SHS1 Aviation And Aerospace Engineering · Semester 1 Week 14: Fundamentals of Avionics

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 1.2.1.LI.2 - Explain avionics systems in relation to the flight of a flock of birds for navigation.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Describe at least three observable behaviours of a flock of birds (including bats and swarms of bees) during navigation, using precise observational language.
Map specific bird flight behaviours (formation, leadership changes, collision avoidance, food finding) to corresponding avionics functions (navigation, communication, surveillance).
Explain, using a natural analogy, how a flock of birds navigates collectively without a central command, and compare this to how avionics systems work together on an aircraft.
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of using bird flock behaviour as a model for understanding avionics systems, giving reasoned arguments at a strategic-thinking level.
Predict what could happen to an aircraft if one of its avionics subsystems failed, using the flock analogy as a basis for the prediction.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Avionics (Strand 2)
Sub-strand: Fundamentals of Avionics (2.1)
Content standard: 1.2.1.CS.1 - Demonstrate knowledge of various classes of avionics systems. 1.2.1.LO.1 Use analogies in nature to explain avionics systems. 1.2.1.LO.2 Enumerate the uses of avionics systems in aircraft and spacecraft.
Indicator: 1.2.1.LI.2 - Explain avionics systems in relation to the flight of a flock of birds for navigation.
Suggested placement: Semester 1, Week 14 (Week 14 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 37

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Talk for Learning: Use audio-visuals to explain the principles of navigation behind the flight of a flock of birds (e.g., bats in the evening/morning) and a swarm of bees. Learners watch/observe and share their observations with the class.
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Books about avionics systems, e.g., Introduction to Avionics (by R. P. G. Collinson), Aircraft
- Books about avionics systems, e.g., Introduction to Avionics (by R. P. G. Collinson), Aircraft
- Systems (by Mike Tooley and David Wyatt) * Talking drums * Smoke generator/flares * Audio-visuals, e.g., wildlife documentaries
- Communication and Navigation
- Communication and Navigation
- reasoning
Assessment (1.2.1.AS.2). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 3 Strategic reasoning; Level 4 Extended critical thinking and reasoning.