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A survey was conducted for the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) that identified educational content and knowledge areas thought to be important to the success of a corporate aviation flight department manager or chief pilot. The survey consisted of 49 educational course descriptions. Information about the importance of the courses was sought from NBAA member companies, specifically the flight department manager or chief pilot and the individual that the manager or chief pilot reported to in the company. The data collected were ranked and grouped to reflect those topics that were considered important to the success of a manager. Results from the study raise questions about how to best meet the educational needs identified. Aviation educational institutions and management development and training consultants are encouraged to develop and deliver courses, seminars, or curriculums that focus on developing current corporate and business aviation managers and better preparing future managers.

Students are attracted to university aviation programs for a number of reasons. How well they learn from instruction in a classroom, an airplane, a simulator or in other environments is impacted by their ability to react to stimuli and to process different types of information. Research into cognitive learning style and preferences addresses the processing of information. This paper presents data on a study designed to assess aviation students' cognitive processing bias (the preference for learning and organizing information using one side of the brain or the other, or both sides) at a four year university aviation program. It further investigates whether patterns or correlations exist between the biases and factors such as class standing, age, gender and aviation program choices. Results of the study provide a basis for further research and study into cognitive processing capabilities and the factors that influence student development, such as instructional techniques and instructor methodologies. References, 12p.