Flying Mavs, Redbird Simulators, and the Loening Trophy

Many years ago, and I won't say how many, I was a graduate student and instructor at the University of Nebraska-Omaha's Aviation Institute (UNOAI).  UNO's mascot is the Maverick and by extension flight team members were known as Flying Mavs.  The program was still relatively new.  It was located in an older building that still had chalkboard classrooms.  We used overhead projectors with the clear plastic foils.  That was about as high-tech as it got.  There were no flight simulators.  Heck, we didn't even have a flight training device (FTD).  We chair flew or we air flew.  Period.

Many years later, UNOAI, or the AI as it's known locally, has grown considerably in sophistication and recognized excellence.  Since I departed, the program has steadily grown its ability to deliver high-tech, sophisticated flight training.  I'm talking about flight training devices up through full motion simulators.  No longer do aviation students have to chair fly to get in their repititions. 

The Insitute began its growth many years ago with the old Jeppsen FlitPro flight training software.  From there the program graduated to Modular Flight Deck (MFD) trainers by Precision Flight Controls.  Now, the AI has added a G1000 equipped, full motion flight simulator from Redbird to the training mix.  The new simulator was highlighted on the local Omaha news.

Since my training days, the program has moved into the recently renovated engineering building on campus and seriously upgraded its digs.  Gone are the old chalkboards and overhead foils.  In their place are the latest in classroom technology capable of delivering multi-media training in a variety of forms.  The aviation curriculum and classrooms have become much more interactive and engaging helping to provide a deep, enduring education that will serve aviation students well throughout their careers.

UNOAI has also grown in recognition for its ability to provide a quality aviation education to its students.  In fact, the AI was awarded the Loening Trophy as the most outsanding aviation program in the country in 2012.  Way to go Mavs!

You've come a long way in the last, ahem, many years, UNOAI.  Keep up the great work!  I look forward to seeing what new endeavors you'll engage in the future.

Happy Landings,