New simulators elevate aviation program
Utah State University’s aviation program is raising the bar for pilot and air traffic control training with the addition of two new simulators, according to aviation student Liam Pokorny. The new simulators are a Boeing 737-NG Flightdeck and an advanced air traffic control system, both designed to bring real-world aviation experience into the classroom.
The simulators, installed earlier in the semester, are already being used by students in the aviation technology and air traffic control programs. The new equipment, part of a multimillion-dollar investment in aviation education, replicates real flight and communication environments with the same software used in professional airline and Federal Aviation Administration training facilities.
Captain Parry “Pee Wee” Winder, jet training lead instructor for the aviation program, said the new simulator gives students the chance to train like commercial pilots before entering the industry.
“It’s a flight simulator fully enclosed with a 220-degree view,” Winder said. “Once they master the systems, they can come in here and do a full flight from point A to point B. We never freeze. We never pause. We just treat it as airline pilots.”
The simulator mirrors the exact flight deck layout of a Boeing 737, complete with functioning instruments, control feedback and full automation. The only difference from commercial airline simulators, Winder said, is USU’s version doesn’t have hydraulic motion legs that allow the simulator to tilt or turn.
Before entering the 737 simulator, students work through several training stages, including systems instruction and computer-based automation modules. Once proficient, they progress into the cockpit, where everything they’ve learned comes together.
“Think of the other simulators like puzzle pieces,” Winder said. “When students get in here, it all comes together as a complete picture.”
During a demonstration, an aviation instructor guided the simulator through a flight from Salt Lake City to Logan, showcasing the software’s realism. Students can program global airports, simulate standard operating procedures and practice emergency situations ranging from flap failures to engine fires.
The program runs nearly around the clock, with students and instructors volunteering time between 5-12 a.m. six days a week. Winder said none of the instructors are paid for their simulator time. They volunteer to gain experience and improve their skills as they prepare for airline careers.
While the flight simulator focuses on aircraft operation, USU’s new air traffic control simulator gives students insight into what happens on the other side of the radio.
Aaron Whittle, a professional practice assistant professor and former air traffic controller, said the new system brings realism that goes beyond textbooks or radio drills.
“This really takes it to the next level,” Whittle said. “Students can talk into the computer, and the computer talks back to them. They can visually see the airfield, aircraft moving, and hear real radio chatter.”
Whittle said the simulator mirrors the FAA’s training layout, helping students learn the same procedures used by professional controllers.
“If our students ever want to go to the FAA, they’ll step into that schoolhouse already familiar with it,” Whittle said. “It’s exactly what they use to train their controllers.”
The simulator includes both 2D and 3D environments. Students start with tabletop exercises before transitioning into a fully immersive tower view, managing multiple aircrafts at once. The technology recognizes aviation phraseology, requiring precise wording for commands to register correctly
According to Whittle, the experience helps pilot students gain a deeper understanding of how controllers work under pressure, improving coordination and safety.
“They gain a whole new appreciation for what’s going on inside that control tower,” Whittle said. “When they get back in the cockpit, they better understand why a controller might not answer right away.”
For students like Pokorny, a senior in the professional pilot program, the simulators have made a clear difference in confidence and readiness.
“These definitely help us stay ahead of the aircraft,” Pokorny said. “We fly two or three times faster in the simulator than we do in the plane, so it trains us to think faster and be more prepared.”
Although the simulator hours can’t count toward FAA flight requirements, they carry weight with airlines.
“I can’t log it as flight hours, but when I go to an interview and tell them I’ve flown 50 hours in a 737 simulator, they know I understand how to fly,” Pokorny said.
With both the 737 and air traffic control simulators now in place, USU’s aviation program has positioned itself as one of the most advanced collegiate flight schools in the region. USU’s flight school is ranked No. 18 in the nation with over 1,000 flight schools in the U.S.
“These systems are exactly what’s used in the industry,” Whittle said. “It’s helping our students step into the real world already knowing what to expect, and that makes all the difference.”