Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Air Traffic Control (Online)

AVTN 3410-31I

Course: AVTN 3410-31I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: AVTN
CRN: 21563

Course Description

This course will explore the elements of the current Air Traffic Control system and Next Gen. Discussions will include the historical evolution of the air traffic control and the national airspace systems in the United States. Emphasis will be on current operational issues and how air traffic management is changing. Covers control tower, approach, and center responsibilities; radar and non-radar control environments; RVSM; ADS-B; and traffic separation minima for radar and non-radar operations. Will cover VFR and IFR operations, arrivals and departures from uncontrolled airports, operations below basic VFR minima, nighttime operations, in-flight and ground emergencies, bomb and hijacking threat procedures, search and rescue, and runway incursions. Will cover federal aviation regulations, publications, ATC communications, ATC clearances, navigation aids, VFR traffic patterns, control of vehicle movements, using ATIS, NOTAMs, PIREPS, and the criteria for runway selection. This course may be offered online. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): Instructor or department permission Equivalent Course(s): AVTN 6410

Required Texts

There is not a specific textbook required for this course.  There will be various reading assignments throughout the semester from different, publicly available sources.

Learning Outcomes


At the completion of this course the learners will:

  • Understand the historical foundations and development of the air traffic control and the national airspace systems in the United States.
  • Understand and apply current operational issues in the ATC system.
  • Understand how air traffic management is changing.
  • Understand control tower, approach (TRACON), and center (ARTCC) responsibilities, radar environments including ground radar and non-radar control environments, RVSM, ADS-B, and traffic separation minima for radar and non-radar operations.
  • Understand ATC differences between VFR & IFR flight operations.
  • Understand arrivals and departures from uncontrolled airports, operations below basic VFR minima, in-flight and ground emergencies, bomb and hijack threat procedures, search and rescue, and runway incursions.
  • Understand federal aviation regulations related to air traffic control operations and procedures, publications, ATC communications, ATC clearances, concepts of air traffic flow control, VFR traffic patterns, and control of vehicle movements.
  • Understand the use of ATIS, NOTAMs, PIREPS, and the criteria for runway selection.

Course Requirements

Academic Integrity:  With the increased presence of Artificial Intelligence in the educational community, and an uptick in its use among students, I have elected to start using Copyleaks to filter any AI or non-original work.   If your assignment is flagged I will contact you directly to discuss a resolution.

Copyleaks will also flag any plagiarized work, including work from previous or current students.  PLEASE make sure you are submitting your own original work per the SUU Academic Integrity Policies.

Course Assessments:
Weekly Discussions = 30 % of final grade
Weekly Projects = 30 % of final grade
Weekly Quizzes = 30 % of final grade
Course Final Exam = 10 % of final grade

Grading:
A  93.5% to 100%
A- 89.5% to < 93.5%
B+ 86.5% to < 89.5%
B  82.5% to < 86.5%
B- 79.5% to < 82.5%
C+ 76.5% to < 79.5%
C  72.5% to < 76.5%
C- 69.5% to < 72.5%
D+ 66.5% to < 69.5%
D  60% to < 66.5%
F  0% to < 60%

Course Outline

  • Week 1 – Introduction and ATC Overview
    • Commenced Attendance Quiz
    • Introduction Discussion
  • Week 2 – History and Development of the ATC System
    • Discussion
    • Timeline Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 3 – Control Tower and Airport Operations
    • Discussion
    • Tower Operations Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 4 – The National Airspace System
    • Discussion
    • Airspace Classification Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 5 – Radar: Evolution, Types, and Operation
    • Discussion
    • Radar Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 6 – TRACON: Approach and Departure Procedures
    • Discussion
    • TRACON Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 7 – Air Navigation Systems
    • Discussion
    • Navigation Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 8 – ARTCC and Enroute Procedures
    • Discussion
    • Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 9 – ATC Responsibilities vs Pilot Responsibilities
    • Discussion
    • Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 10 – Unusual and Emergency Procedures
    • Case Study Discussion
    • Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 11 – ATIS and NOTAMS
    • Discussion
    • Deciphering Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 12 – FAA Publications and Charts
    • Discussion
    • Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 13 – PIREPS and Runway Selection
    • Discussion
    • Project
    • Quiz
  • Week 14 – Course Review / Final Exam
    • Any Question Discussion
    • Course Review Quiz


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

Late work is discouraged but will be accepted for a reduced score.  Assignments are available from 2 weeks prior to 2 weeks after the due date.  If you are unable to complete any work due to unexpected circumstance please contact me as soon as you are able.

Attendance Policy

This is an online, asynchronous course so there are not any required attendance times.  Students are expected to complete the weekly assignments and quizzes per the outlined schedule.

Course Fees

All Aviation (AVTN) courses have an additional fee of $1.25 per credit hour.

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.