Pre-training aviation program saves money

By John Wakefield
Staff Writer

Two Purdue professors have developed a method to bring a Boeing 727 cockpit into the classroom.

The Purdue aviation technology department owns two Boeing 727 simulators, which are used to teach students the steps necessary to fly the airplanes.

For beginning students who simply must learn basic procedures and which button does what, a trip in the real simulator is somewhat uneconomical as the simulators each hold only one to two students per simulation and cost hundreds of dollars per session.

Now, using teleconferencing technology, entire classes of 70 or more students can experience the simulator at once. A process that used to take a week or more is now reduced to only an hour.

A year ago, John Young, an associate professor of aviation technology, attended the Teaching, Learning and Technology Showcase 2000 workshop, where he was introduced to camera and computer technology used for teleconferencing.

He felt that this technology would be useful in his classes, and the result is a system that has a camera in the cockpit of the simulator that transmits a live image to a large classroom where students can see the image by way of digital projection.

The title of the project is "The Transfer of Critical Flight Information from an Advanced Airline Flight Simulator to the Classroom," or "Cognitive Pre-Training." It is used seven to eight times a semester, usually when the lecture involves basic procedures that can be taught to everyone at once rather than one at a time.

"The system will definitely not replace the value of actual flying," said Young. "Students must have hands on experience in the (simulator) for procedures."

Students have reacted to the system with approval. "It’s really beneficial for us students. It really prepares you for what it will feel like when you actually sit in the (simulator)," said Brian Waymire, a senior in the School of Technology. "It’s also really great that you can get some experience with the interior of the cockpit immediately and not have to wait around for a week for a slot to open up in the (simulator)."

The system is used when students must learn basic motor skills in a no risk environment. "Thousands of dollars can be saved if, when students actually fly the simulator, they are already familiar with the layout and basics," said Richard Fanjoy, an assistant professor of aviation technology and collaborator with Young on the project.

The system costs less, cuts down on the wear and tear of the simulator and has a wide range of possibilities.

"It could link up Purdue classes to different kinds of simulators all around the country," said Young. "The technology is not yet ready to use in actual airplanes but is definitely useful in (simulators)."

Young also said the technology could be applied to other schools.

"Take archeology for instance. You could link up a live feed from a dig in Arizona directly to a classroom here in Indiana," said Young. "Similarly, there it wouldn’t replace the hands on experience but it would aid in teaching of the basics."

Young and Fanjoy's system is already in use and was showcased in the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Showcase of 2001 several weeks ago. The professors intend to present it this fall at the University Aviation Association annual meeting in Memphis, Tenn.

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