This paper assesses the potential for open educational resources (OER) in undergraduate aviation management degree programs in Australia. To date, traditional approaches to learning and teaching have dominated undergraduate aviation studies in Australia. This is not surprising given the technical and specialised focus required for pilot training. However, as undergraduate aviation degree programs have expanded to now include a growing focus on aviation management, the need and potential of OER is clear. The global aviation industry has a long history of cooperation and sharing when it comes to technical and safety matters; less so on economic and commercial issues. This latter reality has generated a business culture for many aviation companies, including airlines, of commercial protectionism and targeted strategic cooperation. This approach and mentality arguably extents to aviation focused higher education where competition for students, staff and exclusive industry and educational partnerships tend to work against a spirit and practice of wider sharing and openness. In Australia, the aviation higher education space is relatively small with only half a dozen universities offering degrees at the bachelor level. Within this context, the potential for OER is enormous. OER-enhanced learning and teaching in aviation would help to extend educational frontiers, and connect hitherto isolated and inward looking aviation programs. This paper explores existing OER developments and opportunities for undergraduate students in aviation management programs globally, and more specifically in Australia. It also discusses the potential to enhance learning and teaching in this space. Key recommendations are given covering greater cross-institutional collaboration and openness among aviation disciplines in Australia, at both institutional and educator levels.
