Marines bring flight simulator challenge to SEMO to get students excited about flying

The Marines set up a virtual reality experience for students in the University Center to embody the experience of flying on Feb. 12.

The purpose of this challenge was to utilize virtual reality in illustrating what it is like to be a pilot.

The Marines’ Captain McElroy explains that the simulator is somewhat similar to actually flying a real airplane.

“If 100% is completely accurate, that the sim [simulator] is probably 55% to 65% accurate,” McElroy said. “It lacks the seat-of-the-pants feeling of an actual airplane.”

Using virtual reality shows the participant visuals similar to strategically flying an aircraft.

The goal is to make it through as many red rings as possible while in flight and attempting to stick a landing.

A screen is set up so your progress can be seen by individuals beyond your virtual headset. This is so your progress can be watched and assessed.

Junior cyber security major James Meghrian decided to try the simulator after finding out through an email sent out a week prior.

“It felt pretty real, it was really disorienting being sideways on the screen,” Meghrian said. “I missed the first couple [rings] completely, it was really hard turning.”

As well as some students testing out the simulator, Kent Library’s government information & literacy librarian, Mary Bangert, was also intrigued by the challenge.

Bangert says that the hardest part of the challenge was controlling the plane without flipping it over, and although it was difficult, the overall experience was fantastic.

The challenge seemed to bode well with participants, most saying that this is a good way to introduce a potential career path if you are interested in flying an aircraft.

“It’s not physically the same,” McElroy said. “Others have seen an interest [using the simulator.]”

The use of this technology not only provided a realistic experience but also allowed participants to try and familiarize themselves with aircraft controls.

“It was pretty fun. I liked it,” said Meghrian. “It’s pretty hard, but it was kind of cool.”