NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: Aviation General Studies
NCTC course designation: AERM 1208, AERM 1303, AIRP 1313
US Aviation course designation: GAF 102
Semester/Year of course: Fall 2025
Semester start and end dates: October 14- December 13
Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Face to Face
Class meeting location, days, and times: US Aviation Academy, 4850 Spartan Dr. Denton, Tx 76207, Mon-Thur 9:30 am – 4:00pm
Lab meeting location, days, and times: US Aviation Academy, 4850 Spartan Dr. Denton, Tx 76207, Mon-Thur 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
In this class students will study the concepts of aircraft weight and balance and understand the effects of weight and balance on the proper operation of an aircraft, the student will weigh an aircraft, perform weight and balance computations using typical forms, graphs, charts and manufacturer's data. The students will also discuss and fabricate aircraft fluid lines and fittings and their installation in the aircraft. Students gain basic knowledge and skills in the use of basic mechanics hand tools, hardware and safety methods, in addition the principles of nondestructive testing including eddy current, ultrasonic, magnetic particle and dye penetrant procedures are taught. The student’s use of precision measurement equipment including micrometers, calipers and dial indicators. Student will explore the concepts of aircraft ground operations and servicing to include basic fueling procedures and taxi and airport operations. In addition the students will study aircraft cleaning and corrosion control methods and techniques. Student’s will read, select, and use FAA and manufacturer's aircraft maintenance specifications, data sheets, manuals, publications, technical data, related Federal Aviation Regulations and aircraft records keeping. The student will also study maintenance human factors which affect aircraft maintenance as well as mechanics privileges and limitations. Students discuss basic welding operations to include soldering brazing and gas welding. Additionally they will select and apply finishing materials and identify finish defects. Finally, the students will study the principle of operation of airframe ice and rain control systems. To maintain satisfactory academic progress, the student must obtain 70% minimum passing grade in the course. Prerequisite: GEN101
Course prerequisites: NCTC designated, if required. US Aviation GEN 101.
Required course materials:
Print books provided by US Aviation. Electronic downloaded by the student on their US Aviation authorized electronic device.
2. FAA-H-8083-31B, Volume 1 & 2, Aviation Maintenance Technician HandbookAirframe
3. Electronic: Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook-General Workbook
4. Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook-Airframe Workbook
7. Print: Aviation Mechanic Handbook
8. Print: General Test Guide
Name of instructor: Mr. Jim Babits
Office location: 4850 Spartan Dr. Denton, Tx. 76207
Telephone number: 214-418-4687
Email address: jbabits@usaviationacademy.com
Office hours for students: Mon-Thur: 7:30am-9:00 Fri: 7:30-11:00am
SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER
The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
List of graded assignments: Minimum of 4 tests, number of quizzes determined by instructor, minimum of 27 projects. Multiple reading assignments are assigned, but not graded. These reading assignments are mandatory for subject matter comprehension. NOTE: Passing per NCTC standards does not necessarily mean passing per FAA standards.
Weight & Balance, Fluid Lines & Fittings, Materials & Process: Minimum 1 test, 11 projects
Ground Ops, Servicing, Cleaning & Corrosion Control: Minimum 1 test, 5 projects
Maintenance Forms, Records, Mechanic Privileges & Limits: Minimum 1 test, 4 projects
Welding, Aircraft Finishes, Ice & Rain Control Systems: Minimum 1 test, 7 projects
Final grade scale: NCTC courses AERM 1208 and AERM 1303 make up US Aviation’s GAF 102 course. The student will receive a grade for each NCTC course and one final grade for US Aviation’s GAF 102 course. The final US Aviation grade will determine if the student meets the FAA requirements for advancement to the next course. It is possible to pass a NCTC course and fail the US Aviation course. Conversely, it is possible to fail a NCTC course and pass the US Aviation course. The overall US Aviation Academy grade is determined in accordance with its FAA approved quality control manual. This manual is available to all students through the US Aviation online student Sharepoint portal. Failure of the US Aviation course will require a complete retake of all applicable NCTC courses.
US Aviation Academy’s grading criteria for the final GAF 102 grade is explained in its FAA approved quality control manual. This manual is available to all students through the US Aviation online student Sharepoint portal.
