REPORT ON PROGRAMME REVIEW
Part 1
Q3
Programme details
Proposed title
BSc in Management & Aeronautical Studies
Proposing School:
School of Management
Nature and duration of programme
Advanced entry, full-time over one year
DIT award recommended:
BSc in Management & Aeronautical Studies with classifications of
First Class Honours; Second Class Honours Upper Division;
Second Class Honours Lower Division; and Pass
Parallel award sought from other award body None
Professional/external accrediting body
None at present, but proposal to seek accreditation from
the Royal Aeronautical Society was noted by the Panel.
Background
This programme is jointly managed by the Air Corps College, Irish Defence Forces and the School of
Management in DIT. The programme aims to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to lay the
foundations for a professional military pilot career with the award of Military Pilot Wings.
Programme Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the programme the graduate will have the required knowledge and skills to
contribute to operational squadrons’ output in meeting the organisations operational responsibilities.
Graduates will be equipped with a cognitive competence to analyse operational and systemic issues in order
to reach sound decisions, particularly in stressful dynamic situations. The specific learning outcomes for
the programme are specified below.
On successful completion of this programme the graduate will:
 Have detailed knowledge and understanding of a wide range of core topics in aeronautical studies,
including Air Law;; Principles of Flight; Meteorology; Aircraft Performance; Aircraft Flight
Planning & Monitoring; Aircraft Instrumentation; Human Performance and Limitations; Aircraft
Mass and Balance; Aviation Communications; and Aircraft Navigation.
 Able to analyse and apply principles of core topics in aeronautical studies, including Air Law;;
Principles of Flight; Meteorology; Aircraft Performance; Aircraft Flight Planning & Monitoring;
Aircraft Instrumentation; Human Performance and Limitations; Aircraft Mass and Balance;
Aviation Communications; and Aircraft Navigation the context of complex modern aircraft.
 Have knowledge and understanding of the application of Air Frames and Systems; Electrics and
Electronics, Aircraft Power Plant and power plant systems
 Have a detailed knowledge and understanding of Subsonic and Supersonic Aerodynamics and their
influence on aircraft structure and flight performance;
 Have a detailed knowledge and understanding of the core issues relating to the Principles of Radio
Navigation and Radio Propagation;
 Have a detailed knowledge and understanding of air traffic management from a theoretical and
practical prospective;
 Have an understanding of the theory, concepts and methods pertaining to National and International
Law, Conventions, Agreements and Organisations;
 Have a knowledge and understanding of Aircraft System Design, Loads, Stresses and Maintenance
practices and procedures of mechanical and avionic systems;
 Have detailed knowledge and understanding of the theory and concepts associated with Mass and
Balance Considerations;
 To carry out Aircraft Performance calculations;
 Exercise appropriate judgement in a number of complex planning, design, technical and
management functions relating to aircraft performance;
 Demonstrate a mastery of all aspects of flight planning for flights conducted under Visual and
Instrument Flight Rules;
1







Be proficient in cockpit management principles and procedures;
Have demonstrated confidence and skill in exercising a wide range of flying skills, including
aerobatic flying, Low Altitude Navigation, High Altitude Instrument Flying, Night Flying and
Flying in Close Formation;
Have the ability to make critical decisions in the execution of emergency procedures;
Have demonstrated the ability to carry out a research project under supervision, involving the
description of a research topic, the formulation and implementation of solutions, an appreciation of
the significance of the project outcomes and effective communication of the outcomes;
Have demonstrated the ability to participate as member of a team in the solution of a problem, both
as team-leader and as team member, to identify the knowledge required to solve the problem, and
to critically evaluate their own contribution to the work of the team;
Have demonstrated the ability to work satisfactorily under supervision in a military aeronautical
setting, to relate the activity of that organisation to their field of study and report on the activity of
others;
Have developed a view of the relevance of their field of study to the wider aviation industry and to
society at large.
