We’ll confess that one of our favorite places on campus is the Andrews University Airpark (that's its official name — which you can read all about in our very own IMC Editorial Style Guide, including the detail that the Airpark's identifier, in FAA terms, is C-20; that’s even how you can find the Airpark on Google). Among the coolest of its features are its two Alsim FTDs (Flight Training Devices), the first of their kind to be installed at any American university (although you can look at this cool chart of where the devices are located around the world). The training devices (sometimes called simulators) offer the chance to emulate three different aircraft for our students, giving them a chance to experience flying in any variety of weather and day or night-time conditions. You can see the FTD's deeply impressive wrap around video screens that add to the reality of the experience (motion sickness no extra charge).

The installation nearly two years ago brought a lots of publicity, including a two-page article in the September, 2007 issue of Flying magazine, if you happen have any extra copy laying around (see pages 79 and 80, to be specific)