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Course Overview
The Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations) will prepare you for a career as a professional airline pilot capable of managing a multi crew environment. In this course you will study the academic and aeronautical knowledge requirements of the Air Transport Pilot Licence and Command Instrument Rating.
In the first year of your study, you will fly solo in the circuit area of the training aerodrome. You will learn about unmanned aerial vehicles, the physics of aviation and basic aeronautics. You will be introduced to the fundamentals of computer programming as well as the laws that are relevant to aviation.
During your second year, you will learn the aerodynamics, aeronautics, meteorology, navigation, flight planning and loading required by a commercial pilot. You will learn about the human factors that impact commercial pilots. Flight planning and navigation both visually and using instruments are also covered.
In your third year, you will build on the knowledge and skills relating to aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology, flight planning and other aeronautical knowledge to bring you to the level required for the Air Transport Pilot Licence. In addition, you will learn how to manage a multi crew environment and develop and maintain a safety management system.
If you wish to obtain your Commercial Pilot Licence and Command Instrument Rating you will need to complete the Graduate Diploma of Aviation (Flight Operations) in addition to the Bachelor of Aviation. All practical flight training components beyond first solo in the circuit area of your training aerodrome are delivered in the Graduate Diploma. You will not be eligible for enrolment in the Graduate Diploma until you have successfully completed the first term of the Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations). Please check the Student Handbook for detailed information regarding the Graduate Diploma of Aviation (Flight Operations).
Career Information
The Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations) prepares you for aviation careers in the air transportation industry as a professional airline pilot. When you graduate with the Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations) you will meet the aeronautical knowledge requirements for a career as a professional airline pilot in the air transportation industry. When studied in conjunction with CQUniversity’s CM54 Graduate Diploma of Aviation you would be qualified to work as a professional pilot and have access to aviation careers in the air transportation industry, or a cadetship/ traineeship offered by some airlines. You may also be eligible to apply for the Australian Defence Force which recruits potential pilots for all services. With additional flight training you can explore opportunities in general aviation such as; flight instructing, tourism operations and agricultural operations such as mustering and crop spraying.
Aviation management is a broad and dynamic
field and there is unlimited amounts of aviation business administration jobs that are
necessary to keep air travel moving safely. This major provides a broad range
of skills, both technical and managerial, that will prepare you to
become an aviation professional who understands the theory behind airline and
airport operations and can apply these principles to a practical work
environment for
long-term careers in airline and airport management. Aviation
professional jobs require critical thinking and clear communication skills.
You are going to be working with people not only your company but again cross
company lines or across industry lines or with regulatory people to maintain
the safest travel industry in the world. Graduates complete a degree in aviation
management receive a diverse training in skills that are necessary for an
airline or airport management career and are hired by airlines and
related organizations such as airports, government agencies, tourism
authorities, freight forwarders, airport ground handling companies, consulting
firms, IT firms and air safety authorities.
| Duration | 3 years full-time |
|---|---|
| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 144 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
| Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | BAvFlightOps |
| AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2026
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Admission Codes
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
Domestic Availability
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2024Airline and Airport Operations major is NOT available for Term 2 start.
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Term 1 - 2024Airline and Airport Operations major is only available for Term 1 start.
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Term 2 - 2023Only the Airline and Airport Operations major is available to international students. Please see the 'More Details' page for further information.
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Term 1 - 2023Only the Airline and Airport Operations major is available to international students. Please see the 'More Details' page for further information.
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Term 2 - 2022Only the Airline and Airport Operations major is available to international students. Please see the 'More Details' page for further information.
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Term 1 - 2022Only the Airline and Airport Operations major is available to international students. Please see the 'More Details' page for further information.
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2018
International Availability
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2024Airline and Airport Operations major is NOT available for Term 2 start.
-
Term 1 - 2024Airline and Airport Operations major is only available for Term 1 start.
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Term 2 - 2023Only the Airline and Airport Operations major is available to international students. Please see the 'More Details' page for further information.
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Term 1 - 2023Only the Airline and Airport Operations major is available to international students. Please see the 'More Details' page for further information.
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Term 2 - 2022Only the Airline and Airport Operations major is available to international students. Please see the 'More Details' page for further information.
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Term 1 - 2022Only the Airline and Airport Operations major is available to international students. Please see the 'More Details' page for further information.
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2018
| Rank Threshold | SR 68 | ATAR 68 |
English Requirements:
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:
- a secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent) or
- tertiary diploma level qualification, or
- bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0
completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall & minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
- An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components; or
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English - Score of 200 or above; or
- Combined Universities Language Test (CULT) - 70% with no individual component score of less than 15.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
Each student will be assessed individually.
OP English, Physics and Mathematics.
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | CL06 - Associate Degree of Aviation CL11 - Diploma of Aviation |
| Accreditation |
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Residential School Requirements
| Compulsory Residential School | Compulsory Residential Schools are required for the laboratory and presentation components in certain units. |
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| Click here to view all Residential Schools | |
Practicum/Work Placement
| Not applicable |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 164 |
| 2024 | 155 |
| 2023 | 178 |
| 2022 | 191 |
| 2021 | 171 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
Examples are:
- Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
- Demonstrating respect for cultural and professional diversity as well as individual differences and capacities in the aviation industry.
- Complying with the requirement under the Aviation Act to be a fit and proper person.
Examples are:
- Successfully processing your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with stressful situations that can arise in the aviation environment.
- Maintaining behavioural stability through successfully distinguishing your own personal behaviours, experiences and emotions from others and situations in a professional setting.
- Being reflective with personal behaviours appropriate to professional performance and being positive and receptive to processing constructive supervisor/lecturer/peer feedback or criticism.