All graduates will be expected to have both the academic competency and physical skills necessary to be
able to act on a number of different professional levels both on the ground and in the air. In addition, all
graduates will be expected to take significant responsibility in the areas of leadership and management,
particularly in an air environment. Graduates will be expected to self-evaluate and take responsibility for
the continuing professional development of both themselves and subordinates in a workplace setting. It is
anticipated that all graduates will have a broad perspective to be able to scrutinise and reflect on social and
military norms and relationships and to act appropriately and professionally at all times.
Programme structure This advanced entry programme will be offered on a full-time basis.
Minimum Entry Requirements:
As an advanced entry programme, all candidates must have completed An Officer Cadetship in the Military
College and be a serving Commissioned Officer. The Panel noted the rigorous selection process for entry
onto the Officer Cadetship. In addition, the Air Corps Cadetship entry process involves additional robust
selection processes, which include specific aptitude tests, psychomotor tests and personality profiling.
In addition to being a serving Commissioned Officer, applicants must also have successfully completed the
military flying course on a single engine aircraft together with successful completion of the Joint Aviation
Authority Airline Transport Pilot theoretical knowledge ground school syllabus. These elements are
considered to be part of a Bridging Studies element for admission to the BSc (Hons) programme.
Exemptions to individual components of the programme will be considered on a case by case basis and may
be offered on a module by module basis, subject to the agreement of both Joint Chairpersons for the
programme.
Student assessment
In accordance with DIT Modular Scheme Assessment Regulations. However the following derogations
will apply.
The modules relating to the Military Flying Training component of the programme are assessed on
Pass/Fail basis only, in accordance with Aviation regulations and International Best Practice for Military
Pilot Training. In addition, only three attempts are allowed for the examinable components of these
modules.
Part 2
Review details and membership of panel
Dates of Review Event
18th June 2007
Programme of visit to the Air Corps College
2
Monday 18th June 2007
08.00 hrs
Introductory meeting of Validation Panel with staff from the Air Corps College and DIT
staff members as appropriate for an overview of the proposed programme
08.30 hrs
Private meeting of Panel to discuss and draw up an agenda of matters to be raised at
subsequent meetings.
09.00 hrs
Meeting of Panel with staff from the Air Corps College and DIT staff members as
appropriate to discuss specific issues raised by the Panel. This session dealt with
programme management issues and other matters such as syllabuses, teaching methods and
assessment issues.
10.30 hrs
Panel visited facilities available to the Programme at Flying Training School, Air Corps
College (Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel) and in the Cadet School, Military College in
the Defence Forces Training Centre (Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare).
13.00 hrs
Lunch
14.00 hrs
Private meeting of Panel to consider draft report
15.30 hrs
Final meeting of Panel with the with staff from the Air Corps College and DIT staff
members as appropriate to orally present the Panel’s findings
Composition of Review Panel
Internal Members:
Mr. Tom Corrigan (Chair)
School of Mechanical & Transport Engineering
Ms. Mary Prendergast
School of Management, Faculty of Business
Mr. Tom Dunne
School of Real Estate & Construction Economics
External Members
Mr. Muiris Kennedy
Marketing Director, Bord Bia
Officer:
Ms. Sharon Feeney, Academic Quality Assurance Officer
Part 3
Comments on documentation and arrangements for event
Documentation provided: Programme document, including critical appraisal, programme structure, and
rationale of the programme, as well as core component and staff details
Briefing notes provided: Extracts from the Handbook for Quality Enhancement, setting out procedures
and other matters associated with the validation.
Recommendations of Panel in relation to award sought
The Panel is pleased to recommend that Academic Council approve the programme, for the award of BSc
(Honours) in Management and Aeronautical Studies with classifications of First Class Honours, Second
Class Honours, Upper Division; Second Class Honours Lower Division, and Pass with no conditions or
recommendations attached.
Observations on the programme:
The Panel were impressed with by the facilities and learning resources available to students in the Air
Corps College and noted that these will be supplemented further by students having access to all DIT
learning resources.
3