Aeronautics
21 courses · Mt. San Antonio College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
AERO 98 Introduction to Aviation Careers
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- Lecture: 27
Aviation industry career preparation for pilots, air traffic controllers, aircraft dispatchers, aircraft maintenance technicians, flight attendants, airport operation specialists, airport security specialists, and unmanned aircraft specialists. In this course students will explore the fundamentals of aircraft operations, as well as history and development of the aviation industry. Students will also explore and learn the requirements for completing the Associate degree in commercial flight, aviation science, and other degrees. This course is developed in conjunction with industry partners to address emerging industry needs. Field trips may be required for completion of this course.
AERO 100 Primary Pilot Ground School
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture: 72
- Transfers to
- CSU
Aerodynamics, aircraft performance, Federal Aviation Regulations, aviation weather factors, and cross-country navigation procedures; provides introductory material on radio navigation, aeromedical factors, and radio communications procedures. Meets the preparation requirements for the FAA Private Pilot knowledge examination and FAA Air Traffic Control Basics.
AERO 102 Aviation Weather
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 54
- Transfers to
- CSU
Weather elements, atmosphere, weather mechanics, weather disturbances, weather analysis and forecasts. Evaluation of aviation weather reports and forecasts.
AERO 104 Federal Aviation Regulations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 54
- Transfers to
- CSU
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), pertaining to pilot certification, aircraft maintenance, and general operating rules. Air traffic control practices and procedures and reporting of aircraft accidents.
AERO 120A Flying Team Fundamentals - Regionals
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- Lecture: 18, Lab: 27
- Prerequisite
- Member of the Mt. SAC Flying Team
- Advisory
- AERO 100
- Formerly
- AERO 120
Participation in one or more Regional competitions in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA). Instructions in preparatory procedures for these competitions include techniques in aviation academic testing and basic level understanding of flight events. Competition and practice attendance required outside of regularly scheduled class hours. Students who repeat this course will benefit from additional competition experiences. Field trips are required.
AERO 120B Flying Team Fundamentals - Nationals
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- Lecture: 18, Lab: 27
- Prerequisite
- Member of the Mt. SAC Flying Team
- Advisory
- AERO 100
Participation in one or more National, or similar competitions in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Instruction in preparatory procedures for these competitions include techniques for success in precision and accuracy flying for flight events including: air navigation, message drop, and accuracy landings. Competition and practice attendance required outside of regularly scheduled class hours. Students who repeat this course will benefit from additional National, or similar competition experiences. Field trips are required.
AERO 150 Commercial Pilot Ground School
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 54
- Advisory
- AERO 100
- Transfers to
- CSU
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot certification requirements, including aerodynamics, commercial pilot maneuvers, complex aircraft operations, multi-engine aircraft operations, aircraft weight and balance, aircraft performance charts, and radio navigation using advanced instrumentation. Prepares students for completion of the FAA Commercial Pilot Computerized Knowledge Examination.
AERO 152 Air Transportation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 54
- Transfers to
- CSU
Survey course of the air transportation industry. Topics include an introduction to air transportation, structure and economics of the airlines, general aviation operations, and aviation career planning.
AERO 160 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Basic
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture: 54, Lab: 54
- Advisory
- AERO 100
Piloting of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. This class includes instruction toward Remote Pilot certification Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 licensing. Students will receive instruction on the principles of operating unmanned aircraft systems, pre-flight, flight, and post-flight operations and procedures. Meets the preparation requirements for the FAA Remote Pilot knowledge examination. Field trips are required for this course.
AERO 170 Unmanned Aircraft Commercial Operations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 36, Lab: 54
- Prerequisite
- AERO 160
Advanced skills in commercial uncrewed aircraft system operations. Topics include commercial applications of UAS and robotics, safety management, safety policy, risk management, safety culture, emergency preparation, project assessment, flight planning, current regulations and production of customer deliverables.
