Often, when looking at the sky, one wonders, what does it feel like to control an aircraft of an impressive size? To experience it, one ususally must strive for a pilot career, but today’s technology and creativity of innovators allows everyone to experience a flight through simulations. Students and researchers at the Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute (AGAI) of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), which prepares aeronautical and aerospace specialists in Lithuania, have created a mobile virtual reality flight simulator. It will particularly inspire schoolchildren and future students who, during VILNIUS TECH open days and study fairs, are invited to try the roles of pilots and co-pilots themselves - to interactively experience a flight by plane.

Born from passion for flights

According to Aleksandr Lapusinskij, head of the Aeronautics Laboratory at AGAI and its founder, as early as 2018, aviation students were actively interested in flight simulations and flew in virtual environments using joysticks.

"We decided in the AGAI laboratory to create a device resembling a real aircraft, so that the simulator operator with virtual reality glasses would feel like a real pilot. They would sit in the pilot's seat and have control levers, joysticks, rudder pedals, and lift and landing mechanisms just like in a real aircraft. We wanted to create a device for the most accurate flight simulation," says the AGAI researcher.

For the first model, even real aircraft parts were used - a joystick, helicopter pedals, and other devices - to make the simulator as similar to a real aircraft as possible. The first prototype received the most attention at study fairs, where students have the opportunity to see how VILNIUS TECH students study and learn.

The new flight simulator - even more advanced

According to A. Lapusinskij, at the beginning of 2024, the idea arose to take the next step - to design and manufacture the second version of the simulator "V2."

"The main advantage of the new simulator is that the cabin design is a replica of a real 'CESSNA 172' aircraft cabin, with instruments and mechanisms arranged just like in the original. The 'CESSNA 172' is the training aircraft at the Kyviskes flight practice base. This way, students get familiar with the aircraft in advance, even before boarding the real one," shares the founder of the aeronautics laboratory.

In the simulation, it is possible to fly with various aircraft models. The new flight simulator is more advanced because it uses high-resolution virtual reality glasses, modern motion mechanisms: during the simulation, when the aircraft turns, ascends or descends, the chair in which the pilot sits also moves, providing a more realistic flight experience. The simulator uses the latest version of "Microsoft Flight Simulator," which is most suitable for pilots to practice before flights.

The goal of the simulator is to promote aviation studies in Lithuania

VILNIUS TECH notes that there is still a prevalent myth in the country that there are few opportunities in aviation in Lithuania. Despite this, airlines in our country are very active, and it is forecasted that the number of jobs for aviation professionals in the country will only increase. For example, one of the largest ACMI (aircraft lease with crew, maintenance, and insurance) companies in the world, "Avion Express," which financially contributed to the production of the simulator, says that educating young people about opportunities in this field is essential: "Currently, almost 600 aviation professionals fly aircraft in the 'Avion Express' team, performing flights all over the world, from Europe to Latin America and Asia. We notice that the demand for pilots is growing, and in the future, the sector may face a shortage of professionals. Therefore, it is important to educate young people about opportunities in the aviation sector in our country. I believe that a majority do not even realise how many of our compatriots fly aircraft worldwide and how many opportunities we have in our country to build a career in this field - both in terms of studies and in the highly active aviation job market," says Laura Macutkevic, Head of People and Culture Department at "Avion Express."

In the airline, education in aviation is an advantage. Most people who have completed their studies at VILNIUS TECH's Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute (AGAI) successfully continue their careers in aviation companies, which can offer a wide range of opportunities both here and abroad.

"Not a single pilot after many years of flying continues to work in administrative activities - they move on to training new pilots, organising flights, occupying managerial positions. So educating and having conversations with young people about available opportunities are very important and necessary," says L. Macutkevic.

The article was prepared by Kristupas Kazanavicius, senior manager at the Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute at VILNIUS TECH, and Laurynas Sisovas, Deputy Dean of Communications, International Relations, Alumni, and Partnership.