- Complying with the behavioural requirements to be a fit and proper person under the Aviation Act.
Examples are:
- Complying with the relevant workplace policies and practices in the aviation industry.
- Complying with university and workplace policy with the use of social media, online discussion forums, email and other electronic forms of communication.
- Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
- Complying with the Aviation Act and Regulations.
Examples are:
- Verbally communicating in English your aviation knowledge with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness in a wide variety of contexts.
- Actively participating in discussion and course activities with appropriate use and command of language to the context.
- Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual, group or workplace.
- Establishing rapport with all stakeholders in the delivery of aviation practice and responding appropriately to stakeholders and other professionals.
- Using appropriate facial expressions, body movements and gestures, being mindful of space boundaries.
- Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others and responding appropriately during activities related to the course and in aviation practice.
- Adopting non-threatening body language during challenging and/or stressful situations with others.
- Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar and punctuation to the required academic standards.
- Expressing complex and detailed information and knowledge in logical and legible formats, in a timely manner that meets professional standards and clearly communicates the intended message.
- Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form to develop and execute a case or cohesive argument that meets academic, professional and aviation practice requirements.
- Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X.
- Using a computer with sufficient computer skills to engage in on -line learning, reading, initiating and responding to emails and other forms of electronic communication, and completing relevant assessments for the course. This includes being able to regularly access the Internet for coursework and research.
- Competently using productivity software such as Microsoft Office, and operate associated electronic technologies in the contemporary academic and aviation environment.
- Analysing, manipulating and displaying scientific information using a variety of specific programs relevant to aviation practice.
Examples are:
- Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge and evidence in response to academic assessment items and in the aviation organisation in which you may be placed or find employment.
- Completing academic learning activities and assessment tasks, and perform aviation skills within reasonable set time-frames.
- Constructing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary, correct grammar and conventions of speech, including being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic and professional conventions.
- competently reading, writing and accurately interpreting information to convey language effectively in aviation practice.
- Completing documentation that is accurate, clear and concise.
- Demonstrating competency in applying mathematics knowledge and numeracy skills to accurately read and interpret various measurements.
- Demonstrating effective use of mathematics knowledge and numeracy skills in the application of aviation practice.
- Demonstrating competency in manipulating and analysing numerical data.
Examples are:
- Having sufficient visual acuity to accurately measure and assess.
- Having sufficient visual acuity to work in a team-based aviation environment.
- Having sufficient visual acuity to identify hazards to self and others.
- Perceiving fine detail on a computer screen and/or mobile/portable device.
- Discerning an object from its background.
- Having sufficient auditory capacity to hear verbal communication from other professionals in the delivery of aviation practice.
- Having sufficient auditory capacity to work in a team-based aviation environment where verbal and non-verbal communication is essential to practice.
- Having sufficient auditory capacity to capture auditory warning circumstances, movements or signals where other senses may not detect such stimuli.
- Interacting with a computer through input devices such as a mouse or keyboard.
- Correctly and successfully interacting with electronic and fixed position devices to perform aviation requirements.
Examples are:
- Incorporating a range of gross motor skills while participating effectively in aviation activities.
- Moving with ease while undertaking aviation activities.
- Working safely and effectively in a variety of physical environments applicable to aviation practice.
- Using a variety of fine motor skills in various aviation activities.
- Interacting with a computer through input devices such as a mouse or keyboard.
- Correctly and successfully interacting with electronic and fixed position devices to perform aviation requirements.
Students who intend to take the Flight Operations major and undertake the Graduate Diploma of Aviation (CM54) are required to hold a CASA Aviation Medical from Year 2 as required by CM54.
Students who intend to take the the Flight Operations major and undertake the Graduate Diploma of Aviation (CM54) are required to obtain an Australian Security Identification Card (ASIC) as required by CM54.
Students who are wishing to complete the Airline and Airport Operations major may be required to obtain an Australian Security Identification Card (ASIC) to complete AVAT13025 Aviation Placement and AVAT13026 Aviation Capstone Project units.
- 1. Use new and existing technology and concepts encountered in the aviation industry in the role of an air transport pilot
- 2. Demonstrate effective leadership and authority in a multi-crew situation
- 3. Reflect on the professional and ethical responsibilities of an air transport pilot from a national and international perspective
- 4. Analyse critically and solve problems encountered in the role of an air transport pilot
- 5. Operate an aeroplane independently in the circuit area of the training aerodrome
- 6. Develop and maintain a safety management system.
| Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | ||||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | ||||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | ||||||
| 4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | ||||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | ||||||
| 6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | ||||||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | ||||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||||
| KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | ||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | ||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner | ||||||
- Complete the core structure
| Number of units: 20 | Total credit points: 144 |
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After successfully completing Term 1 of Year 1 you will be able to make an appointment to see the Head of Course to determine your suitability to enrol in the Graduate Diploma of Aviation (Flight Operations).
FIrst Year
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| AVAT11002 | Basic Aeronautical Knowledge | |
| AVAT11003 | Basic Aeronautical Practice | |
| AVAT11004 | Unmanned Aerial Vehicles | |
| AVAT11005 | Flight Fundamentals | |
| AVAT11006 | Commercial Pilot Licence Air Law | |
| COIT11222 | Programming Fundamentals | |
Second Year
Third Year
International Availability
Only the Airline and Airport Operations major of this course is available to international students. If you are an international student aspiring to a career as a pilot, please apply for the CQUniversity CL29 Bachelor of Aviation (Commercial Pilot) course. CL29 is designed specifically to prepare international students for a Commercial Pilot Licence outcome and include all the Commercial Pilot Licence flight training.