AVIA 100Introduction to Aviation
- Units
- 0.50
- Subject
- Aviation
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course incorporates a survey of topic areas that impact the aviation industry in Canada. Key areas include aviation history, civil and military aviation, human factors, airspace and air traffic control systems, airport management, and aviation safety. The nature and impact of each of these topics is explored through a combination of lecture, class discussion and activities, and student presentations.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7614 | 244 / 290 | W 14:30–16:20 |
| TUT 101 | 7615 | 48 / 58 | F 10:30–11:20 |
| TUT 102 | 7616 | 40 / 58 | F 14:30–15:20 |
| TUT 103 | 7618 | 53 / 58 | M 11:30–12:20 |
| TUT 104 | 7663 | 47 / 58 | M 13:30–14:20 |
| TUT 105 | 8855 | 56 / 58 | M 16:30–17:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
95% liked it86% easy79% useful
From 81 ratings and 28 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
very cool and easy course, midterm was a bit challenging but many other marks were very easy to obtain.
Dec 2017 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Ultra bird course. During COVID there were no exams, just Learn quizzes every week + tutorials. Prof was OP enough that she wrote the textbook. You'd be surprised how much interesting content about planes and aviation (both commercial aviation and physics of it and stuff) you learn in this course. Now if only I could fork up $10k to pay for the lessons to get my PPL...
Jul 2022 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I really enjoyed this course. Even if you're not in aviation, it is very easy and interesting, the TA's and instructors in my section were very engaging and the course has an excellent organization and text. The kahoots were also very fun.
Nov 2021 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
The teaching assistant Angeline Ram was terrible to say the least. It's a pity that she will be teaching AVIA 417 next year. Very rude, unapproachable and was poor at giving out guidelines for assignments. The thinking questions were graded arbitrarily by her. Treated 1st year assignments like 3rd and 4th year assignments. Ben and Ryan who are currently students did a much better job. The course is interesting overall and is not hard to get a good grade in
Nov 2020 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Super fun and easy course, got a good grade to boost my gpa without much effort. Course is very fun, they basically throw a bunch of fun facts and trivia about airplanes and aviation. Really loved it
May 2018 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
33 posts and comments in 30 threads mention AVIA 100, November 2016 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2024
What is Aviation class like? 2 points, 10 comments
u/Interesting-Bird7889: “Which aviation class? Is the drone course? If so yes you’ll get chance to fly the actual drone and learn some flight planning and radio operation stuff”
u/Velyein05: “I’m thinking about AVIA 100 Intro to Aviation. Which one is the drone course? From AVIA 100 to AVIA 307 they’re all named professional Pilot Program 1-7.”
u/getwektjuniah: “… AVIA100 is a great class if you're at all interested in aviation. …”
u/milobalabilo: “I think AVIA 100 is only offered in fall but not sure”
Easy course where I'll genuinely learn something - Winter 2025 17 points, 17 comments
“Hi, I'll be in 4B ECE and I've mapped out all my degree req's. I have one empty course slot. Anything you'd recommend? I want to be amazed, or learn something I didn't think of. …”
u/Far_Bookkeeper6488: “avia100!”
Spring 2024
any advice for an upcoming student? 5 points, 24 comments
“hi! i’m joining uw for honours arts as a local in waterloo and i was wondering if anyone could give me advice you wish you knew as a first yearrr do you guys like it at uw? …”
u/lovelypeachesmusic0: “take electives for courses that are unrelated to ur major. look into minors and specialization. go on an exchange, do coop abroad. …”
u/lovelypeachesmusic0: “avia100. introduction to aviation was pretty cool. covered pretty much all the broad topics of aviation and taught the basics of flying.”
Courses with Multiple-Choice Assessments Only? 1 point, 3 comments
“Hey! I'm looking for online or in-person courses where the assessments are exclusively multiple-choice questions, or at least heavily rely on them. Thank you!”
u/mangomuncher11: “AVIA 100, but only offered In fall term”
Fall 2023
Fun electives 5 points, 16 comments
“What are some of the most fun/ interesting elective courses you’ve taken at uw?”
u/Muted-Goose-5011: “Avia 100 is pretty fun”
Spring 2023
Can a CS Student take AVIA 100 as an elective? 1 point, 8 comments
u/iamanaybaid555: “Has anyone done this before? I'm very keenly interested in the industry, so really wanted to have a look at how it's taught academically. Can't seem to find any specific category here (https://ugradcalendar.uwaterloo.ca/page/MATH-Bachelor-of-Computer-Science-1), so not sure if I …”
BIRD COURSES 1 point, 14 comments
“Are there any bird courses with no exams? Please list any that aren’t the obvious ones (ECON101, CLAS104, etc)”
u/Muted-Goose-5011: “Avia 100”
birdiest bird courses between: msci 211 online and music 255 OR OTHER (and bonus q: which of the NSEs?) 2 points, 3 comments
“I wanted music 140 or music 246 instead of 255 LOL but the remaining spaces were reserved for arts majors (I'm ECE) and Laura Gray seems like a sweetheart Heard MSCI 211 online with Umair is easy? …”
u/Muted-Goose-5011: “AVIA 100. Minimal effort for a big grade”
Fall 2022
Discord Server 1 point, 2 comments
u/maplesorrys: “Is there a discord server for like courses and stuff? There were separate servers for each courses in my previous university so I was wondering if UWaterloo has that as well. I'm in science and aviation program. My courses are: AVIA 100 CHEM 120 STAT 202 EARTH 121 GEOG 181”
Spring 2022
Incoming freshman (aviation program) questions 3 points, 11 comments
u/applepill: “… No idea about AVIA 100 but the instructor is really good.”
u/bravopapa10: “… people as possible in first year, especially through events such as orientation or in your AVIA100 class. Learn who has a car and you can try and arrange rides with them. 2.) Use other options to get to the airport. …”
Winter 2022
Science and Aviation 3 points, 30 comments
“Hey guys, just got accepted into science and aviation, and after reading everywhere still have some uncertainty. For those in the program (or geo-av), how do you find it? How is the WWFC? …”
u/fottkukorica: “… as someone else mentioned, we haven’t started flight training yet, so we’re basically just honours science students for first year, if we exclude the AVIA 100 course. you would choose 2 science branches you want to study and basically take courses from those into your 4th year. …”
Any online video lectures that were actually enjoyable the last two years? 18 points, 35 comments
u/tomsawyer10: “Avia 100 with Dr Kearns had some of the best presented lecture that I have ever seen! They are super clear and engaging, and very professional looking.”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them