Participants sharpen their aircraft handling and circuit flying skills at Young Aviator Academy ahead of the AIAT Kuala Lumpur Flight Simulation Challenge.

SUBANG, 14 September 2026 — Participants of the inaugural Aviation Inter-School Aviation Tournament (AIAT) Kuala Lumpur moved from classroom learning into applied flight training over the weekend of 12 and 13 September, completing dedicated flight simulation sessions at Young Aviator Academy, Subang Airport.

The two-day training weekend marked the next phase of the tournament, following the aviation theory courses and glider design sessions conducted during the opening weekend at University of Wollongong Malaysia’s Glenmarie campus.

Across four training sessions, participants worked closely with instructors from Young Aviator Academy to practise flying an aircraft circuit — the same fundamental sequence they will be required to perform during the final Flight Simulation Challenge on 20 September.

The first day of training was briefed and coached by Captain Amin Said, while the second day was led by Captain Khalid al Walid, both instructors from Young Aviator Academy. Before entering the simulator room, participants were briefed on the circuit procedure and the importance of maintaining control throughout each phase of flight. Instructors then provided individual coaching as students took turns at the controls, working through repeated attempts until each participant was able to complete the exercise and successfully land the aircraft.

For some participants, the weekend marked their first experience operating a flight simulator. Others arrived with previous simulation experience, but still faced the challenge of improving their consistency, aircraft control and decision-making ahead of the competition.

Early attempts brought a mixture of excitement and nerves, particularly as participants adjusted to managing the aircraft while following the required circuit pattern. As the sessions progressed, however, instructors observed clear improvement through repeated practice. Participants were also seen supporting one another throughout the sessions, discussing techniques, observing their teammates’ attempts and sharing what they had learned between turns.

By the end of the weekend, the atmosphere had shifted noticeably from initial uncertainty to growing confidence, with teams increasingly focused on preparing for the final challenge.

A recurring message from the instructors throughout the training was simple:

“Don’t let the plane fly you. You fly the plane.”

The message reinforced the importance of staying ahead of the aircraft, making deliberate control inputs and maintaining the right mindset rather than simply reacting to what the aircraft was doing.

“Flight simulation is not only about learning which controls to move. It is about developing the mindset to stay in control of the aircraft, understand what it is doing and make the right correction at the right time. Through repeated practice, we could see the participants becoming more confident and more consistent with every attempt.”

The training weekend represented a significant transition in the AIAT Kuala Lumpur journey, as participants began applying concepts previously introduced through classroom learning to a more practical aviation environment. Rather than contributing directly to the tournament score, the 12 and 13 September sessions were designed solely as training opportunities, allowing participants to familiarise themselves with the simulator and prepare for the competition ahead.

The tournament will move into its competitive phase on 18 September with the Online Aviation Theory Knowledge Test, followed by the AIAT Kuala Lumpur Finale on 19 and 20 September. The final day will feature the Flight Simulation Challenge, where participants will once again be required to fly the circuit, only this time under competition conditions, with their performance contributing to the final tournament standings.

AIAT Kuala Lumpur is organised by Aerosim HK Ltd. in partnership with University of Wollongong Malaysia, Young Aviator Academy and simFlightKL.

The inaugural Kuala Lumpur edition marks AIAT’s fifth year and the tournament’s first expansion into Malaysia, continuing its approach of combining aviation education, practical training and competition to give young participants early exposure to the real-world aviation environment.

About Aerosim Hong Kong

Aerosim Hong Kong is an aviation education company focused on introducing young people to aviation through practical and engaging learning experiences. Through initiatives including AIAT, the company combines aviation education, hands-on activities, flight simulation and competition to help students develop a deeper understanding of aviation and explore potential pathways within the industry.

Media Contact

Anwar Khaled bin Muhamad
Marketing & Corporate Communication Associate
Aerosim HK Ltd.
anwar.khaled@aerosim.com.hk