By David N. Young
Tucked away in a discreet part of the technical education building on the campus of Cypress College sits one of the few full simulators of the Boeing 737 MAX airliners in the USA, and with the recent addition of single and twin-engine planes, students are flocking to the skies without leaving the ground.
Cypress College recently announced the addition of a full-motion, Twin-Engine Reciprocating & Turbine Motion Simulator to its new Aviation Lab, according to a recent announcement.
The Twin-Engine Reciprocating & Turbine Motion Simulator enables Cypress College instructors to train aspiring pilots for their initial private pilot certificates. This on-the-ground training saves students between 30 and 60 hours of flight time, equating to a savings of $7,500 to $15,000.
“This new simulator will enhance the training we’re able to provide students,” said Cypress College President JoAnna Schilling, Ph.D. “It dramatically reduces FAA required flight training times, providing our students with an economical path to the completion of their flight program. We couldn’t have made this purchase without the donation we received from an anonymous donor last year.”
According to Capt. Ed Valdez, Chairman of the Travel and Aviation Department, the growing array of flight simulators will produce “better pilots” as technicians and flight instructors can now simulate a wide range of situations on a wider array of planes and engines.
The move comes as airlines are expected to replace as much as 40 percent of its airline pilots as many of those flying now are expected to age out.
Valdez, who flies 757 jets for United Airlines on weekends, keeps the center buzzing with fresh information taken directly from the cockpits of one of the world’s foremost airlines.
“It is very helpful to bring real world data and knowledge into the classroom,” he said.
In addition to the simulators, Valdez and department staff have worked out reciprocal agreements with many airlines and nearby airports.
Several small planes are under contract, with instructors, at John Wayne airport to allow students to take off in a real plane after their work in the simulators are complete.
Last October, Cypress College was the recipient of the largest individual gift in campus history when an anonymous donor provided a $1 million donation to the college’s aviation program. The donation was earmarked to transform Cypress’ state-of-the-art flight simulator lab into the region’s best public facility, support Cypress’ flying team, and be used toward the purchase of an airplane. In addition to the new Twin-Engine Reciprocating & Turbine Motion Simulator, four FAA certified simulators will soon be installed to better enhance the attainment of technical skills and increase student completion rates. The five simulators are part of the ultimate plan for the Aviation Lab to include eight flight simulators, with one slated as a full-motion multi-engine turbo-prop simulator. The college is home to a unique simulator that mirrors the recently released Boeing 737 Max commercial jet.
About Cypress College:
Cypress College offers students a pathway to their future in an environment in which employees commit to joining students on their educational journey. The college’s half-million-plus alumni include actors, athletes, doctors, executives, mechanics, nurses, and teachers. For some, Cypress College is the ticket into their university of choice, and for others, it provides essential training for a prosperous career. Just one Cypress College class is often all it takes to provide cutting-edge skills that lead to a promotion or a new job, according to the announcement.
Cypress College’s 16,000 students and the highly qualified teaching faculty are proud of the many excellent academic and vocational programs. Cypress College offers 56 university-transfer majors, 176 career-certificate programs, and degrees in 73 areas of study. The college’s traditional semesters begin in January and August, while short-term courses start throughout the year. A Cypress College education costs $46 per unit — $138 for a typical, full-credit class — California’s lowest tuition. Financial aid and scholarships are also available to qualifying students.
Cypress College is one of three campuses in the North Orange County Community College District and a member of the 115-campus California Community College system. The college primarily serves the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Garden Grove, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, and Stanton.
“This is a huge opportunity for anyone looking to become a pilot. Becoming a pilot is expensive but Cypress College Aviation and Travel Careers in cutting the cost by thousands,” according to the college.
College is hosting a FREE informational meeting in its ATC department August 23 wherein “our programs within the ATC dept. include Piloting, Flight Attendant, UAS/Drone, Aviation Management, Airline Customer Service, Homeland Security, Travel & Tourism, and Administration of Justice,” will be discussed.
Students and their families are invited to our open house to learn about these programs, take part in an orientation, ask questions, meet faculty and students, and learn about the latest hiring data. The open house is August 23, 2019 from 4:30-5:30pm. No RSVP necessary. Located at Cypress College, Building Tech Ed 1, Room 200. Parking is in Lot 1 for this event.