The NCTC course grades are calculated as follows: 70% of the shop grade plus 30% of the theory grade = Final NCTC grade. This grade must be a 70 or higher. Shop and theory grades are defined in US Aviation Academy’s quality control manual.
Late work policy: There is no late work. There are strict attendance policies in place for this course. Absences and tardiness can result in failure of the course. Any missed assignments, tests, quizzes, projects and class time must be made up in accordance with US Aviation Academy’s FAA Part 147 approved quality control manual. This manual is available to the student in the US Aviation student online Sharepoint.
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
Academic Integrity Policy:
Cheating is not tolerated on tests, quizzes, homework, or projects. Although many aspects of the curriculum may be collaborative in nature, US Aviation Academy will consider a student who copies others work on a project or homework without consent and contribution to be cheating. A student found to be cheating on a quiz, homework, or project will receive an automatic zero on that item. Tests are never collaborative and must be completed on the student’s own without any unauthorized materials, including cell phones, tablets, etc. A student caught cheating on a test will receive a zero but may use their retake for the course to score up to an 80%. A record of cheating is placed in the student file both in the form of the test and noted in the comments on UAA05 grade and attendance form. Any student caught cheating on a second test in a course will be automatically dropped from the course. To receive credit, they must retake the entire course. Any student caught cheating a third time, after re-enrolling in the course, will be terminated from US Aviation Academy and unable to enroll again for 1 year.
Artificial Intelligence Policy: No use of artificial intelligence allowed.
Attendance Policy: Outlined in US Aviation Academy’s FAA Part 147 approved quality control manual. This manual is available to the student in the US Aviation student online Sharepoint. There are strict attendance policies in place for this course. Absences and tardiness can result in failure of the course.
Withdrawal Policy: A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.
Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: Outlined in US Aviation Academy’s FAA Part 147 approved quality control manual. This manual is available to the student in the US Aviation student online Sharepoint.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Unit 1: Weight & Balance, Fluid Lines & Fittings, Materials & Process
Objectives: Given classroom instruction and related materials the student will be able to satisfactorily:
2. Perform complete weight-and-balance check and record data.
3. Fabricate and install rigid and flexible fluid lines and fittings.
4. Identify and select appropriate nondestructive testing methods
5. Perform dye penetrant, eddy current, ultrasonic, and magnetic particle inspections.
6. Perform basic heat-treating processes.
7. Identify and select aircraft hardware and materials.
8. Inspect and check welds.
9 Perform precision measurements.
Unit 2: Ground Operations & Servicing, Cleaning & Corrosion Control
Objectives: Given classroom instruction and related materials the student will be able to satisfactorily:
1. Start, ground operate, move, service, and secure aircraft and identify typical ground operation hazards.
2. Identify and select fuels.
3. Identify and select cleaning materials.
4. Inspect, identify, remove, and treat aircraft corrosion and perform aircraft cleaning.
Unit 3: Maintenance Forms & Records, Maintenance Publications, Mechanics Privileges and Limitations
Objectives: Given classroom instruction and related materials the student will be able to
1. Write descriptions of work performed including aircraft discrepancies and corrective actions using typical aircraft maintenance records.
2. Complete required maintenance forms, records, and inspection reports.
3. Demonstrate ability to read, comprehend, and apply information contained in FAA and manufacturers' aircraft maintenance specifications, data sheets, manuals, publications, and related Federal Aviation Regulations, Airworthiness Directives, and Advisory material.
5. Exercise mechanic privileges within the limitations prescribed by part 65 of this chapter.
Unit 4: Welding, Aircraft Finishes, Ice & Rain Control Systems
Objectives: Given classroom instruction and related materials the student will be able to
1. Weld magnesium and titanium.
2. Solder stainless steel.
3. Fabricate tubular structures.
4. Solder, braze, gas-weld, and arc-weld steel.
5. Weld aluminum and stainless steel.
6. Apply trim, letters, and touchup paint.
7. Identify and select aircraft finishing materials.
8. Apply finishing materials.
9. Inspect finishes and identify defects.
10. Inspect, check, troubleshoot, service, and repair airframe ice and rain control systems.
Empirical and quantitative analysis