Overview
In Aviation Practice, you will learn how to use checklists for single-pilot operation flying, which will support your development towards multiple crew operations. In the flight simulation labs, you will learn the proper use and effect of primary and ancillary controls on the ground and in the air. You will fly simulated air exercises including: straight and level, climbing, descending, turning, and stalling. You will demonstrate flying the circuit pattern with air traffic control procedures and phraseology as part of your final assessment. The simulation will utilise the Lockheed Martin Prepared 3D software.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE
Assessment feedback was insufficient.
Assessment rubric and feedback format should be updated to make it easier to provide detailed feedback.
- Apply appropriate aviation terminology
- Explain the proper use of aviation procedures
- Demonstrate effective decision-making skills in a flight environment
- Demonstrate proper aircraft handling techniques in a safe and correct manner in a simulated flight.
N/A
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | ||||
| 2 - In-class Test(s) - 30% | ||||
| 3 - Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs) - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Lockheed Martin's Prepar3D Simulation
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
r.oliveira@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Aircraft and Terminology
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Radio Communications
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Airframe Structure, Propulsion, and Fuel Systems
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Electrical System, Hydraulic System, and Flight Instruments
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Air Law
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 (Quiz 1) Due Week 5 Friday (14 Aug 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Online Quiz Due: Week 5 Friday (14 Aug 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Basics of Aerodynamics
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Aerodynamics & Aircraft Performance
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Meteorology
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Loading (Weight and Balance)
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Take-Off and Landing Performance
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 (Online Test) Due Week 10 Friday (25 Sep 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Online Test Due: Week 10 Friday (25 Sept 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Overview of the Residential School
Checklist Best Practices
Introductory Aircraft Control Techniques
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Navigating around a Circuit
Consolidate Aircraft Control Techniques
Engine Start & Taxi Procedures
Introduction to the P3D Simulation Environment
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Residential School
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3 (Two Practical Preparation Quizzes & Direct Observation of Procedural Skills)
Takes place during Week 13 Monday-Friday (12 Oct to 16 Oct 2026)
Practical Assessment Due: Exam Week Friday (16 Oct 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
N/A
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online Quiz(zes)
Quiz 1 is an online assessment designed to evaluate students’ understanding of course content covered in Weeks 1–4.
This is a closed-book assessment. Students are not permitted to consult notes, textbooks, or any external resources while completing the quiz. The quiz must be completed independently in accordance with academic integrity requirements.
The quiz will open late afternoon on Friday of Week 4 and remain available until late afternoon on Friday of Week 5.
This assignment is categorised as: Level 1 - No AI
You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
This assessment is exempted from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed by the stated submission date/time.
0
Week 5 Friday (14 Aug 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Quiz 1 due in Week 5
No Assessment Criteria
No submission method provided.
- Apply appropriate aviation terminology
- Explain the proper use of aviation procedures
2 In-class Test(s)
Assessment 2 is an online test consisting of 20 questions, designed to assess students’ understanding of course content from Weeks 5–9.
The test is closed book. Students are not permitted to consult notes, textbooks, or any external resources while completing the test. The test must be completed independently in accordance with academic integrity requirements.
The quiz will open late afternoon on Friday of Week 9 and remain available until late afternoon on Friday of Week 10. Once commenced, the quiz must be completed within 60 minutes.
Students may choose to attempt the quiz at any time within the availability period.
This assignment is categorised as: Level 1 - No AI
You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
This assessment is exempted from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed by the stated submission date/time.
Week 10 Friday (25 Sept 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Assignment due in Week 10
No Assessment Criteria
No submission method provided.
- Explain the proper use of aviation procedures
- Demonstrate effective decision-making skills in a flight environment
- Demonstrate proper aircraft handling techniques in a safe and correct manner in a simulated flight.
3 Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs)
Assessment 3 is a Residential School involving direct observation of procedural skills using flight simulators, as well as two practical preparation quizzes.
This assessment comprises:
Two Practical Preparation Quizzes (10% each, total 20% of final mark)
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (20% of final mark)
Assessment 3 is based on the basic flight principles taught and assessed during the Flight Simulator Residential School.
Students are required to attend the Residential School in Week 13, Monday to Friday, in Cairns. Students must make their own travel and accommodation arrangements.
The residential school includes five two-hour simulator sessions, conducted daily throughout the week. Students will be allocated a specific time for their two-hour session each day.
Simulator sessions will be held on the ground floor of the CQUniversity Aviation Department at Cairns Airport, in the Tom McDonald Building.
Students are required to bring their CQUniversity login details (to access university computers) and a pen and paper for note-taking.
Closer to the Residential School dates, PLEASE CHECK the residential school TIMETABLE and GROUP ALLOCATION tile (Week 13/Exam Week) on Moodle.
Exam Week Friday (16 Oct 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Residential School will take place during Week 13 (Exam Week)
No Assessment Criteria
No submission method provided.
- Apply appropriate aviation terminology
- Demonstrate effective decision-making skills in a flight environment
- Demonstrate proper aircraft handling techniques in a safe and correct manner in a simulated flight.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
