Polibatam and Hang Nadim Air Force Base Hold OHLG Training for Saka Dirgantara, Nurturing Future Aeromodelling Talents

BATAM — Politeknik Negeri Batam (Polibatam), in collaboration with Hang Nadim Air Force Base, organized an Outdoor Hand-Launched Glider (OHLG), or chuck glider, training program for members of Saka Dirgantara Hang Nadim Batam on September 19–20, 2026. Held at Hang Nadim Air Force Base, the program brought together 50 participants from 13 senior high schools and vocational high schools across Batam.

The training involved lecturers and students from Polibatam’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Study Program (TPPU). TPPU students who are members of the Polibatam Aeromodelling Community also took part as facilitators, assisting participants throughout the training, from basic introduction and assembly to flight testing of the completed model aircraft.

An OHLG is a motorless model aircraft launched by hand. Although its construction is relatively simple, building one requires precision, particularly in determining wing design, center of gravity, balance, and flight stability. Through the training, participants not only learned how to build model aircraft but were also introduced to fundamental concepts of physics and aerodynamics related to aviation.

On the first day, participants learned the fundamentals of OHLG, the main parts of an aircraft, the functions of each component, and proper assembly techniques. Each participant received the materials, components, and equipment needed to build their own model aircraft under the guidance of the Polibatam team. Through this hands-on process, participants were able to observe how wing shape and position, weight distribution, and assembly accuracy can directly affect an aircraft’s ability to glide and maintain stable flight.

On the second day, participants continued completing their aircraft, checking the construction, and carrying out the trimming process to achieve optimal balance and flight direction. Polibatam lecturers and TPPU students assisted participants in making the necessary adjustments before conducting flight tests. This stage provided participants with practical experience in evaluating and improving the flight performance of their aircraft.

To conclude the program, the committee held a mini competition to assess the performance of the model aircraft created by the participants. Based on the flight assessment, 10 participants were selected as the best performers. The competition also provided an opportunity for participants to apply the knowledge and skills they had gained throughout the two-day training program.

The collaboration between Polibatam and Hang Nadim Air Force Base is expected to provide an engaging learning experience for students while introducing them to the field of aerospace from an early stage. Through hands-on activities, the program also aims to foster young people’s interest in aeromodelling, aviation technology, science, and engineering, while encouraging the development of future talent in the aerospace sector.

Warm regards from Polibatam

#Polibatam #KampusPBL #KampusCDIO #Aerospace #AircraftEngineering #HangNadimAirForceBase #Aeromodelling #SakaDirgantara #TPPUPolibatam #SemestaInSaintek #ScienceAndTechnology #VocationalEducation #AviationTechnology