Market Intelligence: -General Aviation

UK Based University of Southampton Announces New Flight Simulator Funded by Boeing

A state-of-the-art flight simulator to train the aeroplane engineers of the future has been officially opened at the United Kingdom based University of Southampton.

The simulator seats a pilot and an instructor, and has 180-degree surround screens. It can be programmed to simulate different aircraft, from single-seaters to jumbo jets – and each can be tailored to have specific characteristics, such as different shaped wings or a different sized engine. The ‘pilot’ can choose the terrain to fly over, the conditions to fly in, and the airports for take-off and landing.

The University of Southampton has one of the longest heritages for flight simulation technology, having used it as part of its teaching for more than 20 years.

Professor Simon Cox, Head of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, said: “It’s important we give our students realistic experiences of flight, to inspire them and to bring to life what they are learning, giving them a full understanding of the physics of different craft in flight. Students learn how different designs of planes influence their performance, from how quickly they take off, to their manoeuvrability, to how they land. They can experience all these things using the simulator.”

The new simulator is one of six Boeing-funded simulators at the university used for teaching engineering undergraduates. Three other simulators are on motion platforms, with one linked to a virtual reality headset for an immersive experience. There are also two desktop simulators.

Dr Andrea Da Ronch, Associate Professor of Engineering, added: “Unique to Southampton is that we have a set of simulators with different fidelities. For the beginner there is a simple desktop simulator, which is essential to learn how the controls and the system work. With experience, our students progress onto the more advanced simulators.”

PhD student Nicolas Wahler, 27, who holds a pilot licence, said: “The simulator brings valuable insight for undergraduates in terms of how the maths behind the aeroplane works in practice. It’s invaluable for students to have practical experience of what they are learning in theory.”

Fellow PhD student Declan Clifford, 25, added: “The simulator is valuable for learning about the maths associated with flight – students can apply their mathematical calculations to the simulator to find out what they actually do – in a very safe environment.”

The flight simulators are funded by Boeing, which has strategic partnerships with six universities across the UK. Ian McNeil, Director of Engineering at Boeing Defence UK, who is also an Electrical Engineering graduate from the University of Southampton, said: “Boeing is committed to building the skills and expertise needed to grow the aviation industry. We are delighted to support the launch of this flight simulator, which will enhance the curriculum by taking theoretical learning into practical, simulated application. Importantly, it will also be used by the university for STEM outreach, to encourage more potential engineers to pursue future careers in aerospace.”

Source: University of Southampton
Photo Credit: University of Southampton

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Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub Signs Agreement with the General Civil Aviation Authority for New Training Facility at Dubai South

Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH), the aerospace platform of Dubai dedicated to the advancement of the aviation industry, announced the signing of an agreement with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to develop a new modern, innovative and sustainable training facility for International Aviation Consulting and Training (IACT), the commercial arm of the GCAA.

The ceremony, which took place during the Dubai Airshow, was attended by HE Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the UAE and Chairman of the GCAA. The agreement was signed by HE Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA and HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South in the presence of executives from both entities.

The new G + 2 facility, which spans across 17,078 square metres, will be located at the education cluster at MBRAH and will be built across several phases. The first phase will be used for training, assessment, and examination, and will host multipurpose halls for events, seminars and meetings. It will also accommodate laboratories for practical training, such as, ATC Simulators, AVSEC Screening, Air Accident Investigation Mobility Rooms, and first aid, among others. The facility will also embrace sustainable design practices that emphasise energy efficiency as well as renewable and redundant energy sources.

In his comments, HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, said: “We are delighted to announce our strategic partnership with GCAA for the development of an advanced facility within our education cluster. In a rapidly growing aviation landscape, these cutting-edge training facilities play a pivotal role in nurturing skilled professionals, adding immense value to the aviation sector and bolstering the holistic aviation ecosystem in Dubai. At MBRAH, we remain steadfast in our commitment to furthering the visionary agenda of our esteemed leadership, solidifying Dubai’s stature as a prominent global aviation hub.”