AERO 180 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Advanced Operations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 36, Lab: 54
- Prerequisite
- AERO 160
Advanced skills in planning and operating unmanned aircraft systems for beyond visual line of sight and nighttime operations. Topics include managing risk, performing flight operations, selecting platforms and sensors. Field trips are required.
AERO 190 Unmanned Aircraft Build
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 36, Lab: 54
- Prerequisite
- AERO 160
Build unmanned aircraft. Use aircraft engineering design processes. Topics include methods and strategies for fabrication of fixed wing and multicopter aircraft, hand tool use, build techniques, materials selection, testing, and troubleshooting. Field trips are required.
AERO 200 Aviation Safety and Human Factors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 54
- Advisory
- AERO 100
- Transfers to
- CSU
Evaluation and analysis of factors leading to aircraft accidents as it relates to the environment of the pilot and air traffic controller.
AERO 202 Aircraft and Engines
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 54
- Advisory
- AERO 100
- Transfers to
- CSU
Aircraft design, subsystems, repair, and maintenance. Principles of internal combustion engines, fuel system, engine construction and design, lubrication and cooling methods, ignition system, and basic troubleshooting. Turbine engine basic design and operational characteristics.
AERO 210 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Advanced
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture: 54, Lab: 54
- Prerequisite
- AERO 160
Advanced skills in operating unmanned aircraft systems. Topics include analyzing flight characteristics, utilizing flight planning software, sensor selection and software use, spectrum analysis, safety practices and risk analysis, incident reporting, and data analysis. Field trips are required.
AERO 250 Navigation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 54
- Advisory
- AERO 100
- Transfers to
- CSU
Dead reckoning navigation procedures. Aeronautical computers and their application in cross-country flying. Use of radio navigation aids, flight planning, flight directors, global positioning system, and electronic flight instrumentation systems.
AERO 252 Instrument Ground School
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 54
- Advisory
- AERO 100 and AERO 102
- Transfers to
- CSU
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), Air Traffic Control communications and procedures, air navigation radio aids, instrument landing systems, flight instruments, aircraft performance, aeronautical publications, instrument approach procedures, IFR cross-country navigation, and instrument weather. Meets the preparation requirements for the FAA Instrument Pilot computerized knowledge exam.
AERO 254 Aircraft Dispatcher Operations
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture: 54, Lab: 54
- Prerequisite
- AERO 100 and AERO 102 and AERO 104 and AERO 150 and AERO 152 and AERO 200 and AERO 202 and AERO 250 and AERO 252
Elements and techniques of aircraft dispatch operations. Includes aircraft dispatcher briefings to a simulated flight crew. This course prepares students to enter employment as a certified aircraft dispatcher in the airline industry, air-medical industry, corporate aircraft operators, and aviation weather service companies. Successful completion of this course enables students to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) written, oral, and practical tests for the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate. Students who pass the FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge Test will qualify to take the FAA Oral and Practical Examination for the FAA aircraft dispatcher certificate.
AERO 256 Flight Instructor Ground School
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 54
- Prerequisite
- AERO 100 and AERO 104 and AERO 150
- Advisory
- AERO 200 and AERO 250
Basic teaching principles and application of those principles in teaching student pilots. Analysis of flight maneuvers and instruments. Prepares students for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) knowledge tests for Flight Instructors.
AERO 258 Large Aircraft Systems
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture: 72
- Advisory
- AERO 252 and AERO 100
This Boeing 737-NG aircraft course is designed for students desiring to become pilots, aircraft dispatchers, or technicians on large aircraft typically flown in the airline industry. Design features and operational characteristics with emphasis on aircraft and engine systems. Off-campus trips are required.
AERO 260 Work Experience in Aeronautics
- Units
- 1-4
- Prerequisite
- Instructor approval and Compliance with Work Experience regulations as designated in the College Catalog.
Provides on-the-job experience in aeronautics at an approved work site which is related to classroom instruction. A minimum of five hours per week of supervised work 54 clock hours per semester is required for each one unit of credit.