A Dream Come to Life: PUC Flight Center Builds Custom Simulator

Pacific Union College Flight Center Director Nathan Tasker had the idea to build a type-specific aircraft simulator for his students. Since flight training devices in general aviation tend to be generic, limiting their usefulness, Tasker questioned how he and the program could obtain a simulator to teach basic skills, such as visual ground reference maneuvers and landing techniques. This would allow students to progress efficiently, as these skills cannot be effectively taught in traditional simulators.

He shared his dream with Russell Laird, the former chair of PUC’s technology department, who would help bring this idea to life. Building the simulator started last summer, with dimensions mirroring PUC’s Piper Cherokee cockpit. Aviation major Micah Dymer drew an instrument panel that Laird would build and design. Taylor Webster consistently assisted Laird, with several other aviation students who volunteered to assemble parts and help calibrate the controls. From Hong Kong to Indonesia to Germany and Sacramento, different parts arrived in Angwin to build the simulator.

According to Tasker, building a type-specific flight simulator for a small aircraft had not been done before. This process took countless hours of experimenting, ongoing improvements, and adjustments. With no manual and starting from scratch, it is rewarding for Tasker and his team to see the simulator running this quarter.

“We have an amazing group of students this year!” said Flight Center Director Nathan Tasker. “They are creative and willing to jump in and help. They are very engaged and excited to get involved. I am confident these students will go far. When we place the well-being of our neighbors ahead of ourselves, I believe these pilots will ignite a collective passion to go out and serve in a way that can literally ‘change our world’ for the betterment of humanity.”

With the success of this first flight simulator, they plan to build a full-motion platform and expand their fleet with a new full-motion simulator. Aviation enthusiasts are invited to join them for their Air Expo on Sunday, May 4.