Super exciting things are happening at the University Maine at Augusta.  I knew that they had a Bachelor of Science in Aviation. What I did not know until recently is they also have a RedBird FMX FULL MOTION Flight Simulator, right in Augusta. In fact, there are only two of these in Maine.  I was very lucky to have been able to take it out for a spin.

I have a lifelong love of aviation.  As a little girl, my parents would take me to the Bangor International Airport for watch the planes.  There is a roof-top deck that used to be open to the public and it was so much fun.  It makes me smile whenever I drive by the Augusta State Airport and see people parked along the fence, especially if they have a child with them, waiting for the next plane to land or take off.  I have flown in big planes and very tiny planes and it is always so much fun. I even piloted the Hood blimp for a few minutes.

So when I had the chance to explore the flight simulator at UMA I was very excited. Greg Jolda was the man who made it not only an fun experience for me, but a true learning experience as well. Greg is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and the Aviation Coordinator and Academic Instructor for the program. He is also a very patient teacher. He is really making this program at UMA fly, literally.

UMA's Bachelor of Science in Aviation program will allow students meet the growing demand for pilots. This program with UMA and Maine Instrument Flight will train students for four FAA certifications as they go along through the four years.  So a student would become a private pilot in the first year, get their instrument rating in the second year, a commercial pilot in the third year, and a flight instructor in the fourth year. The program provides all the necessary pilot training along with a solid core of college courses that give a strong foundation for a career in aviation, or any other direction that person may want in their future.  They are even accepting students who have a pilot's license, but want the expanded training for the degree.

The UMA program has the advantage of the RedBird FMX FULL MOTION Flight Simulator, because FAA regulations allow logging of up to 20 hours in this device toward completion of an instrument rating.  It allows for training for planes with older and new instrumentation.

But the simulator has many other advantages. Being able to log those 20 hours lets students learn in a low-pressure, relaxed environment. If something is not clicking for the student, the instructor can hit pause and they can work it out. You can’t do that in mid-flight.

If a student is having an area they need extra time or attention on, the simulator can be set to challenge them on that issue. The full motion simulator feels like you are flying with the movement and full surround images in the cockpit, it allows the trainers to create ‘situation’ for the student to handle. Situations, like instrumentation problem or weather issues, can be programed into the system for the student to handle and learn. Learning this is a safe environment, so when and if those problems come around in the real world, they have some ‘muscle memory’ to deal with it.

UMA is also looking at the potential of making the simulator available (for a fee) to the community as an FAA certified Advanced Aircraft Training Device.  Pilots can use the device to fulfill instrument currency requirements and can also sharpen flying proficiency.  So many advantages to have this at UMA, now check out the video!  Thank you Greg Jolda and the University Maine at Augusta for such a learning opportunity!

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