BEST selected for major ATC Research & Training Programme

The systems will be the focus of long-term research, development and training projects in the fields of air traffic management and aviation being run by the School of Civil Aviation who also operate their own fleet of aircraft and the airport at Eskisehir. A new purpose-built building will house the BEST 360-degree 3D tower simulator and advanced BEST radar simulator. Both simulators will run independently providing simultaneous simulations including multi-sector exercises for research and training. They can be combined for integrated tower and radar exercises. Micro Nav Ltd are the prime contractors for the programme which brings us into a new region and sets up valuable new user relationships. Our team includes Barco, KM-TEK and Imagine. Barco are providing the 3D tower visual display sub-system. This includes ten SIM 6 Ultra II projectors, a cylindrical screen, and computer-controlled image edge blending, matching and balancing, so that the multi-projector image appears as one. Barco are also providing their ISIS 2K and MDPW-476 30 high resolution controller displays. KM-TEK are our local partner and they will be providing engineering, management and liaison services. Imagine are providing their advanced image generation software that is integrated with the novel Fast Airport Builder tool and the BEST simulation engine. There are seven work stations in the tower and twelve controller positions in the radar room all supported by pseudo-pilot positions, data preparation and system management work stations. The package includes: voice recognition and output; audio communications; full recording and playback; fast airport modelling tools and customised features to meet the Universitys requirements. It is due to be installed by the end of 2008. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Cavcar, the Head of the School of Civil Aviation said that the University is proud of their record of pioneering ATC training in Universities and that he is very pleased to be working with Micro Nav and their team who have such a good reputation and a long track record of delivering and supporting the best systems. Mike Male, the CEO of Micro Nav said We are delighted to have been selected and we are looking forward to working with the University on creative and rewarding projects well into the future. I want to pay tribute to the hard work and achievements of the team and to KM-TEK in particular for winning the competition. We are sure the project will be a success and our relationships in Turkey will flourish. During a recent visit, the British Ambassador HMA Baird praised the leading role played by the University in both civil and military aviation and noted the success of a British company in winning the contract. He expressed the hope that it was the beginning of further co-operation between Turkey and Britain in aviation and other areas. He wished the partners every success and looks forward to coming back and experiencing the realism of the simulators for himself. Anadolu University has over 25,000 students on 2 campus sites and is the largest Open University with over 1 million students on open learning courses. It is at the heart of aviation development and training for Turkey.