3D Training Simulator
Global Ground Support is a leading manufacturer of military, airline and airport support equipment. Global manufactures a complete range of sizes and models of mobile deicing/decontamination equipment and fixed pedestal-mounted deicing systems, including 3200-gallon units with boom heights to 70 feet.Global's mission is to provide the ultimate in equipment and support on the ground to get your flight in the air on time. To that end, Global hired ForgeFX to develop an interactive 3D simulation for the operators of their Extended Reach Deicers.
The Global Ground Support airplane deicing simulator was developed for airport ground support equipment operators. This simulator gives Global's customers a tool to conduct simulation-based training, allowing operators to train for the deicing process year-round. They are able to become skilled with the equipment controls without having to use expensive real-world materials and risk damage to expensive aircraft. A number of screen shots are available below.
The Global Ground Support Deicing Simulator is a 3D computer-based training simulation system that provides an operator with the ability to practice and take a “performance test” while performing a virtual aircraft deicing event in a 3D environment. Deicing an aircraft is costly, mission critical (lives of crew and passengers dependent on a successful deicing), contingent upon knowledge of the type of plane and particular weather conditions, requires operation of extremely expensive equipment, and requires a high level of dexterity and spatial relations ability of the operator.
Clearly, operators require experiential training, but preferably not with the actual planes or deicing equipment until after they are familiar with the equipment, weather conditions, and procedures. Traditional training and videos turn operators into passive audience members, while a simulation turns operators into active participants.
When all planes take off in stormy weather, they must be deiced. Without
being properly deiced, the ice can break off of the wing in mid-flight,
be injected by the engine, and cause a plane to crash. With stakes as
high as these, training of deicing operators is a very serious business,
and it can also be a very expensive and difficult one. The software simulates
Global Ground Support’s 2200TEAP deicer. The software coupled with
the hardware, which includes joysticks, pedals, and a wide screen display,
give the user a first person perspective from the viewpoint of an operator
sitting within the cab of the real-world deicer.
The simulation tracks the performance of users and records their scores
for review by the instructor. Users are scored on their performance in
regards to the factors of a deicing event, including amount of contaminant
removed, time taken, gallons of fluid used, no-spray area violations,
and aircraft collisions. This scoring system allows operators to compete
against each other and have fun while learning the correct procedures.
Using real-time 3D simulations for decades, the military takes it for
granted that simulation-based learning for real-world experience pays
off. When the safety of a nation is at stake, simulation-based learning
is a clear cut choice in training development materials. ForgeFX works
with organizations to develop real-time 3D simulations, a fundamental
component in the training curriculum when lives are in the balance.
Technical education and experience are both necessary and important. Education is provided from classroom settings, books, videos, etc. Experience, when hardware is available and money is no object, is gained from direct experience with the equipment. It can, however, be provided far more economically and safely from a simulation.
The operator of the simulation has full control over the 2200TEAP’s
boom arm, cab rotation, truck location, nozzle settings, cab lights, type
of plane, time of day, and environmental controls. This gives Global Ground
Support the ability to train all of their operators on the functionality
of the real-world deicer without incurring the associated costs or having
to wait for a storm. Deicing operators must be very careful when deicing
planes, since any collision between deicing equipment and a plane is very
costly. A collision requires the plane to be grounded, causing flight
delays, which cost airlines tens of thousands of dollars. Whereas a collision
taking place in the real-world can be a costly mistake, in a simulation
it becomes a valuable learning experience for the operator.
Another challenge of preparing deicing operators is that there are limited
windows of opportunity to train in real-world environments as the temperature
and precipitation levels need to be correct for ice to form on planes.
The fuel and fluids required for training are also very costly. The price
of the deicing and anti-icing fluids are expensive, and cut directly into
the airlines' profits. Training operators to become familiar with nozzle
and spray controls within the simulation, using the simulation's real-time
fluid dynamics rendering system, adds up to big savings.
The simulation software connects to USB joysticks, giving the operator complete control of the truck, boom arm, operator's cab, and nozzle in the virtual 3D space. Operators are now able to spend unlimited amounts of time with virtual materials practicing deicing maneuvers, providing a significant cost reduction and advantage over real-world training. With simulation-based learning, mistakes and resources that are costly in the real-world are instead units of measurement in a simulation that allows for user tracking and behavior correction.