The Bowling Green State University has a brand new, state-of-the-art aircraft simulator that gives a boost to the education and career preparation for aviators who plan to work in the commercial airline industry.

Located at the Bowling Green Flight Center, the new CRJ-700 simulator provides comprehensive flight training through a virtual flight deck to prepare students for professional careers in aviation. The simulator features a 6-foot tall wrap around visual screen and an identical flight that provides the fit, feel and function of an actual CRJ-700 aircraft, which is used by airlines around the world.

The addition of the new flight simulator makes the BGSU Aviation Program one of the few in the state to offer students training on a simulated commercial airliner.

“It’s all based on the CRJ-700. The cockpit is an identical mock-up of the real thing. We can position the simulator to any major airport in the world, which gives the opportunity to do training in different types of altitudes,” said Rebecca Knieriemen, simulator and jet transition program manager. “We can also train for complicated departure procedures. The CRJ-700 is around a 70-seat jet depending on how it is configured. This is the first jet simulator at our flight center.”

Offered through a partnership with North Star Companies, the new simulator is part of the university’s jet transition capstone course that introduces students to a multi-pilot flight deck and provides virtual training in a turbine aircraft under the guidance of industry-certified instructors.

With the intent to address the national pilot shortage, the addition of the CRJ-700 simulator bolsters the university’s comprehensive, student-centered approach to aviation education through real-world technology and scenarios.

“I am a BGSU alum through the aviation program. I did a myriad of things for 16 years and my most recent position before coming to the Bowling Green Flight Center was an instructor for PSA Airlines,” Knieriemen said. “There, I did primary systems instruction on CRJ as well as ground procedures. I came to judge Flight Team in 2016 when we hosted the competition. I noticed at the time that the flight center did not have a chief assistant flight instructor, which I applied for afterwards. The BGSU aviation program has a place in my heart.”

The BGSU School of Aviation also trains students on simulators identical to the smaller aircraft flown at the university. The program recently added seven new planes to its fleet, including a new Piper Seminole and several new Piper Archer aircraft.

“In the room next door, there are other flight simulators for the Piper aircraft fleet,” Knieriemen said. “Typically, students are training for their private pilot certification, instrument rating, and commercial certification on the Piper aircraft fleet.”

With pilots in high demand, BGSU has established a partnership with Republic Airways to provide students a direct pipeline to a career through conditional job offers. Operating under major airline partner brands of American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express, students can enter the workforce sooner as pilots for major commercial airlines.

“I am currently working on my multi-engine instructor rating. I got the amazing opportunity to take this jet transition simulator course this summer. It was a test course where we got to figure out how things are set up. I feel that I’ve learned a lot,” said Holland Hayes, BGSU senior. “Our instructor has been incredible. She has by far been one of my favorite instructors I’ve ever had. Just going into the simulator, there were a lot of buttons and screens that I wasn’t the most familiar with. Within these six weeks, she has done an incredible job and I feel much more comfortable with the jet environment. This will help my training once I get to any kind of career where I am flying a jet for the first time.”