A STUDY OF COLLEGE LEVEL ACADEMIC COURSES FOR AIRPORT MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL (AVIATION, AEROSPACE, FLIGHT)

The purpose of this research was to determine and compare the responses of public use airport managers in Arizona, New York, North Carolina, and Ohio to an opinionnaire developed for the study. Specific areas investigated were the academic courses most desirable for a future airport manager, if a college degree was important, and should the airport manager have experience as a pilot or mechanic.;A review of the related literature indicated that post-secondary education in aviation and airport management was important to practicioners. It was also found that colleges and universities are becoming more involved in aviation education.;The 298 public use airport managers selected for the study included 108 members of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and 190 non-AAAE members. Each potential respondent received a survey packet which included the opinionnaire and supporting documents.;A total of 103 of the 298 potential respondents returned their opinionnaires. The respondents had an average age of 44.2 years, were 91% male, had been in their present position an average of 8.1 years, and had been in airport management an average of 11.5 years. Additional information from the respondents included their highest academic degree, their major, and the aviation activity and the Federal Aviation Administration facilities at the airport that they were responsible for managing.;The study revealed that there was agreement among the sample as to whether many of the suggested academic courses should be included in the collegiate preparation of future airport managers. A suggested academic major could include Airport Operation, Airport Internship, Airport Planning, Aviation Law, Aviation Safety, Management, Finance, Economics, Accounting, and Labor Relations. Additional courses that could be considered as a minor or support area include Marketing, Air Transportation, Computer Operation, Business Law, Passenger Operations, Aeronautics, Insurance, Air Traffic Control, Statistics, National Airspace, Air Cargo Handling, Air Carrier Operation, and Aviation Insurance.;The importance of a college degree and a recommended college major of business or aviation was determined. The respondents indicated that it was important that the airport manager had experience as a pilot.