NBAA has added six courses to its professional development program (PDP). The new offerings in the program’s educational lineup satisfy specific module requirements in the association’s certified aircraft manager program and can be completed in three different ways, according to Jay Evans, NBAA’s director of operations. “We really try to emphasize flexibility in these classes because our members are traveling a lot, their schedules are unpredictable and they can’t always sign up for classes and take them on a regular schedule.” Students registering for the new programs can complete them online, attend an intensive weekend class or–in some cases–register for a semester-long course.

Aviation Training Solutions has two new approved courses, each available in a single-day format. “Effective Leadership in Business Aviation” explains the necessity of good management to achieve results within a flight department and satisfies PDP objective L3. The second course, “Enhancing Productivity through Business Aviation,” meets objective BM1 and evaluates how various transportation solutions can be incorporated into the corporate flight department.

Also satisfying BM1, Ohio University has been approved for “Business in Aviation,” which teaches students how to analyze corporate travel needs and the concepts involved in fitting a flight department into a corporate culture. Aviem International is presenting “Emergency Planning for Business Aviation,” which examines how to create a disaster recovery plan for the flight department and satisfies requirement Ops 5.

“Pilot Reliability Certification,” offered by Convergent Performance, covers basic human factors in business aviation, fulfilling module PM9, while Sinclair Community College has “Principles of Aviation Leadership,” which outlines the creation of a flight department’s strategic mission and vision statement, fulfilling the requirements for modules L1 and L2.

In addition to helping prepare students to pass the CAM exam, the courses maintain the currency of the more than 150 certified aviation managers, and they provide a leg up for those seeking to advance in the industry.

“The ultimate aim of the courses is to prepare a person to move into a management position,” Evans told AIN. “We’re hoping to get the most qualified people in a position to run the flight department, to raise the bar for all of us. We operate in a safe industry and we want to keep it safe. Management is a key part of that.”