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Airservices Australia will incorporate a new cloud-based simulator into its air traffic control training.
Under the three-year deal with Airways International, the commercial arm of Airways New Zealand, Airservices will trial the TotalControl mobile training simulator, including Airways staff acting as pilots for remote instruction.
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According to Airservices Australia’s head of operational training and resourcing, Marcus Knauer, the simulator is compact, easy to transport and set up, and will allow Airservices staff to train at their home locations rather than having to travel to a training facility.
“Airservices will trial this technology initially with Airways International developing a TrueView replication of operations at Sydney Tower commencing in September 2024 and extend to a further five aerodromes with a focus on compromised separation exercises,” Knauer said.
“Our ATCs across the country are currently required to undertake compromised separation training every three years as part of their licensing and requires a large percentage of staff to travel in order to complete the training.
“This mobile technology solution will enable the delivery of training locally and support operational continuity through reduced disruption to work schedules.”
This is the first “simulation-as-a-service” contract for Airways International, though it already uses TotalControl simulators for training Airways NZ personnel, and has the technology installed at more than 70 sites around the world.
“Airways’ TotalControl is one of the most realistic and flexible simulation platforms on the global market, with real-world tower graphics that take advantage of terrain mapping data, photo-realistic 3D-rendered models and TotalControl’s leading-edge TrueView technology,” Airways said.
“TotalControl simulators vary in size and complexity, from desktop mobile simulators to free-standing 360-degree tower simulators with very large screens.”
According to Airways International CEO Sharon Cooke, the company has “extensive capabilities” in providing remote simulation pilot services.
“Our investment in TotalControl’s cloud-based simulation and the expertise we’ve developed in the provision of remote simulation services for Airways in New Zealand sees us well placed to deliver this model for Airservices Australia,” she said.
“We expect that the simulation-as-a-service model will gain traction with our customers in coming years, as we understand the challenges that come with maintaining your own simulator, as well as staffing for the variability of simulation services. We look forward to hearing about the benefits of the service for Airservices Australia.”
Airservices has been working closely with Airways for air traffic controller training, with the first cohort of Australian trainees this month graduating from Airways’ 30-week course.
