Body of Knowledge
If you have already applied to AAAE's Certified Member or Accredited Airport Executive program, you will receive free electronic access to the Body of Knowledge modules. However, if you wish to order hard copies of AAAE's Body of Knowledge modules, please click here. An outline description of the material is available below. Please allow 7 to 10 business days to receive the study materials, unless you are submitting your payment with a purchase order. Study materials will be sent as soon as payment has been received. All module sales are final and non-refundable.
Current
These modules will be updated in October of each year. Other changes may be made as necessary. Please always check back for the latest editions and any changes to the modules.
Updated November 2011
The newest versions of the Body of Knowledge Modules, updated November 2011, are now available for download below. This was not a complete rewrite of the modules, but there are some significant changes to each book, so please review a complete list of the changes here.
Finance and Administration (view pdf)
Planning, Construction and Environmental (view pdf)
Airport Operations, Security and Maintenance (view pdf)
Legislative Affairs, Marketing and Communications, and Air Service Development (view pdf)
By Jeffrey C. Price, C.M. and Dr. Jeffrey S. Forrest - Leading Edge Strategies
Stephen Quilty, A.A.E., wrote the original version of these modules with periodic updates by the AAAE BOE, AAAE staff, and industry experts.
Finance and Administration
In this module you will learn to:
- distinguish between the various forms of airport ownership and operation.
- identify key legal considerations regarding airport management.
- describe the applicable regulations, grant assurances, FAA Orders, Advisory Circulars and other airport management guidance and regulatory documents.
- differentiate airport categories.
- explain the different regulatory agencies and trade organizations that affect airport management.
- identify and assess aeronautical revenue sources as related to airport size, demographics and characteristics.
- describe the benefits and impetus for airport strategic plans; differentiate from other types of airport planning (i.e., business, master...), and explain the strategic planning process; define long-term objectives.
- describe airport property management principles and key documents.
- explain airport operating, finance and budget terminology and interpret airport financial reports.
- identify and explain airport capital funding sources.
- explain airport insurance requirements.
- describe Essential Air Service (EAS).
- recognize the various capabilities of the American Association of Airport Executives.
- discuss Airport Executive career paths, training and certification opportunities and benefits.
Planning, Construction and Environmental
In this module you will learn to:
- explain the NPIAS and the ACIP process
- describe the roles of States and Metropolitan areas in airport planning.
- explain the role of the Airport Master Plan and describe the elements included in a Master Plan Study.
- recognize airfield markings, signs and lighting configurations, look and function.
- construct the Part 77 surfaces.
- describe terminal design considerations and key factors, such as passenger flow and services, and explain ADA, FTZ, ARFF and SRE requirements.
- identify key issues and characteristics of the airports' runway and taxiway system, and Other Landing Facilities.
- distinguish which environmental regulations contributed to the requirements of airport operators.
- explain the environmental review process including categorical exclusions, environmental assessments and environmental impact statements; explain the exceptions.
- recognize key capacity and delay issues including those elements that contribute to delay in the system.
- describe the legislative acts relevant to airport noise and their resultant impact on airport operators.
- compare and contrast between the Part 150 and Part 161 studies; know the key elements of the Part 150 study.
- explain the airport construction management process.
Airport Operations, Security and Maintenance
In this module you will learn to:
- describe the Safety Management System and its use on airports.
- distinguish between airport classes as related to Part 139 and explain the function and development of the Airport Certification Manual (ACM).
- distinguish the four types of self-inspections and the key elements of the self-inspection process.
- describe the pavement maintenance processes and distinguish between various types of airfield pavement and explain the rating system.
- describe the elements of the snow and ice control plan and recognize key concerns during a snow removal operation.
- explain the aircraft rescue and fire fighting requirements at an airport including hazardous materials, and the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP).
- recognize the inspection requirements within all elements of Part 139.
- describe the role of airport communications.
- describe the primary events that formed aviation security policy and explain the role of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
- describe the requirements for an airport as related to an Airport Security Program (ASP).
- discuss general aviation airport security issues.
- describe the general security requirements for aircraft operators.
- describe the role of law enforcement at an airport.
Legislative Affairs, Marketing and Communications, and Air Service Development:
In this module you will learn to:
- explain the roles and responsibilities of the Airport Executive within a politically charged environment.
- describe the challenges and benefits of citizen participation in public policy making.
- explain the key marketing questions that should be addressed prior to beginning a marketing endeavor.
- differentiate other types of airport marketing.
- construct a marketing plan utilizing the key elements and describe the appropriate marketing mix for the various types of airports.
- explain the uses of social media and how it has changed marketing and public relations.
- describe how airports attempt to develop air service including best practices, common strategies and goals.
- describe the role of public relations at an airport including methods of managing the media in both the promotional role and the Public Information Officer role.
- explain the key elements of public relations in crisis.
- explain the economic impacts of airports and aviation on the local economy.
