FL Technics implement VR mechanic training

FL Technics, which is part of Avia Solutions Group, hasbegun implementing virtual reality (VR) modules for the basic training ofaviation mechanics. The company has presented its first VR module, which coversthe opening of the reverse thrust engine of a Boeing 737NG, and is set toexpand its list of modules in the coming months to cover the full scope ofmaintenance training.

Zilvinas Lapinskas, CEO at FL Technics, explains what inspiredthis approach to training: “Our main goal is to reduce the time it takes newmechanics to enroll in the company. Globally the industry struggles with the three-monthlong enrollment process needed for aviation mechanics. So that’s why we are pushingto shorten that process as much as we can, and we aim to try to get it down to threeweeks. Once we’ve reached that target, we’ll be looking into the possibilitiesof taking our training product to market.”

The VR module itself has been designed to be as intuitive aspossible, with the trainee mechanic proceeding through the series of tasksnecessary for the opening of the engine. This starts with the mechanicselecting the right tools, then opening the covers, opening the reverse,inserting the safety lock and so on. The trainee can also select whether or notthey require in-simulation guidance. All efforts have been made to make thesimulator as accurate and realistic as possible, even down to the fact that itwill record any financial damage that would have been done to the aircraft as aresult of the trainee’s performance.

Ramunas Paskevicius, head of IT and Innovations at FLTechnics, who is heading up the companies VR initiative, is convinced of thevalue that such training will provide: “We are currently testing the modulesin-house and this will give us a better idea of how they fit into the business.As the general demand for professional mechanics in the aviation industry isconstantly growing, we are hoping to make the process shorter and preparemechanics as fast as possible with no loss in quality. I am sure that our VRmodules will help us to achieve all our goals.”

This new innovation is part of the company’s alreadysuccessful strategy for reducing the enrollment time needed for new aviationmechanics. The adaptation course that FL Technics created for onboarding newmechanics has already cut the enrollment process by almost a month. However, MrPaskevicius, the course’s creator, is not content to rest on his laurels:“Despite the fact that our special enrollment course is working, we still wantto make the process faster. And, of course, new technologies are extremelyvaluable in this situation. A few years ago, very few professionals in theindustry believed in the ideas for the future that I was presenting. Now we cansee the results and how rapidly the technology has advanced. I am sure we canuse it to our advantage.”