Modern air traffic simulator at the Silesian University of Technology

This is a new stage of education of aviation-related personnel – professional equipment allows students to train in conditions similar to real life. The University’s investment is in line with the growing needs of the aviation industry and its dynamic development. Silesian University of Technology has joined the elite group of centres in Poland educating flight controllers.

At the Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering in Katowice, a room was created that maps the air traffic control tower in Pyrzowice. The simulator allows to recreate in virtual reality virtually every airport in the world and its operating environment. The system includes a database of aircraft, procedures, weather conditions, and all possible situations - from standard operations to complex crisis scenarios.

- We are joining a small group of four centres in Poland offering full training of air traffic controllers, while our centre is undoubtedly the most modern, said Professor Marek Pawełczyk, the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology. – We train airline pilots, aircraft mechanics and now they are joined by air traffic controllers, including a new recruitment of 40 students. It is a very attractive profession, it fits perfectly into the development strategy of the Silesian University of Technology, because we want to reach far and high – added the rector.

Another investment in training aviation-related personnel is the consistent path taken by the Silesian University of Technology a dozen or so years ago. As Artur Tomasik, President of the Upper Silesian Aviation Society S.A., President of the University Council, and one of the initiators of the establishment of the Civil Aviation Personnel Training Centre at the Silesian University of Technology, emphasized, the development of air traffic controllers’ education responds to the huge personnel demand in this industry.

– For years there has been talk of a deficit of air traffic controllers, not only in Poland, but throughout Europe. Polish aviation is developing dynamically, new airports are being created, The Central Transport Hub is planned, and all this means a growing need for qualified specialists. I believe that this investment is a hit and I congratulate the authorities of the Silesian University of Technology for their courage and vision. This investment is an important element of the Silesian transformation and a great opportunity for young people who want to learn in modern, future-oriented professions – said President Tomasik.

Aviation students have already started training using modern equipment.

– There are classes in the field of aviation communication, i.e. phraseology, the simulator is used during theoretical classes to map and demonstrate procedures applicable in real operations – explained Dr Hab. Eng. Jarosław Kozuba, Prof. SUT, Director of the Civil Aviation Personnel  Training Centre of Central and Eastern Europe- – After completing the specialization, students obtain the qualifications of a controller-trainee and go to one of the national airports for a year of operational training, after which they can apply for an air traffic controller license. This is a difficult field of study, requiring special predisposition, but we hope that our students will do great - added the professor Kozuba.

The modern simulator includes both the flight control tower and approach control stations, thanks to which students can gain the competencies required in both specializations of flight controllers.

– We educate future tower controllers, i.e. people who will be responsible for the organization of traffic at the airport, laying the queue for take-off, planes that taxi, i.e. ride on the manoeuvring field and those that fly in the immediate vicinity of the airport. In turn, in the next room we train future proximity controllers, i.e. people responsible for safe passing of airplanes in the air – explained Maciej Stołtny, air traffic controller with 16 years of experience, head of theoretical training instructors of the Silesian University of Technology.

Thanks to the investment, which cost PLN 5 million, the Silesian University of Technology joined the air traffic controllers’ education centres in Poland: The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency, the Military Aviation Academy, and the Academy of Applied Sciences in Chełm.