Purdue aviation adds full flight simulator to suite of training devices

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Polytechnic Institute students will soon reach a new level of aviation training without leaving the ground.

The Polytechnic’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology announced the addition of a Hawker 900XP full-motion, Level D simulator to its collection of flight training devices. Purdue is the only university to offer Hawker simulator training.

The Hawker simulator will be housed in the Holleman-Niswonger Simulator Center at Purdue University Airport along with the aviation school’s Phenom 100 jet, CRJ-700 airliner, Cirrus SR20 aircraft training devices and a number of part-task trainers.

“We are the only university in the nation to offer jet-type training integrated into our bachelor of science degree program,” said Manoj Patankar, the Raisbeck Engineering Professor of Aviation Technology and head of the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology. “Adding the Hawker simulator is a giant leap in collegiate flight education that gives our students a significant competitive advantage upon graduation.”

The Hawker simulator is designed and manufactured by FlightSafety International, a world leader in aviation training and simulation.

“Purdue’s degree combines the depth of university study with the practical skills to be employment ready,” said Mike Suckow, associate professor of practice in the aviation school. “Thus, we are continuously working with industry to understand the gaps as technology advances.”

“We plan on acquiring a full spectrum of flight training devices that allow us to expand our capacity to support the increasing enrollment, conduct leading research projects and keep our students competitive in the job market,” Patankar said.

The Hawker flight simulator will arrive later this spring and be ready for use by students in Purdue Polytechnic’s professional flight program this fall. 

Media contact: Brian Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu

Writer: Melissa Templeton, 765-496-0094, templetm@purdue.edu

Source: Manoj Patankar, 765-496-2837, mspatankar@purdue.edu