HE Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA said: “In the current landscape, enhancing capabilities to train specialized professionals in various fields of aviation has become more important than ever. This priority ensures sustainable growth in the sector and the injection of skilled individuals.

The aviation industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by rapid technological advances and an intense focus on sustainability. The recently signed agreement aims to provide advanced training facilities, with the ultimate goal of nurturing a talent pool comprising skilled and highly skilled aviation professionals equipped with high-level qualifications and skills. This, in turn, contributes significantly to achieving the goals of the General Civil Aviation Authority and the aviation industry globally.”

Established in 1996, the General Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for the regulation and oversight of all aspects of civil aviation in the United Arab Emirates including air traffic management, safety and security oversight, connectivity and aviation sustainable.

MBRAH offers global aerospace players high-level connectivity and is a free-zone destination for the world’s leading airlines, private jet companies, MROs, and associated industries. Located in and developed by Dubai South, MBRAH is also home to maintenance centres and training and education campuses. It seeks to strengthen engineering industries to foster the emirate’s vision of becoming a leading aviation hub.

Source: Government of Dubai Media Office
Photo Credit: Government of Dubai Media Office

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Digital Platform Airline Pilot Club Partners with Welliba – Employee Experience Management Platform

Digital platform Airline Pilot Club (APC) is excited to announce a new partnership with Welliba. Welliba has developed a groundbreaking SaaS-based employee experience (EX) management platform, based on the best of behavioural science and human centric technology. Welliba helps people to understand and improve their well-being, development, and EX by analysing and improving the interaction between their personal characteristics and their environment. APC’s partnership will help pilots to improve their well-being and EX during their training, work and in their personal life.

The collaboration is set to launch on 13th of November, with an array of resources aimed at helping both experienced pilots and pilots in training. APC members, irrespective of their experience level, will get  full access to Welliba’s comprehensive suite of EX insights and digital learning resources to improve their students or staff experience, well-being, resilience, personal growth, and career readiness.

Members will benefit from:

  • A personalized insight hub, which can offer support, like a digital coach, to help APC members understand which internal and external factors impact their performance, resilience, well-being, and growth potential.
  • Personal advice and strategies to manage different blockers or stress factors and to help unlock a great experience during aviation training and professional pilot careers. No one-size-fits-all solutions, but advice on what works best for each person in their specific environment.
  • Resources for professional development that complement existing skills and prepare pilots for the evolving demands of the airline industry.

APC will get access to aggregate data that can point to areas of risk, opportunities and impact into holistic development of (future) pilots. No individual member data is shared by Welliba with APC or any future employer.

“We believe that supporting the holistic development of our members is crucial to the advancement of the aviation industry. Our partnership with Welliba represents a significant step forward in providing the necessary resources to help future and current pilots thrive at all career stages,” says Andy O’Shea, CEO & President, at APC.

“Welliba is committed to empowering individuals with personalised insights and learning resources to unlock a better experience at work and life and increase learning effectiveness, well-being, performance and professional growth. Collaborating with Airline Pilot Club enables us to reach a dedicated community of aviation professionals and support them in achieving their full potential,” states David Barrett, CEO, at Welliba.

The services provided by Welliba are currently free to APC individual members. APC can offer a dedicated paid service to flight schools and airlines with their own insights, analytics, dashboards and resources.

The APC-Welliba partnership is more than a set of newly available services: it is a commitment to the future of aviation excellence. APC invites all members to embrace this opportunity, which promises to enrich their professional paths and personal lives.

About Airline Pilot Club (APC)

APC is a premier aviation industry network dedicated to supporting the training, recruitment, and continuous professional development of pilots. With an extensive network of partners, APC stands at the forefront of industry innovation and pilot support.

About Welliba

Welliba is a pioneer in providing personalised insights to individuals and organisations to help unlock a better employee experience in training, professional work, or personal life. Welliba’s digital solution is based on the latest research in employee experience (EX), positive psychology, employee engagement, well-being, resilience, and people performance. With a strong focus on privacy, Welliba’s platform offers a secure environment for personal growth and skill enhancement.

Source: Airline Pilot Club

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