Airways desktop simulator well received at South Pacific conference

Airways has developed a desktop version of its world-leading Total Control simulator for use in Air Traffic Control towers, so controllers can refresh their skills in a simulator tailored to their own operational environment.

The desktop simulator was developed to meet customer demand, and was exhibited for the first time recently to delegates at the South Pacific Operational ATS Group forum.

The annual forum is hosted by Airways as part of its upper airspace arrangements with Tonga, Samoa, the Cook Islands and Niue. ATC representatives from each State attend the forum which provides industry updates and the opportunity to resolve any operational or technical matters.

Sharon Cooke, Airways Head of Training, says many Air Traffic Controllers from the States find it challenging to attend regular refresher training as they are in sole control positions. The Airways simulator provides a viable solution for these situations.

“The forum attendees were impressed with the simulator demonstration, and were all keen to look into having one installed and applied to their own situation. We’ve developed this desktop model as the perfect equipment for these smaller, lower volume towers, and consequently the purchase of a training simulator is a realistic goal for these ANSPs,” Ms Cooke says.

Airways’ range of simulators feature real world, three dimensional graphics and weather effects. Whether training in the full 360° Total Control simulator or on the desktop simulator, students gain a highly realistic experience mirroring that of their actual operating environment. Developed by Airways in partnership with New Zealand-based 3D graphics experts Animation Research, the simulator software features a user-friendly interface, high quality graphics, and easily adaptable exercises that can be edited by the ANSP to suit their existing traffic and potential scenarios.

“While many of the controllers working in the South Pacific will have trained in New Zealand, the less recent graduates will not have experienced the Total Control simulator,” says Ms Cooke. “It’s always rewarding to see how well received the simulator is by these tower representatives, and to appreciate how it will be used in their future training.”