Instructional Programs


Academic and Technical Standards


Davis Aerospace Technical High School bases its core curricular choices on the standards-based Michigan Curriculum Framework, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements. The maintenance curriculum is aligned and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.


Graduation Requirements

NOTE: The following graduation requirements incorporated recent changes in required courses by the Board of Education:

Credit hour Equivalent Required Courses
40      =       4 years       English 1 - 8
30      =       3 years       Mathematics (Including Algebra 1 & 2 & Geometry 1 & 2)
30      =       3 years       Science (Biology, Physical Science, Chemistry, Physics
20      =       2 years       World Languages
05      =       1/2 year       Geography (11th Graders)
05      =       1/2 year       Global Issues (11th Graders)
10      =       1 year       U.S. History 1865 -- 1995 (Ninth Graders)
05      =       1/2 year       Government (10th Graders)
05      =       1/2 year       Economics (10th Graders)
10      =             Out-of-Class Learning Exp. (200 Clock Hours)
05      =       1 year       AFJROTC
05      =       1/2 year       Computer Technology
75      =       4 years       FAA approved Technical Classes over the course of 4 years

BEGINNING WITH THE 1998 - 1999 NINTH GRADERS, THE TOTAL NUMBERS OF HOURS NEEDED FOR GRADUATION IS 230.

Outside Class Learning Experience (OCLEX) is a requirement for graduation. All students must document 200 clock hours of either volunteer or paid work experience by submitting a "Work Validation Card".


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Academic Curriculum



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Technical Curriculum



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Aviation Maintenance Technology Department


Aviation Airframe
The Airframe of an aircraft consists of “everything but the engine”.

The Airframe Program provides students with training in the structure and systems that make up the aircrafts airframe and prepares them to obtain a FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician’s Certificate with an airframe rating. This certificate prepares the holder to perform aircraft repair and maintenance in the areas of:


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Aviation Powerplant
The Powerplant of an aircraft consists of “the engine and its components”.

The Powerplant Program provides students with training in inspection, troubleshooting, and repair of aircraft engines and systems. Powerplant training prepares students to obtain a FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician’s Certificate with a Powerplant rating. This certificate prepares the holder to perform aircraft repair and maintenance in the areas of:


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Aviation Welding
The Aviation Welding course will develop skills in repair procedures used in aircraft assembly, methods of welding that include arc, wire, and oxy-acetylene welding as well as use of the cutting torch and metal preparation. The principles of metal fusion, identification of electrodes, identification of gasses, and melting points of metal are also presented. Proper equipment set up, care, and maintenance will be demonstrated and practical experience will be gained through laboratory work.


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Computer-Aided Drafting
The Aviation Drafting Program teaches traditional drafting board skills along with the latest Computer-Aided Drafting skills. Students prepare to be proficient in the use of computers, in accessing computer software used by industrial designers and in practicing their skills in design facilities. Students are exposed to theory and gain experience in:


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Aviation Avionics
Aviation Avionics prepares students to install, test, service and repair aircraft navigation and communication equipment. Training in Avionics leads students to certification by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) for a Commercial Radio/Telephone Operators License.


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Air Force JROTC
The mission of the Air Force Junior ROTC is to build better citizens for America by instilling:

These goals are exhibited and practiced through classroom work, drill and extracurricular activities. Discipline is stressed in all areas of participation. Courses trace the development of aviation and technology from ballons to space flight, weather and navigation, communication skills and personal finance. Extracurricular activities include:


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Flight Training
The Davis Aerospace Flight Training program is one of only a handful of flight programs available to public school students in the United States. This enrichment program, along with our maintenance curriculum, gives students a solid foundation to enter the aerospace career field or post-secondary education with a definitive advantage. Students successfully completing all the flight training requirements can achieve their Private Pilot license prior to graduation.

The program enrolls 11th, 12th and selected 10th grade students into an 8th hour Private ground school that is programmed for 5 semesters. This ground school covers the aeronautical knowledge the student needs to pass the Private Pilot written examination. Areas of concentration include Federal Aviation Regulations, Aerodynamics, Flight Planning, Radio Communications, Basic weather theory and Aircraft Performance/Weight & Balance.

Students who excel in the ground school, as well as all their other high school classes, have the opportunity to obtain the flight time required to take the Private Pilot practical test to receive their Private Pilot License. The school currently has 4 Cessna aircraft and 2 flight simulators to complete the flight requirements. The flight training aircraft are maintained to the strict FAA standards by our professional instructors, as well as our Airframe and Powerplant Students.

The flight portion of the program consists of pre-solo and solo flight as an 11th grader. In the 12th grade, post solo students complete, solo, instrument and cross country requirements to meet the minimum flight hours needed for certification.


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Career Development
The Career Development Coordinator Department's job is to connect students with the pathways that will prepare them for higher education and careers.

The department also prepares the students for careers aligned and articulated with post secondary institutions, professional and technical pathways, and employment.

These are programs that demonstrate outstanding outcomes, produce measureable results for students, and meet the challenge of high academic rigor.

Career awareness, using the pathways, enables the students to see the many options they have in the aviation/avionics field.

We reach out to local businesses and community organizations who compliment our mission and we seek their support through our Partners In Education Program. This program is designed to help students make a direct connection between classroom learning and real-world experiences through exposure to career preparation, job-shadowing, mentoring, practicum experiences, cooperative education and internship opportunities.

Our students will hear from representatives from business and industry who will provide information about their careers and their companies to give students insight to career possibilities.


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Extra-Curricular Activities


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