Civil
Aviation Training College, Allahabad, India has added a new feather to
its cap. A 360°
view Aerodrome Visual Simulator has been commissioned at CATC on the eve
of ATC day. The Visual Simulator was purchase from M/s ST Electronics
(Info-software systems) Pte Ltd. of
Singapore.
The system uses Raytheon’s
First
Plus Tower simulator software.
The Aerodrome Simulator features a 360° Horizontal Field of View screen and computer generated
imagery of the visual environment as viewed from the
ATC
Tower. Different airport visual scenes can be loaded on to the system
to cater for general and airport specific training. Currently the
system features the virtual Cambay Airport scene and a realistic
Delhi
IGI
Airport scene. The Delhi IGI Airport scene was created to include the
most recent developments including newly constructed rapid exit
taxiways.
Models of most of the commercial aircraft types are available with the
simulator. The aircraft models are depicted with realistic
international & domestic airline liveries.
The Aerodrome Simulator installed at CATC Allahabad will be used for the
training of Air Traffic Controllers in Aerodrome Tower Control
procedures. The current mode of training is non visual, based on time
and management of basic strips.
The Aerodrome Simulator features various training positions for Aerodrome
Control, Supervisor & Instructor, Air Pilot and Ground Pilot. The
aircraft and vehicles models can be controlled from the Air Pilot and
Ground Pilot positions using computer simulation inputs. In addition,
the models can be controlled from the Aerodrome Control Position using
the Voice Recognition System. Voice Recognition and synthesis provides
pilot-less operation, and self teach mode.
The Aerodrome Simulator can be expanded in future to incorporate
additional training positions.
Exercise data and voice communications are recorded in synchronization
for replay. The record and replay facility provides a useful tool for
instructors to review and debrief the ATC trainees.
The
Aerodrome Simulator is delivered with an editing station allowing CATC
to make future modifications to the airport visual scenery as well as to
add new airport scenario.
The
simulator is capable of generating different weather scenarios like Fog,
Rain, Dust-storm etc.; also, the scenarios for day and night both can be
simulated to provide a realistic environment for training.
Emergency situations like hydraulic failure, engine failure, aircraft
accident etc. can be simulated for Emergency Event Training. Runway
incursions, cross runway operations and simultaneous runway operations
can be well simulated to prepare the trainee for Ground and Air Conflict
Handling.
The
trainees can even get the virtual flying experience from the cockpit of
aircraft by simply selecting the cockpit view. This could be very
thrilling and exciting. (SEE IT TO EXPERIENCE IT.)
The CATC Aerodrome Simulator is the only one
of its kind in
India
and is one of the largest ATC simulator systems in
Asia.
