New flight simulator a jewel
Massey University’s new simulator will never leave the ground but from the cockpit it feels just like a Diamond in the sky.
The Massey School of Aviation’s $700,000 Diamond DA-42 aircraft simulator is one of the most realistic available, and only one other training institute in New Zealand has one like it.
School of Aviation chief executive Ashok Poduval said the simulator will bring new opportunities for jobs and training for Kiwi pilots.
It has already been the promise that lured Qantas’ Future Pilots Programme to Manawatu¯ , he said.
The school’s chief of standards, Paul Kearney, said the simulator’s cockpit is identical to the Diamond aircraft, being made from the same moulds, and in the same factories. It looks out on a 220-degree wraparound screen.
‘‘It’s incredible, at times it’s hard to believe you are in a simulator, it’s so realistic in the way it flies.’’
Kearney said this allowed the simulator to get Civil Aviation Authority approval on certifying pilots on manoeuvres that normally required real flight time.
‘‘For example, I can examine pilots in this simulator for a circling approach when landing. That’s because the visuals come right round to behind the wing, which is pretty unique for a simulator.’’
Kearney said simulators were increasingly important in pilot training as aircraft get more sophisticated.
In older planes the control panels were all physical dials, with a few control knobs and switches, A trainee pilot could fairly quickly memorise the layout, he said.
But in modern aircraft, such as the Diamonds, there were a lot more electronics, screens and dozens of near identical, closely placed switches and buttons.
It took longer for pilots to familiarise themselves, and it was better they learnt not to hit the wrong switch in a simulator than in the air, he said.
‘‘There are pages and pages of things I can use to ruin a student’s day in the new simulator.’’