TARP
-It's All About You!
By W/O Andy Evans
Teaching with tablet computers
Well, it is all about you if you happen to be a trainee at Ground Training Wing (GTW).
The Training Aid Replacement Programme, or TARP as it’s more commonly known, has taken on a life of its own over the past couple of years. TARP’s focus is on Strategic Initiative 2.1.2 – ‘Improve RNZAF’s training outcomes’. Everything we do is aimed at that goal.
From upgraded training technologies to providing new training airframes, the TARP is a big project with a huge vision. Currently staffed by SQNLDR Dave Tose, W/O Andy Evans and F/S Derek Evans, the TARP’s been an on-going project for a long time now. So, it’s probably about time we shared some of the success stories with you.
On 18 September, TARP handed over the Glass Cockpit Training capability to COGTW. This capability allows Avionics trainees to undertake practical lessons on the operation of a glass cockpit aircraft. Practical consolidation of lessons will better prepare mechanics for their first posting to work on our upgraded aircraft. Similar products retail for upwards of $200 000 – these trainers have been built for a fraction of the cost. Although many people have been critical to its success, SGTs Malky Hamilton and Jeremy Ireland have been the lynch-pins of this project, and both were recognised for their hard work and professionalism. Malky will receive a CAF commendation and Jeremy a CTRGG commendation.
Over the next few months, TARP and GTW personnel will introduce several classroom training devices as well as some C-130 computer software. The classroom training devices will allow practical demonstrations of typical aircraft systems inside the classroom. The trainers purchased include hydraulics, undercarriage, pressurisation, and fuel and environmental systems.
On the software front, Maintenance Wing and GTW are working together to procure and introduce a Computer Based Training (CBT) package for the C-130 aircraft. This package will allow instructors to demonstrate the aircraft systems and components in a virtual environment – to display schematic diagrams that change in response to aircraft controls, and provide illustrated location diagrams for components.
In addition to these large-scale training devices, there has been a smaller evolution taking place within GTW. With the support of Command, our financial wizards and Capability Branch, TARP managed to source funding that has allowed GTW to improve its level of training media and general training aids. This has included such varied items as new books, DVDs and software (for all manner of different courses), and new muscle models for the PE and RT school, with pictures espousing RNZAF values throughout GTW, and even sound systems in the classrooms.
Potentially the biggest changes will come over the next year as the CPS clickers come into use throughout GTW. In the next month, a trial of their use in a formal testing environment will also be carried out. All of this is aimed towards improving training, making it more effective, more relevant and more aligned to the technology available to young people before they join the Air Force. And possibly – just possibly – they might even make it fun!
The next, and largest, phase of TARP is the purchase of aircraft and engines to replace the obsolete training aids currently used at GTW. We passed through the second major ‘gate’ on our quest when CDF gave this project, and its $6M budget, Approval In Principle (AIP), in early September.
Although we can’t go into too many details about the potential aircraft types, we’re confident that it will be a major ‘step up’ for GTW. This will take approximately two and a half years to complete, but is phased so we’ll see the first five aircraft in service by October 2009.
This part of the project also includes providing the technical training part of GTW with more training real estate, which will enable the entire hangar floor to be used for aircraft maintenance work. We’re hopeful of having that complete by May next year. It’ll be a huge step forward.
Finally, a public thanks to the Command and personnel of Training Group, the financial team, APU and Capability Branch – we couldn’t achieve anything without all your knowledge and support.
So, next time you’re down at Woodbourne, drop in to the TARP office and let us show you our vision of the future.