As part of FSExpo’s Saturday presentations, Navigraph has revealed a project the company has been working on for around two years, Navigraph Academy. This set of courses promises to be a close representation of the type of lessons and flight training required to earn a Private Pilot’s License (PPL).
Navigraph’s goal with its academy is to provide both flight sim newcomers and experienced simmers with the knowledge that’s required to learn to fly in real life. For newcomers, this will include not only flight lessons on the fundamentals of flight and how aircraft work, but also guides on how to best set up and use their flight simulator.
The learning material will consist of several videos ranging from between 15-30 minutes. These videos will be presented by real-life flight instructors and pilots, and will include demonstrations using 3D graphics and footage of real aircraft. Navigraph has partnered with OSM Aviation Academy in Sweden to include footage from a real Cessna 172 performing all the maneuvers required from the perspective of a student in the pilot’s seat.
Apart from videos, there will be written content that also includes illustrations to better help understand the concepts being learned. Throughout the lessons, the instructors will talk about both the similarities and differences between the simulators and real aircraft. Quizzes and exams will be available to ensure that the information being learned is correct, as well as to replicate this aspect of real training.
Once students are done with the theoretical lessons, they can move on to the simulator, where the Academy will give them instructions on what maneuvers to perform. During the flight lesson, the aircraft’s position is being tracked and recorded, and once the lesson is completed, the students will be given a debriefing where they can see what aspects of their flying need to be improved.
Navigraph is starting out the academy with training only for a PPL, but the team is looking into using the platform they have built to expand into other, more advanced courses, such as instrument flying and even aerobatics.
The Navigraph Academy will be coming soon, with no specific date revealed, and will be available completely for free. This was Navigraph’s presentation at FSExpo Saturday; be sure not to miss out on the rest if this year’s event by checking out our FSExpo hub here.
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