation system to a GPS system and determine the cost savings. In addition, students will develop rotor blades for helicopters and design and program an unmanned flying vehicle.

Microsoft Office software applications This course is the support for AEAT seniors to complete a research or design & development senior project. Areas of research include biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and computer science. Requirements include Science Fair Participation, writing of a 5-chapter thesis-type paper, and participation in the Research Practicum (RP) Symposium. Steps of the RP process include topic selection, research design, implementation of research, statistical data analysis, interpretation of research findings, and presentation of research findings. Course topics are Project development, Proposal construction, Technical Writing, Statistics, Ethics, Use of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, information processing, and scientific display of both backboard and poster.

Aerospace Technology is an exploration into flight, space travel, and supporting technologies. Students will use a hands-on approach to study concepts including the history of aviation, aerodynamics, aircraft components, flight conditions, airport and flight operations, space, rocketry, and the aviation and space industries. The course is competency-based and utilizes Design Processes and Software, 3D Printers, Wind Tunnels and Flight Simulators to prepare students for advanced courses.

In the Aircraft Systems and Performance course, students will take an in-depth look at the systems that make manned and unmanned aircraft work. Beginning with aircraft propulsion, students will learn about the different types of engines that produce thrust to propel an aircraft or UAS. They will go on to explore other key aircraft systems, including fuel, electrical, landing gear, and environmental. In order to fly an aircraft safely, students must also learn about the flight instruments associated with each system and how to identify and troubleshoot common problems. This unit also covers airplane flight manuals, the pilot’s operating handbook, and required aircraft documents. Finally, students will learn about the factors that affect aircraft performance and how to determine critical operating data for aircraft.

Students in this capstone course will focus on outer space and underwater applications. During the six projects, they will work collaboratively to design, build and test a laser communication system; develop a plan for space survivability in hostile environments; and utilize software to create a three-dimensional model of a satellite orbit and a team remote vehicle for underwater exploration. Depending on articulation agreements or state policy, students who successfully complete the course may be able to earn dual credit.

History of Aviation and Development of Flight is an introductory course and customized textbook that focuses on the history of aviation and flight. It introduces students to how airplanes fly, how weather conditions affect on flight, the human body and flight, and flight navigation. The course is designed to complement materials taught in math, physics, and other science-related courses and is aligned with the National Science Education Standards, the Math Standards and Expectations, and International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology Standards for students.

Aviation Management is a holistic view of management requirements and techniques applicable to the aviation industry; problems, current issues and future trends related to aviation operations. The course includes management and organizational styles as applied to the industry, changes in the National Airspace System, managerial problems unique to the industry, and proposed acquisition of equipment under NEXGEN innovations.

The Technology Aviation Research Practicum is a one year course designed to assist aviation technology majors in the AEAT program to complete a research or design and development senior project from a specific internship experience. Requirements include STEM Fair Participation, writing of a 5-chapter thesis-type paper, and participation in the AEAT Research Practicum(RP) Symposium. Steps of the ATRP process include topic selection, research design, implementation of research, statistical data analysis, interpretation of research findings, and presentation of research findings. Course topics are Project Development, Proposal Construction, Technical Writing, Statistics,Ethics, use of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Information Processing, and display of both backboard and poster.

This course is designed to allow students time within the school day to conduct out-of-school internship under the guidance of an engineer, scientist or computer scientist in aviation technology. The internship must be at a research facility or approved work site. Students are at the research site 4 days a week and a minimum of 2 3⁄4 hours each day. One day each week, the student is on campus the entire day, assigned to the RP teacher and/or Coordinator for at least one class period. It is the expectation that he internship experience will provide the student with meaningful avenues to explore a topic that can be further developed in the Aviation Technology Research Practicum course. Each student in this internship will be required to maintain daily records of research activity(s) using a prescribed “log book” methodology and develop and maintain electronic and printed copies of a portfolio which includes: description of his/her internship, academic resume/vitae, all components of the 5-chapter RP paper, school report cards, letters of recommendation, and college acceptance letters.