SANTIAGO – The Dominican Republic’s Cibao 2026 Regional Book and Culture Fair, the annual cultural gathering running from April 19 to 26 at the Gran Teatro del Cibao, is blending literary celebration with hands-on STEM outreach this year, thanks to a new exhibit hosted by the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC). At the heart of IDAC’s display is a fully functional flight simulator, a piece of equipment rarely accessible to the general public, brought to the fair by the institute’s specialized training arm, the Higher Academy of Aeronautical Sciences (ASCA).
Unlike the simulators reserved exclusively for aspiring commercial pilots in formal training programs, this setup is designed to welcome curious attendees of all ages and backgrounds. Visitors get the rare chance to step into a virtual cockpit, test out fundamental flight controls, and experience firsthand the day-to-day responsibilities that come with being a commercial or private pilot. Normally, the simulator supports core ASCA training objectives, from walking new students through basic flight procedures to helping seasoned learners get comfortable with aircraft instrument panels and emergency protocols. Now, it serves an entirely new purpose: demystifying aviation for people who have never had a connection to the industry.
Beyond the interactive simulation experience, the ASCA team on-site is also sharing detailed information with guests about the academy’s full range of technical degree programs and professional continuing education courses. Organizers behind the initiative say their core goal is twofold: to make aeronautical knowledge more accessible to the general public during the week-long cultural event, and to ignite long-term interest in aviation careers, particularly among younger attendees and local students.
For the fair, which traditionally centers literature, art, and cultural exchange, the addition of the aviation exhibit marks a unique expansion of its programming, bringing a technical, career-focused educational opportunity into a space that draws thousands of regional visitors annually.