Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Aviation Law (Hybrid)

AVTN 3160-30Y

Course: AVTN 3160-30Y
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: AVTN
CRN: 13458

Instructor Information

 John Benedict 
Office Location: Aviation Offices on Highway 56 (2460 UT-56, Cedar City, UT 84720) 
Course Office Hours: Thursdays 10:00 am - 12:00 pm via Zoom; other times by appointment 
Phone: (480) 907-9902 Also available via: Email (johnbenedict@suu.edu)  and Canvas Inbox 

Course Description

This course is a hybrid course with at least four scheduled face-to-face on campus meetings throughout the semester. This course will provide aviation students with a basic understanding of administrative law, enforcement actions, and international law applicable to air transportation. The regulatory process, rulemaking, and legislation of aviation law will be explored. This class instructs future aviation managers, pilots, technicians, aircraft owners, employers, and others involved in the aviation industry in their personal rights and obligations under the relevant law.

Required Texts

Practical Aviation & Aerospace Law Seventh Edition
By J. Scott Hamilton, Sarah Nilsson

Learning Outcomes

  • Students understand legal terminology, regulations, enforcement actions, consequences, rights, and responsibilities concerning laws governing Aviation.
  • Students understand the role of various agencies and their function related to the enforcement of legal aspects associated with Aviation.
  • Students gain an historical perspective related to the formation of laws and regulations that govern various legal aspects of Aviation.
  • Students understand procedural aspects associated with legal actions related to the world of Aviation.
  • Students gain knowledge of legal aspects associated with the management of airlines, airports, international travel, selling and purchasing aircraft, etc.

Course Requirements

There are 14 weekly quizzes (15 points each), 14 weekly reflection papers (15 points each), and one Final Course Paper (100 points) that will determine your grade. Students are expected to read 30 to 40 pages each week and be prepared to respond to quiz questions and write a short reflection on three topics hey learned about from the reading. The Course Paper will have a unique prompt provided.

  • Quizzes - 210 points possible
  • Reflection Papers - 210 points possible
  • Final Course Paper - 100 points possible

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS - 520 points

  • 484 - 500 points = A
  • 468 - 483 points = A-
  • 452 - 467 points = B+
  • 432 - 451 points = B
  • 416 - 431 points = B-
  • 400 - 415 points = C+
  • 380 - 399 points = C
  • 364 - 379 points = C-
  • 348 - 363 points = D+
  • 328 - 347 points = D
  • 312 - 327 points = D-
  • totals below 311 = F

Course assignments are not weighted.

Final paper

Please choose any topic from this course and write a five (5) page paper (minimum) including a title page, which is separate from the five pages of text. You will also need to include a reference section or bibliography at the end. You must use APA style for your references (citations). Please be sure to use text references that direct back to end of work references. There is a power-point slide presentation in the discussion section that may assist you. You may use the textbook for your paper, and you should have at least three (3) additional sources that are appropriately cited in your paper and in your reference or bibliography section. So, if you use the textbook, you should have a minimum of four (4) sources cited in your paper. Personal experience and insights are welcome to be included in your final paper. Your paper should be double-spaced, 12-point font, with standard one-inch margins. The Final Paper should address legal aspects related to the topic you choose to write about. I am not a fan of recycling papers from other classes. Please understand that points will be lost if citations are not present or used incorrectly.

In the introduction paragraph on page one of your paper, please explain why you chose the topic you did for this paper and why it is of interest to you.

The Paper will be worth 100 points.

Course Outline

Course Overview

Course Introduction and Textbook Information

This week we will learn why aviation law is important. We will provide tips on the readings and the quizzes. We will provide textbook information. A little information about the instructor.

Week one

Week one reading assignment will be pages 3 through 38. We will cover regulatory agencies and international organizations.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week two

Week two reading assignment will be pages 39 through 84. We will cover the FAA and their enforcement policies.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week three

Week three reading assignment will be pages 85 through 115. We will cover various medical cases.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week four

Week four reading assignment will be pages 115 through 146. We will cover the basic principles of civil liability and organizing the business to limit liability.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week five

Week five reading assignment will be pages 147 through 175. We will cover aviation insurance.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week six

Week six reading assignment will be pages 177 through 210. We will cover exculpatory contracts, and airline liability.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week seven

Week seven reading assignment will be pages 211 through 236. We will cover government liability, accident notification, reporting and investigations of accidents.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week eight

Week eight reading assignment will be pages 239 through 274. We will cover buying and selling of aircraft, aircraft leasing, and coownership and fractional ownership of aircraft.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week nine

Week nine reading assignment will be pages 277 through 314. We will cover airports and terminal airspace

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week ten

Week ten reading assignment will be pages 315 through 352. We will cover how the FAA regulates airspace, crimes, and aviation security.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week eleven

Week eleven reading assignment will be pages 352 through 382. We will cover labor and employment law.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week twelve

Week twelve reading assignment will be pages 383 through 412. We will cover air carrier labor law, and commercial spaceflight operations.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Week thirteen

Week thirteen reading assignment will be pages 412 through 465. We will cover unmanned aircraft system operation and aircraft/space tourism.

Each week we will have a reflection paper where the student writes and reflects on the information that they learned in the reading assignment.

After each week’s activities and reflection paper, we will have a quiz to test your knowledge on the information that you recently read.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

 
Late Activities Late submission of course activities is strongly discouraged, and acceptance of late work will be at the discretion of the instructor.  Late work will only be accepted up to two weeks after the original due date, or the last day of classes, whichever comes first. Late work may be docked as much as 50% of the assignment grade. Makeup Work Makeup work will be considered late work and will be subject to the stipulations of the Late Assignments section. 

Attendance Policy

Class Face-to-Face Meetings
This class is a hybrid class. This means we are required to meet face-to-face at least four times throughout the semester.
All face-to-face classes will be graded for attendance and participation. You will earn 5 points for attendance, and 5 points for participation.
Meetings:
  • January 26th, 2026
  • February 23th, 2026
  • March 23rd, 2026
  • April 13th, 2026

Canvas Information

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

For Passwords or any other computer-related technical support:

  • 435-865-8200
  • support@suu.edu
  • IT Service Desk

For Canvas help:

  • 435-865-8555
  • canvas@suu.edu
  • Canvas Help Center
  • How to Use Canvas

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.