Experiencing the real thing

Tan (in blue), Muhammad Fakhrul and Hasnor Farah conduct a pre-flight visualisation exercise where they go through the cockpit gauges, which reads data during flight tests.

UPM students involved in the Flight Testing subject are given free membership to the Air Adventure Flying Club which grants them access to its resources such as its aircrafts and hangar, and to meet and interact with its members who are aviators.

The membership also allows students to visit sites in the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang Jaya, where permission is otherwise not granted unless one has special authorisation.

Three students who participated in the Flight Testing share their experience:

Tan Yin Yaw, 22

It was an experience of a lifetime!

My knowledge in aerospace engineering was useful when we visited sites and during the flight testing.

When Air Adventure Flying Club chief ground school instructor Captain Sebastian Payne pitched, yawned, banked and rolled the aircraft, I understood what was happening.

However, on the day of the flight testing, although I thought the weather was good to fly in, I could not have been more wrong as the ride was bumpy due to the turbulence and the wind.

These new exposures to how a flight test is, will enhance my skills as an aeronautical engineer.

We must allow ourselves to understand aircraft more than just theory, because without actually being on a lighter aircraft, an aerospace engineering student would not understand how important it is to factor in the surrounding environment such as the aircrafts stability and comfort.

If flight testing is not an option, students can work at the airport as it provides exposure.

 

(From left) Muhammad Fakhrul, Tan and Hasnor Farah discuss the aircraft propulsion system and how data is collected from it during flight tests.

 

 

Hasnor Farah Fatehah Hassim, 22

Applying my classroom knowledge into a real-life situation is an irreplaceable experience.

It was terrifying at first, but as the flight progressed, it got better.

I got to combine what I have learnt in the classroom with a real situation and this has enhanced my ability to understand aerospace engineering.

I am grateful to be a part of this priceless experience and I am honoured to represent UPM in this programme.

 

Hasnor Farah records flight data as the test pilot performs specific maneuvers during the flight testing.

 

 

Muhammad Fakhrul Islam Madzelan, 24

For me, it was a very different experience from the theories I have learnt.

In real-life situations, you can feel the movement of the plane, unlike when you are in a simulator.

There, you are stationary all the time.

I want to become a pilot, so this was a valuable experience for me.

Although I have been warned about air pockets, I did not expect it to be this much during the flight but it was still the best kind of fun.