Aviation Services 3

Course Description

AVS0093C — Aviation Services 3 is the third Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in Florida's Aviation Services career-preparatory program. Building on AVS0091C and AVS0092C, this culminating course addresses supervisory and operational coordination skills: ramp supervisor responsibilities, FAA Part 121/135 ground operations compliance, weight-and-balance computation, dispatch coordination, irregular operations (IROPS) management, and emergency response procedures.

This course is offered at Florida district technical colleges and career centers, completing the Aviation Services PSAV program sequence. Successful completion qualifies students for advanced ramp roles and lead/supervisor positions in aviation ground operations.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of AVS0093C, students will be able to:

• Apply ramp supervisor responsibilities: crew coordination; safety oversight; resource allocation; documentation; performance feedback.
• Apply 14 CFR Part 121 and Part 135 ground operations compliance: required ground services; load manifest accuracy; pre-departure checks; coordination with the Pilot in Command (PIC).
• Compute basic aircraft weight and balance: empty weight; payload (passengers, baggage, cargo); fuel weight; takeoff and landing weight limits; center of gravity calculations.
• Apply dispatch coordination: communication with airline operations control center; turn-time tracking; delay coding; on-time performance management.
• Apply irregular operations (IROPS) management: weather diversions; mechanical delays; misconnect handling; passenger re-accommodation coordination; tarmac delay rule (3-hour rule per DOT).
• Apply emergency response procedures: aircraft incidents on the ramp; medical emergencies; spill response (fuel, hazmat); coordination with airport emergency services and ARFF.
• Apply quality assurance in ground operations: load planning audits; safety inspections; documentation reviews.
• Apply customer service excellence at the supervisor level: passenger and customer interaction; complaint resolution; service recovery.

Optional Outcomes

• Apply introductory airport operations awareness: 14 CFR Part 139 airport certification; coordination with airport operations center.
• Apply introductory airline scheduling awareness: aircraft routing, crew scheduling, slot constraints.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Ramp Supervision: Crew leadership; safety oversight; resource allocation; performance management; conflict resolution.
• Air Carrier Ground Operations Regulations: 14 CFR Part 121 ground operations requirements; Part 135 commuter and on-demand requirements; required ground services per operating certificate.
• Weight and Balance: Aircraft empty weight; useful load; payload limits; fuel weight calculations (lb/gal for Jet A, Avgas); CG calculations; longitudinal arm; weight and balance manifest preparation.
• Dispatch Coordination: Operations control center communication; aircraft routing awareness; delay coding (IATA delay codes); on-time performance metrics.
• Irregular Operations: Weather diversions; mechanical delays; misconnect handling; passenger re-accommodation; DOT tarmac delay rule (3-hour limit for domestic, 4-hour for international); customer compensation requirements.
• Emergency Response: Aircraft ground incidents; engine fire; fuel spill; medical emergency; security threats; coordination with ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting); 911 coordination.
• Quality Assurance: Load planning verification; safety audits; documentation reviews; corrective action and CAPA.
• Customer Service: Passenger interaction at supervisor level; complaint resolution; service recovery; communication during disruption.

Resources & Tools

• 14 CFR Parts 119, 121, 135, 139
• DOT 14 CFR Part 259 (Enhanced Protections for Airline Passengers including tarmac delay rule)
• IATA Airport Handling Manual (AHM); airline-specific ground operations manuals
• Airline-specific operations manuals and training materials
• FAA AC 150/5200-12C (First Responder Friendly Aircraft Information for Aircraft Accidents)

Career Pathways

AVS0093C completes the Aviation Services PSAV sequence and prepares students for supervisory and lead ramp positions:

• Ramp Supervisor / Ramp Lead at airline ground operations — the primary career outcome.
• Ground Operations Coordinator at airline operations control centers (OCC).
• Customer Service Lead at airline gate operations.
• FBO Operations Manager at Florida FBOs with continued experience.
• Cargo Operations Supervisor at cargo airlines and freight forwarders.

Special Information

Continuing Aviation Drug-and-Alcohol and Security Requirements

All requirements from AVS0091C and AVS0092C continue to apply.

Program Structure (PSAV / Clock-Hour)

AVS0093C clock-hour allocation typically ranges from 150 to 250 clock hours. As the final course in the Aviation Services PSAV sequence, this course supports the highest occupational completion point in the program.

Articulation

Clock-hour credit may be articulated toward A.S. in Aviation Administration, A.S. in Airport Management, or related programs at Florida College System institutions.