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YCYW-CSA Aviation Flight Training Programme: From Simulators to the Skies
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25 Jun, 2026
10 : 35
During the May Day holiday, the aviation flight training programme jointly organised by the Yew Chung Yeh Wah Education Network (YCYW) and China Southern Airlines (CSA) concluded successfully in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. A group of YCYW students from Shanghai, Beijing, and other cities underwent five days and four nights of intensive, professional training, making the transition from aviation enthusiasts to aspiring pilots.
Asia’s Premier Training Base: Zhuhai Flight Training Centre of CSA
The programme took place at the Zhuhai Flight Training Centre of CSA, one of the largest and most advanced flight training facilities in Asia. The centre has dozens of full-flight simulators certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). It serves as a core base for initial pilot training, type conversion, and recurrent training for CSA and many Chinese and international airlines.
The students used A320 full-flight simulators that are 1:1 replicas of the cockpits of real commercial aircraft. The simulators are equipped with six-degree-of-freedom motion platforms and 360° high-precision visual systems with a simulation accuracy exceeding 95 per cent. The training standards are the same as those for the active pilots of CSA.
Engineering Practice + Programming Empowerment: From Components to Flyable Platforms
The programme focused not only on flight operations but also emphasised the scientific and engineering logic of the aircraft.
The students began by learning the principles of fixed-wing flights, and then personally completed tasks such as, the mechanical assembly of the aircraft’s model, circuit soldering, flashing of flight controller firmware, sensor calibration, and configuration of remote control. Then, they used programming to achieve attitude calculation and data visualisation, and even attempted to write tilt alarm and automatic correction programs, gradually establishing closed-loop control logic.
During the outdoor test flight sessions, the students experienced firsthand the differences between theoretical models and a real flight. One student remarked, "This time, I finally managed to connect all the fragmented knowledge I had learned before."
Standard Training for Aspiring Pilots: Flying Like a Real Captain
Under the guidance of the CSA instructors, the students systematically studied the classification of civil aviation aircraft; airport signage; communication procedures; instrument interpretation; standard take-off and landing procedures, and flight planning. By analysing real accident cases, the students gained an understanding of the importance of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and emergency decision-making.
In the A320 full-flight simulators, the students completed the entire operational process, from the cold and dark start-up to the take-off, the downwind leg, the final approach, and the landing. Some students even proactively challenged complex emergencies such as engine failure, wind shear, and thunderstorm conditions.
In the final assessment, all the students independently completed a full flight operation, achieving safe take-offs and precise landings, and successfully passed the evaluations by the CSA instructors.
Student Reflections
Tony, Year 8, YCIS Shanghai Puxi
"I used to think that flying a plane was only about pressing buttons. Now I realise you have to memorise so many procedures, master aerodynamics, and possess exceptional mental resilience."
Jason, Year 8, YCIS Shanghai Puxi
"The moment I successfully landed the single engine, my legs were completely weak. A real captain carries the lives of hundreds of people on their shoulders."
Jeffery, Year 9, YCIS Beijing
"Take-off is the most demanding in terms teamwork and sense of direction. Going from knowing absolutely nothing to learning about it makes me incredibly proud."
Message from the Lead Teacher
Mr Vish Kapila, STEAM Coordinator at YCIS Shanghai Pudong, commented:
Students not only learned physics, mathematics, engineering, and programming, but they also genuinely experienced the professionalism and rigours of the aviation industry. The growth they achieved in just five days far exceeded our expectations. I am so proud of our students.
Conclusion
Although five days is a brief period, it allowed this group of students to make a paradigm shift in their perspective, transitioning from mere operators to thinking like developers. They not only earned certificates of completion but also gained a sense of awe for the aviation profession, and experienced the joy of integrating knowledge with composure and resilience to face challenges.
