First class flying experience

This page: William Ryan in the Flight Simulator.

After months of work by a dedicated group of Year 10 engineers, the latest addition to CBC’s Library is almost ready for take-off.

The intrepid students from Mr Sellings’ Technical Graphics class designed and built a fully enclosed flight simulator from start to finish in a corner of the busy hub of the College.

Before pen was put to paper, the team calculated the average height, reach and eye-line of potential pilots. Then the dimensions and layout were designed to ensure the cockpit was authentic and ergonomic.

The group settled on a two-part design with an internal desk recycled from the legs of old school desks and an outer wood frame supported by PVC pipes.

After producing the individual parts under the guidance of Design & Technology staff, boys carefully constructed the sim, which involved inserting more than 200 screws by hand. Before long, students will be able to book flight time in the simulator, which is equipped to fly anywhere in the world, and has realistic controls that replicate the cockpits of dozens of aircraft, from fighter jets to airliners.

Reflecting on the monumental project, Bailey De’Pannone (Year 10) said he and his classmates have matured a lot along the way.

“It’s been challenging because you really have to think things through,” he said. “If it doesn’t work it’s your responsibility to fix it, so we’ve learnt to get it right the first time.”

Teacher-librarian Ms Trevanna Cooper said the sense of ownership that the boys have is absolutely priceless, and was a key motivator for handing the project over to the group.

She said the simulator was another way of fulfilling the Library’s aim of being a powerhouse of ideas and innovation for all students.