Avionics News September 2012 - 58

THEORY & PRACTICE

Continued from page 57

similar designs together in a class, then the Stormscope made it difficult to reach the goal. Similar problems in curriculum design came with LORAN-C. GPS with a fast processor and an extensive database really blew tradition out of the sky. The armor was falling apart. Then, along came NCATT. Based on industry input, for the most part, NCATT has grouped endorsements by mode of usage. Radio communication systems is the closest to the traditional approach, since it includes ground-based and satellite-based communication systems

throughout the spectrum. Some are analog, and others are digital. But, there are more similarities than differences between the systems. In contrast, the dependant navigation systems endorsement requires a big change in the traditional approach. This endorsement includes systems throughout the spectrum, which work in a wide variety of modes. Now, systems as different as ADF and DME are together. We are teaching low-frequency analog, along with microwave radar-type pulse and spread-spectrum time-delay measurement. In this case, there are more differences than similarities between these systems. A class teaching the autonomous navigation systems endorsement will

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seem to be more like an instrument class than a navigation class. In this case, the traditional approach is pretty close to the new approach, since autonomous navigation systems, are in essence, highly accurate instrument systems. I have given some thought on why these two activities, so different, seem to be connected in my mind. I do recall, before the training, sitting at the computer to begin the curriculum change process. At the time, I could not seem to get much done. After the training was complete, I revisited the curriculum change and managed to get the bulk of it completed in a few hours. According to Alberta Flanders, “Sometimes only a change of viewpoint is needed to convert a tiresome duty into an interesting opportunity.” Imagining knuckle draggers, cone heads and sky kings all working together for air safety was certainly a change in viewpoint, and it made a week of jet training quite interesting. The theme of a changing viewpoint carried me to my other summer activity, revising the curriculum. According to Anthony D’Angelo, founder of Collegiate EmPowerment, contributing author and editor of Chicken Soup for the College Soul, “Become a student of change. It is the only thing that will remain constant.” Last summer, I did just that. I viewed the world through the eyes of a jet technician, and I viewed the world through the eyes of a student looking for NCATT AET endorsements. The pace of change is accelerating in all areas of technology. To stay current and keep things interesting, we must remain students with constantly changing viewpoints. q

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Avionics News September 2012

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