Qatar engineers lead the way with Rolls-Royce VR tool

Qatar Airways engineers are using a ground-breaking virtual reality (VR) tool from Rolls-Royce for refresher training on the Trent XWB engine after the Gulf carrier became the global launch partner for the tool in April.

The new tool is designed to deliver training in a virtual environment without the need for a physical engine to work on.
This is particularly valuable for Trent XWB operators, such as Qatar Airways, because the engine, the largest built by Rolls-Royce, must be separated before engineers can transport it for maintenance and repair.
The Qatari flag-carrier operates a fleet of 38 Trent XWB-powered Airbus A350s, with a further 38 on order.
Trainees don an HTC Vive headset that immerses them in the process, using sight, sound and touch to separate the two parts of the engine in a virtual setting, without the complexity and cost of a real engine.
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group chief executive, said this innovation reinforces Qatar Airways’ reputation as an “airline of the future”. He added: “By adopting the latest technology in our engineering department, we aim to ensure that passengers arrive at their destination smoothly and without disruption.”
Rolls-Royce’s Chris Cholerton, president, civil aerospace, said VR performs a similar role in engineer training to simulators in pilot training. Since the UK-based engine prime designs, tests and maintains engines “in the digital realm”, it makes sense to apply similar cutting-edge technology to training.
“Qatar Airways was the first airline to take delivery of the Trent XWB, and their forward-thinking vision across their business makes them the perfect launch partner for this technology,” he said.
In 2018, Qatar Airways was the launch customer for RampVR, pioneered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which it uses to train its ground operations staff. This award-winning system harnesses advanced VR technology to simulate airside conditions.