LIBERTY — New technology is bringing higher level training — and fun — to Pickens County Career and Technology Center students.
The center said in a Thursday news release it had acquired a state-of-the-art True Course Simulations Virtual Reality Flight Simulator.
“This flight simulator is more than just a fun learning tool; it is an immersive flight training experience that utilizes a virtual instructor to guide students through over 70 flight missions, coaching them through all the stages of the Private Pilot Course curriculum,” the release said.
The immersive training device has a motion-actuated platform, flight controls, rudder pedals and a virtual reality headset, according to the release. When these tools are paired with the training and real-time feedback from the virtual instructor that is coded into the device’s software, students will experience the closest thing to a flight lesson without being in an actual aircraft. With guidance from the virtual instructor, students can repeat flight lessons until they gain proficiency and confidence in their abilities.
Aerospace Engineering instructor Robbie Albertson said integrating state-of-the-art technology helps education “transcend the mere dissemination of information.”
“We become architects of tomorrow’s leaders, guiding them through a journey of discovery within a rapidly evolving technological terrain. Through this immersive experience, we instill proficiency and a mindset of adaptability and creativity, essential for success in today’s dynamic world,” he said. “By embracing innovation in our teaching methodologies, we prepare our students for future challenges and ignite within them a passion for exploration and a drive to pioneer new frontiers. So, we do not just educate; we inspire. We do not just teach; we shape futures filled with boundless opportunities and transformative possibilities.”
The district’s acquisition of the flight training system was made possible through the S.C. Aeronautics Commission, according to the release.
School District of Pickens County superintendent Danny Merck said the new simulator was a “significant milestone” for the district.
“It not only enhances our curriculum but also provides students with modern and relevant educational tools,” he said. “By integrating state-of-the-art technology such as this into our teaching, we are setting our students on a path to success and encouraging them to explore innovative career fields.”
Source: Upstate Today
