During the door training session, Boeing simulator technicians and Flight Operation Representative showed the students how to open and close the cabin door on an aircraft,from both the interior and the exterior of the cabin. The students then operated the door by themselves. Boeing engineers also showed and explained how oxygen masks work in the cabin.

During the flight simulation session, students piloted advanced training flight simulators of Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 737 MAX, under the supervision of Boeing experts. Students tried basic flight maneuvers, including takeoff, climb, making turns, approach, and landing. Students also learned about the functions of autopilot and experienced the difference when the autopilot was engaged and disengaged. Some basic human factors design in the cockpit was also explained by the onsite expert.

Finally, a panel discussion was held among Boeing experts and students, where topics regarding pilot training, simulator operation, cockpit, desirable skillsets of aerospace engineers, and career opportunities at Boeing were discussed.

All our students were very excited about this experience. Wenning Guan, a participant of this event, said, “The field trip was very meaningful. The flight simulation was very interesting and gave us a chance to experience being a captain in an airplane. The simulator cockpit there is also very realistic with many functions. Moreover, from the door training session, we have experienced the operation that we cannot experience elsewhere. Overall, I have gained a lot from this activity.” Another student, Juntong Guo, added that “This field trip deepened my understanding of aerospace engineering and improved my knowledge of the industry. It also helped me get more familiar with the operation of an aircraft and various cockpit equipment.”

Dr Yixiang Xu, Aerospace Director of Teaching and Learning, said, “At UNNC, we highly value student field trips and try our best to organize visits to leading companies. During these visits, students will see how their knowledge and skills can be applied in the real world. They will also learn more about the needs of the aerospace industry, which in turn, helps them better plan for their career.”

Professor Xiaogang Yang, Head of Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering emphasized the significance for students to gain first-hand experience. “It is crucial for our Aerospace students to have first-hand experience in the real environment of the aeronautical industry. The field trip to onsite visit to one of the most leading aircraft manufacturing companies in this world, Boeing, would be very much beneficial to our aerospace programme’s enhancement of teaching and learning, improving our student’s knowledge and skills. I, as head of the department which hosts the aerospace programme, would like to thank Boeing to provide such a valuable opportunity for our students. We really hope that we can reinforce the collaboration with Boeing and can have more opportunities to participate in the Boeing Global Education Outreach program in the near future, allowing our Aerospace Engineering students to have more chances to visit the leading aircraft manufacturing companies such as Boeing campuses and to further enhance the university-industry engagement.”

Dr Donglei Sun, the leader of this visit, mentioned, “In future, we will organize more field trips for Aerospace Engineering students and visit both Boeing campuses and other industrial partners regularly to further enhance university-industry engagement.”