Learning to Fly: University of Dubuque’s New Simulator Makes Helicopter Flight a Breeze

I've always enjoyed technology, video games, and the latest innovations. I've watched just about every kind of tech come along; from the Atari days of Pong to carrying around more computing power in my pocket than the astronauts had when they first reached the moon. Technology continues to change how we think, communicate, and learn. In some cases, it's even making learning a whole lot more exciting.

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Take flight school, for example. Not too many decades ago, learning to fly meant spending almost all your training time in an actual aircraft, and every lesson brought real-world risks for in-training students. Today, modern flight simulators give those same students the opportunity to experience realistic flying conditions, practice challenging maneuvers, and learn from mistakes without ever leaving the ground.

My last experience with a flight simulator was at Monticello High School. It allowed me to take the controls of a simulated airplane. For an eighth grader in the 90s, it was pretty much the coolest thing ever for an exploratory class. Fast forward to today, and we're talking about sophisticated training environments that look and feel remarkably close to the real thing. That's right, video game technology can help prepare someone for a career in aviation, especially in todays world.

The University of Dubuque is taking that idea to new heights with its latest addition to helicopter flight training. The university has announced an agreement with Spain-based entrol to bring a Cabri G2 AATD simulator to its rotor-wing program, with installation scheduled for 2027.

And judging by the features, I'd certainly like to give this one a spin. See what I did there? The simulator is designed as an exact replica of the Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter that UD students already use for flight training. That means students can move between classroom instruction, simulator practice, and actual aircraft operations with a familiar cockpit layout.

The system features a three-projector cylindrical visual display, a database containing 10 key U.S. airports, and an integrated vibration system to provide additional physical feedback. Instructors will also have access to a remote-control station, allowing them to change weather conditions, introduce mechanical failures, pause training sessions, and repeat specific maneuvers. This lets students practice for possible real-life situations that are difficult or unsafe to recreate during an actual flight.

The new simulator will support several stages of the university's rotor-wing curriculum, including private pilot, instrument, commercial, and certified flight instructor training. It will also let students continue progressing and learning when bad weather or aircraft availability prevents them from actually flying.

For the University of Dubuque, it's another investment in preparing the next generation of helicopter pilots. And for someone who thought flying a simulated airplane in high school was the pinnacle of technology; I'm officially ready for another lesson, and in this case, it's one where I could keep my feet on the actual ground.