Aircraft cockpit control panel and instruments illuminated in darkness.

Santiago, Chile


I had the privilege of traveling to Santiago to complete the installation of an ELITE A320 FNPT II MCC simulator — a state-of-the-art Airbus A320 flight training device.


The simulator is now fully operational at Fly With Us Chile and is being used to give students an authentic airline training experience. After their initial flight training, they’ll transition into this transport-category aircraft environment — gaining firsthand insight into what it’s like to be an airline pilot.

I embarked on a mission to install a state-of-the-art ELITE Airbus A320 FNPT II MCC simulator in Santiago, Chile. It wasn’t just a technical assignment — it was a journey of vision, challenge, and transformation.

Futuristic tunnel interior with geometric patterns and dramatic lighting.
Interior view of commercial airplane cabin with overhead storage compartments.
Flight information display showing distance and time from Miami to Santiago.
Airport control tower and runway at sunset with orange sky and mountain silhouettes.

Flying down from Miami via American Airlines, the anticipation built with every passing hour. As the plane descended over the Andes, the city spread out below, framed by snow capped peaks and sprawling urban life.


On a clear day, Santiago is a sight to behold — a rare place where you can ski in the morning and head to the pool later in the day.

JetSMART Airlines aircraft nose and branding displayed at airport terminal.
Urban road with mountain views and modern buildings in Santiago, Chile.
Modern glass office building exterior with trees and blue sky.

Arriving in Santiago, we set to work immediately. The task was to install the ELITE A320 simulator — not a simple plug-and-play system, but a complex integration of hardware, software, avionics, and human factors. Over days of rigorous alignment, calibration, and testing, the simulator gradually transformed from a stack of crates and components into a living, breathing training aircraft in its own right.


Now fully operational at Fly With Us Chile, this simulator isn’t just for “fun flight simulation” — it’s a core tool in real airline-level training. Students who have completed their initial flight training will transition into this environment. Here, they receive immersive, hands-on experience in transport-category operations — handling airline procedures, emergency flows, cockpit discipline, and the mindset of professional airline crews.


What makes this installation more than just a technical feat is its purpose:

  • Bridging the gap from small-aircraft training to airline operations
  • Safe, controlled environment to simulate emergencies and abnormal procedures
  • Flow discipline, cockpit resource management, crew coordination under real constraints
  • Exposure to airline-style standard operating procedures (SOPs) rather than generic simulation

In short, it gives aspiring airline pilots a preview of what life in the cockpit will really be like — before they strap into a real airliner.

Modern flight simulator facility with curved white walls and black ceiling panels.
Wide-angle view of an empty flight simulator room with curved walls and overhead lighting.
Flight simulator cockpit control panel with mosaic-tiled wall background.
Panoramic view of a modern aircraft flight deck simulator with detailed instrument panels.
Flight simulator cockpit interior with illuminated displays and controls at night.
Dark cockpit simulator environment with glowing instrument panels and displays.
Aircraft simulator cockpit view with yellow overhead lighting and instrument displays.
Flight simulator with blue sky visuals displayed across multiple screens.

While in Santiago, I found a city that reminded me of a more human-scale Manhattan: high rises piercing the sky, bustling streets, diverse neighborhoods, and a warm, vibrant spirit.


The locals are friendly and proud, and the food scene blew me away — from hearty Chilean stews to fusion cuisine and vibrant markets, and for a breathtaking vantage point, I highly recommend staying at the AC Hotel Santiago Costanera Center.


On its 17th floor lies Luna Bar — a rooftop lounge with sweeping views of the city, including beautiful sightlines of Cerro San Cristóbal. The terrace, the lighting, and the urban panorama make it the perfect spot to unwind after a long day’s work.

Urban skyline of Santiago Chile with dramatic cloudy sky and mountain backdrop.
Dramatic orange sunset silhouettes city buildings against dark stormy clouds.
Panoramic cityscape view with mountains and colorful sunset sky.
Urban skyline with high-rise buildings against mountain backdrop at dusk.
City buildings and mountains under vibrant purple and orange sunset sky.

For travelers flying within Santiago (or qualifying via oneworld status), the lounge experience is more than just a waiting room — it’s a curated retreat designed to reset, recharge, and refine your final moments before takeoff.

Modern airport hangar interior with small aircraft and bright lighting.
Industrial warehouse space with geometric wooden structures and ambient lighting.
Long corridor with modern architectural elements and dramatic lighting design.
Contemporary bar counter with illuminated shelving and beverage displays.
Retail display of packaged snacks and drinks in wooden baskets.
Modern lounge area with industrial ceiling design and warm lighting.
Historic stone building facade with ornate architectural details and pink banner.
Ancient stone sculpture of a seated figure displayed in museum setting.
Classical marble sculpture of winged figure in dramatic lighting.
Classical marble sculpture of a nude figure seated on a rock in an art gallery setting.
Row of blue illuminated wall lights creating an ethereal glow against a dark background.
Dramatic sculpture with wooden sticks piercing through a stone face in dark lighting.
Bronze sculpture of a classical figure holding a raised object in an art gallery.
Large historical painting depicting rural laborers at work displayed in museum lighting.
Museum wall display featuring multiple paintings and a central digital screen.
Classical marble sculpture of a young child figure displayed on a pedestal in a museum.
Gallery wall displaying a series of dark-toned portrait paintings in warm lighting.
Large classical painting showing a crowded historical scene with dramatic lighting.

An Artful Afternoon


One afternoon, with a few hours to spare between long installation days, I decided to wander into the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes — a beautiful, historic art museum nestled in the heart of Santiago.


Though not massive in size, the museum was exquisite in detail, blending classic architecture with thoughtful curation. At the time of my visit, a special exhibition celebrated the power, resilience, and stories of women, expressed through paintings, photography, sculpture, and contemporary installations.


The atmosphere was quiet and contemplative, and each gallery felt like stepping into a different conversation — from intimate portraits to bold, modern statements. It was a gentle reminder that while my trip was primarily technical, art, culture, and human stories are the soul of any city.

Below (or above) are a few of the moments I captured during the project — the simulator in various stages, the sweeping views of Santiago, close-ups of cockpit panels, and the vibrant city life that enveloped this installation.


This trip was more than a job — it was a convergence of engineering passion, aviation education, and cultural exploration. I’m grateful to have played a part in giving pilots a safer, richer path toward the cockpit.

American Airlines aircraft parked at terminal gates during dramatic sunset with orange clouds.
Interior view of modern aircraft cabin with overhead storage compartments.
Large American Airlines hangar facility with multiple red and blue aircraft tails visible.
Commercial passenger jet on taxiway with dramatic cloudy sky background.
White coffee cup with saucer and biscotti on dark reflective surface.
Modern escalator with bright lighting in white-tiled corridor.

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