NEWS

On February 7, Friday, 2025, twelve APU students from the College of International Management visited the Oita facility of Honda Airways Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, Honda Airways) and learned about the aviation industry by participating in flight simulator training and other experiences.

This class was organized as part of industry-academia and regional collaborations, with Professor Masanori Fujita from the College of International Management working together with Honda Airways' Oita facility to plan the event.

During the session, students were introduced to Honda Airways’ business, trends in the aviation industry such as the global shortage of pilots, and the aircraft pilot training conducted at the Oita facility. Afterward, the students toured the facility and aircraft, and they had the opportunity to experience the flight simulator used in actual training. The flight simulator replicates the cockpit and mimics real flight scenarios with high-quality visuals and vibrations. One student shared their impressions, saying, "Just a slight adjustment of the controls caused the aircraft to tilt significantly," highlighting the difficulty of safely piloting an aircraft.

In the final Q&A session, students actively asked questions, such as, "What kind of physical exams are required to become a pilot?" Captain Hiroyuki Satta from the company's Airplane Department responded, saying, "I hope this session serves as an opportunity for APU students to learn about and become more interested in the aviation industry."

After the class, Professor Fujita commented, "There are many fascinating companies in Oita Prefecture, including Honda Airways' Oita facility. The opportunity for APU students to experience and understand the real-world operations of these companies is incredibly valuable. I hope to continue offering opportunities for students to engage with businesses in the future."

APU will continue to actively promote industry-academia and regional collaborations moving forward.