Avionics on-line not in-line!
By W/O Muza Davies
Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks (and Old Dogs New Tricks!) is a phrase, coined with respect to the latest training aid, Electro-technology Training Squadron (ETS) adds to its arsenal of instructional gizmos.
CTRGG utilising the pre-production GCT at its commissioning run on Friday 13 June 08. (WB-08-0114-07).
Ground Training Wing’s (GTW) support for a self-help approach adds another locally manufactured solution to a technological training mechanism, allowing Avionics training to keep pace with the introduction of new aircraft. Avionics training is introducing a ‘home grown’ Glass Cockpit Trainer (GCT) as a way of providing Avionics personnel with an interactive approach to understanding the complexities of integrated avionic systems.
The introduction of “glass cockpits” as part of the C130 Life Extension Programme, P3-K2 Systems Upgrade Programme and the NH90 purchase requires an understanding of the intricacies of system avionics displays. The GCT training classroom will go a long way to providing a training solution through an interactive approach.
ETS and the Training Aid Review Project (TARP) Team personnel recognised the need to introduce an innovative way to engage students with this new technology. Various approaches to the solution were considered resulting in a ‘local solution’ GCT concept and engineering design. ETS was to front a design under financial support from the TARP to provide a six ship set classroom at a significantly reduced cost. From prototype and proof of concept to completion of the first pre-production unit took 12 weeks
The solution has exceeded expectations of GTW’s training command. The new classroom will replace the old discrete component Communications and Navigation instruction board developed in the 1980s.
The GCT concept was developed to incorporate current Avionics training packages into one complete system. The areas include Avionics Mechanic and Technician training in;
- Instrument
- Electrical
- Radar
- Communication, and
- Navigation training
The pre production GCT in its cubicle (WB-08-0114-03).
New electronics technology and advancements in visual rendering now provide the basis for virtual learning through simulation. The GCT as a Part Task Trainer demonstrates the link between what the aircraft is doing and what the instruments are showing. This approach to training is necessary as students now need to interact to satisfy their kinesthetic learning style, whereas previously the only time they saw these instruments was in a photo in their handout or with an antiquated training aid.
It is necessary to spread the graphics intensive output across multiple monitors to fully interact with the flight information, visual correlation and aircraft system controls. The system therefore uses pilot, co-pilot, overhead and FMS displays to produce a sense of flight deck realism. This allows two students to work together; one performs tasks in accordance with Servicing Procedures (SPs) while the other watches, interprets displays, takes notes and reads manuals.
Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) computer equipment provides the backbone of the system and is easily maintained and future-proofed when upgrades are required.
Many different aircraft types can be loaded and with their respective systems, provide variations on systems not always found in the same airframe. For those technically inclined, the GCT system uses;
Hardware
- 2.5 Gig AMD Quadcore processor
- 4 gigabytes of RAM
- 4 x 8800 GTS 512 Meg dual head
graphics cards
- 4 x 22” touch monitors
- 2 x 22” standard LCD monitors
- Flight Illusion Communication and navigation suite
- GoFlight Autopilot Mode Control Panel (MCP)
- CH Pedals, Yoke and Throttle Quadrant
Software
- XP
- FSX
- NZ Land Class Scenery
- Level D Boeing 767
- Majestic Bombardier Dash 8
Old Comm's and Nav systems training board which was limited in scope and provided limited interaction. (WB-08-0114-02).
The six GCTs will be networked to a central instructor station which is configured as a control tower. The instructor station acts as the local Air Traffic Control (Woodbourne Tower) providing audio, visual and monitoring functions. When complete, the classroom will provide a fully interactive environment where students will be required to undertake scenarios and observations based on what they have been covering in class. This may lead to practical assessment over the intercom system where the students explain what they see and the theory behind what is happening to the aircraft via the instrument displays. The proposed structure of the class is that an aircraft has been serviced and needs checks to be carried out in accordance with the servicing documents. The student checks the F700, reads the unserviceable log, goes to the SP and follows the procedures. The results of the maintenance action are recorded in the student’s workbook and then shown to the instructor. With a structured class the students are required to achieve set goals and exhibit an understanding of what they are viewing.
Virtual test equipment has also been designed to allow systems checks to be carried out by the students. The central touch screen on the centre console becomes the relevant piece of test equipment (Air data, VOR / ILS and IFF Transponder) where the user powers the item up, adjusts settings and runs the compliance tests to confirm faults or conducts systems functionals. Faults can be set up either on a timed basis during the scenario or manually by the instructor as desired. In using virtual test equipment, significant cost savings can be made (e.g. a single test set costing up to $180,000) ensuring sufficient items will always be available to all in class. Additionally the test equipment will always be in calibration and available when needed. Students will still need to use real test equipment in the hangar phases of their course but they can learn how to use a virtual item in the GCT environment prior to actual hands-on and without waiting around to use limited physical resources.
The introduction of the GCTs to the classroom environment should be complete by the end of July this year and is eagerly awaited by both instructors and students. The increase in interactive training aids has enabled ETS to engage further with its students and helps the instructors sustain the motivation to learn. Again, the self-help approach adopted by GTW has demonstrated that the Air Force training environment is a leading edge institution within the New Zealand training industry. Congratulations to SGT Hamilton (development), SGT Ireland, CPL Hollins, CPL Moore, ATS Metalworkers (manufacture) and W/O Evans (project management).