Designing and Implementation of a Capstone Jet Transition Course in Collegiate Aviation Flight Program Curriculum

Advanced regional jet simulators, specifically the Bombardier and Embraer series, have grown in popularity within the collegiate aviation world over the last two decades. Curricular and program applications for these simulators made way for improvements to advanced systems and crew resource management (CRM) courses, academic research, and student recruiting. At the same time, U.S. airlines, especially at the regional level, encouraged jet transition training for collegiate aviation students entering their domain. Additionally, collegiate aviation programs accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) must have a culminating upper-division experience in flight education, which may include a capstone course. Collegiate aviation programs could now create a capstone course using these jet simulators. Using a regional jet simulator in a capstone course would allow a program to evaluate pilot skills and assess aeronautical decision-making in a crew environment. It would allow a collegiate aviation program to assess its program goals and student learning outcomes and prepare students for the next phase in their aviation career. This paper discusses designing and implementing a capstone jet transition course using a regional jet simulator in collegiate aviation.