Next Generation Training Systems Benefit Future Air Traffic Controllers
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Varjo Technologies, a Finnish manufacturer of virtual, augmented and mixed reality headsets for assorted industries, and UFA, Inc., a developer of air traffic control systems, have produced training systems for prospective air traffic controllers. The Varjo XR-4 high-resolution headset blends real-world and virtual elements. The secure device provides immersive 3D technology, where the headset wearer can see various environments.
“Think of our headset as the world’s greatest monitor, where you plug the headset into a PC and run the UFA content,” explained Tristan Cotter, Global VP of Defense & Aerospace. “Where you fully immersed in these airport environments for a fraction of the cost.”
With this professional grade headset and software, “we are able to incorporate the physical and virtual environment,” said Josh Shaffer, associate project manager at UFA Inc. Within our software, we can cap frame rates, where we don’t lose image quality.”
The headset training system is fully secure, with no internet connection, and can be used in limited space.
UFA Inc’s main controller training products are AT Tower simulator suite and ATLIVE, a virtual reality table top, which works with touch and voice recognition software in real time. UFA’s standard training platform is deployed with the US Navy and Air Force. The company also has contracts with FAA-aligned CTI schools throughout the U.S., as well as in Germany and Switzerland, said Shafer.
The one knock against using virtual reality headsets for training is that some users experience nausea and loss of spatial awareness. The sensation is analogous to wearing someone else’s reading glasses.
“In consumer grade headsets, you have manual adjustments,” said Cotter. “Our professional grade headset has automatic IPD (Inter Pupillary Distance) adjustment.” IP pressure is the amount of pressure or force inside your eyes.
Using better software with a higher frame rate also helps mitigate the sickness feeling. UFA employs a Nvidia RTX 4090 graphics card for the simulation system. Other improvements include a better weight and balance of the headset and an auto-cooling fan.
“We rarely get those complaints anymore,” said Cotter. “We now have operators that use the headset for more than two hours at a time. With earlier products, no one wanted to wear the headset for more than 20 minutes.”
Another positive factor in using XR and headsets in air traffic controller training are the younger game-savvy students, who have grown up with smart phone technology, and can process information quicker than their forebears.
Aussie Influence
Australia-based Adacel is another leader of air traffic management and training solutions. FAA and the US Air Force and Army use Adacel’s Tower and Radar simulators.
“We can simulate tower, enroute and TRACON operations,” said James Adams, director of ATC Simulation & Strategic Programs.
In 2009, Adacel delivered around 35 simulators to FAA that were deployed at large airports in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami and elsewhere. As business grew, Adacel delivered training systems to smaller airports.
Today Adacel simulators today are far more advanced from an image generator and processing technology perspective. Realism is important. Most simulators have 4K resolution and are much more immersive.
In 2023, FAA awarded Adacel a two-part contract, one for the software training component in July 2023; the other hardware-related maintenance contract in December 2023.
Major products include Adacel’s REVAL virtual air traffic control tower training system, which can be used on-site or remotely.
Maxsim is Adacel’s combined 180-degree tower and radar air traffic control simulation and training system, which includes human factors of air traffic environments. Civil and military customers worldwide use hundreds of MaxSim’s simulators.
Adacel’s Intelligent Communications Environment (ICE) is an aviation phraseology-training tool for air traffic controllers and pilots. The application features accent-tolerant speech recognition for training of English and non-native English-speaking students. The system supports FAA or ICAO standard phraseology.
With all this next-generation technology, is there room for a human instructor? “No one is taking the instructor out of the loop,” assured Adacel Director of Business Development Mark DePlasco. “Evaluators and supervisors will always be there.”
For more about advanced training technologies aiding FAA’s controller workforce, see Robert Moorman’s article, A Pressing Need.
