Virtual Event: Flight Training Simulators Are Getting More Personal and Effective

This fireside chat recap is from FLYING’s “What’s Next in General Aviation” Virtual Event on Wednesday.

FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: How flight training simulators are becoming more personalized.

DETAILS: FLYING’s Thom Patterson talks with Josh Harnagel about his company’s new personalized training app that gamifies the process of staying proficient. Also, they discuss how flight sims will contribute to pilots who may end up flying new types of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

SPEAKER: Harnagel is the VP of marketing at Redbird Flight Simulations.

BIO: Harnagel is a third-generation pilot, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He grew up around airplanes and airports but never really pursued his pilot’s certificate until he went to college. That led to a career in aviation. He became a certified flight instructor and joined Redbird early on and has been with the company for 13 years.

KEY QUOTES FROM HARNAGEL:

“We have new hardware we’re launching around the Cirrus product … focusing on cockpit specific activities for pilots who fly the Cirrus SR20 and SR22.”

“I do think simulators can be a gateway for young people to get interested in aviation … There probably are a lot of people who would be more interested in aviation if they had a more convenient way to be exposed to it. Simulation can really help with that.”

“We’re really excited about eVTOL. We’re involved with some of the committees that are helping to build the training programs and the regulatory standards. As far as building hardware and designing software, it’s kind of early for us.”