new Nats simulators At FAB

[Admin (Annette Andria)]

www.atc-network.com/atc-news/nats-chosen-to-install-new-training-simulators-at-farnborough

State-of-the-art training and simulation facilities are now available at TAG Farnborough Airport thanks to NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic services.

A tower approach and 3D aerodrome training system has been installed as part of a deal with the airport that includes simulation equipment, software and data provision.

The system, known as Ace, gives the NATS controllers based at the airport access to the best available training equipment.

It also provides a facility to practice new procedures and techniques, either locally at the airport or by connecting remotely to simulation experts based at NATS’ head office in Fareham.

This includes being able to access ‘pseudo-pilot’ simulation, where a trainer responds to commands just like a real pilot.

Dan Foster, NATS’ General Manager at TAG Farnborough Airport, said: “The new system will not only allow us to increase the amount and quality of our training locally, but will also provide the flexibility of remote support from our training specialists based in Fareham.”

The Ace simulator is used across NATS for training, system validation and research and development. This means controllers can hook into much larger simulations running across NATS for testing future air traffic management systems and concepts.

Roger Walker, Director Airport Operations at TAG Farnborough Airport said: “We are pleased to be able to provide the latest in training and simulation technology. We will continue to work with NATS to ensure that our air traffic control team is the best in the business and that our air traffic environment is operated to the highest industry standards.”

[Buster the Bear]

Yet another costly investment by TAG, putting some other airport operators to shame!

[chevvron]

As an ex Farnborough controller, I can assure you that ATC sims have always had input systems which duplicate the actions of pilots. I think you'll find this system is actually funded by NATS, with TAG providing the accomodation. Not sure if this is in the actual tower building though. We did have a sim in there but the room it was in was shared with the ATC Ops side. It was only used for familiarising new controllers with the specific Farnborough environment, obviously this is OK for the first few hours of training but there ain't nothing like the real thing. Having said that,it would mean at least 2 people are not available in the Ops room when they are in the sim, and as they seem to have been continually short of staff since I retired in 2008, I don't know how much use the new sim will get!