An Explorative Study on the Factors Influencing Aviation Education in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study explores how curriculum, instructional strategies and instructors’ competencies influence aviation education in the context of Bangladesh. Another purpose of the study is to find out the challenges of aviation education in Bangladesh. Aviation education is a comparatively new initiative in Bangladesh, which consists of Pilot training program, aviation management and aircraft maintenance. This study is limited to only the pilot training program in Bangladesh. A qualitative multiple case study method has been chosen for finding answers of the research questions. Four classrooms were selected as units of analysis from two flying schools. Classroom observation, interviews with instructors and students were conducted to find out the current scenario of implementation of aviation curriculum in flying schools. Aviation professionals, who are working in international airliners, were interviewed to know the employability of graduates from flying schools in Bangladesh, required qualities of a pilot and challenges of aviation education in the context of Bangladesh. This study finds that the curriculum for pilot training program, the pedagogical competencies and teaching strategy of the instructors needs improvements. It is also found that flying schools have sufficient and updated resources but the instructors are not trained to use those high-tech resources. The schools are not emphasizing developing the human qualities that are required to become aviation professionals. There is lack of communication and co-ordination among airliners, flying schools and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), which is not helping for improving the pilot training. Cost of the course and planning of the course are found as challenges for the pilot training in Bangladesh. The findings of the study can be used to inform the Civil Aviation authority and flying schools to update the curriculum and to bring a change in teaching strategies and training of the instructors. This study also informs the civil aviation authority about the challenges of aviation education and ways to overcome the challenges.