On Thursday 6 June, the Institute of Aerospace Technologies (IAT) visited a commercial flight simulation facility situated close to Malta International Airport. The facility, which is owned by Simliner Malta and has been operational for almost a year, houses a certified, full-motion Airbus A320 flight simulator which is primarily used for training of airline pilots. The simulator provides a highly immersive and realistic environment which replicates the aircraft’s on-board systems and the view outside the cockpit.  

The main purpose of the visit was to give IAT staff and students – some of whom had never been inside a flight simulator before – the opportunity to fly an A320 aircraft under the guidance of a professional airline pilot. Thus, during the visit, IAT staff and students took turns to perform various flying manoeuvers such as takeoff and landing, and to simulate emergency scenarios such as engine fire and aborted takeoff.

In line with its long-term strategy, the IAT plans to procure its own full-flight simulator – similar to the one at Simliner – which will be used to support its research and teaching activities. This simulator, together with IAT labs and offices, will be housed within the Sustainable Living Complex (SLC) which is currently being built on campus and is expected to be completed in a few years.