Airline Improves Safety Training with Virtual Reality Platform

Emirates is extending its immersive virtual training platform, MIRA, to enhance the safety training of its cabin crew. This initiative will enable the airline's nearly 23,000 cabin crew members to complete recurrent Safety & Emergency Procedures (SEP) training using MIRA, which is designed to meet the requirements of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other regulatory bodies while maintaining training quality.

MIRA features photorealistic, high-fidelity models of the Airbus A380, Boeing 777, and Airbus A350 cabin interiors, along with emergency slides, tarmacs, airbridges, and various views of land and water. The platform incorporates hyper-realistic audio and images, and allows for multi-player scenarios with avatars representing backup crew members to accurately replicate standard operating procedures.

The training modules will initially focus on two critical areas: aircraft door operations and firefighting. Proper handling of aircraft doors is essential, as incorrect operations can lead to inflated emergency slides, resulting in potential damage or injury. Therefore, cabin crew members are required to undergo annual recurrent SEP training. With MIRA, they will practice door drills in a virtual setting, demonstrating their competency in normal and emergency door operations.

Firefighting skills are also integral to cabin crew training. MIRA will simulate various fire scenarios, including fires in ovens, overhead lockers, and toilets. Crew members will demonstrate their skills using a fully modeled fire extinguisher, complete with visual and audio effects to mimic smoke, flames, and extinguishing agents.

The recurrent SEP training on MIRA is structured to provide significant benefits for crew members and training teams. The platform offers 3D modules that can be operated in three modes: Teach, Practice, and Assessment, allowing groups of 8-10 cabin crew members to be trained simultaneously. A 2D version is accessible on mobile devices, laptops, and desktops, enabling cabin crew to refresh their knowledge at their convenience, regardless of their location.

This approach aims to enhance the efficiency of cabin crew training and ensure a thorough preparation for emergency situations.