NATS develops "low cost" ATM training concept

Currently under trial, the concept is a mobile aerodrome training set-up that combines NATS’ own Ace simulator technology with a 360 degree easy to construct, pop-up dome that includes a display mechanism that provides a virtual reality environment of an ATC tower.
Designed by Igloo, a company specialised in developing and delivering 360° display technology, the dome uses a number of projectors and Igloo’s image capture system to warp and blend the image onto its inner surface.
When in use the new system could provide NATS with the flexibility to offer its training services anywhere in the world at lower costs compared to established training facilities.
“Training controllers is an expensive business,” said Phil Wood, Manager Simulation Design at NATS. “It often requires them to travel to a specific location and the technology is costly. In theory this concept offers a more flexible, lower cost alternative that could be taken anywhere and then remotely supported with data and expertise by the NATS simulation team.
“At the moment this is just a trial, but one day it could support our training and development activities anywhere in the world,” Wood said. .
NATS’ state-of-the-art simulator technology is used to train Air Traffic Controllers at its training college in Fareham. It can simulate any airport anywhere in the world at different conditions. “It gives us an immersive, but safe environment to train controllers under all kinds of weather conditions. It also provides them with a chance to experience various emergency situations.” Wood said.