46 SIMULATION TOOLS AND SAFETY A safer bet
Simulation tools and safety are inextricably bound up. In this article we take a look at some of the options open to those seeking a safer ramp.
Why train on a simulator?
How many reasons do you want to hear? The fact of the matter is, thanks to
ever-evolving technology, today any ramp staff member can be trained, in the safe environment of a room, on a variety of ground handling equipment; anything, in fact, from a simple tractor to a complex de-icer. And it’s not just a matter of equipment, either: simulation is effective in giving a newcomer (remote) experience of driving around the ramp and the opportunity to absorb all the rules and regulations that govern vehicle activity on the ground at today’s airport. Applications and programs have come on a lot since the early days when only rudimentary solutions were possible. Better graphics, better panoramic views and better “feel“ are all features of the modern simulation solution. The downside is, of course, that this type of training requires investment - but the safety conscious would argue that you cannot put a value on safety. It is, after all, the one credit account upon which you do not wish to draw.
The Scandinavian marketplace
What, then, is available to those looking for a safer approach to the ramp? One proponent of a safer working
environment is Vestergaard Company, which recently marked a half-century in the GSE business. During that time it has manufactured around 1,300 de-icers. The Danish company has expanded considerably in recent years, to the point that it now employs more than 260 people to support its customer needs worldwide. Arguably, its main claim to fame is the Elephant: and the Elephant BetaNG de-icer was the model launched in 2012. With a 12 metre long telescopic spray boom, enhanced reach, a more comfortable cabin and less fuel consumption, this is a state-of-the-art de-icer and one that requires a degree of familiarity before operating. Since it has sold units in Europe, Russia, the US, Japan, China and Korea, the company has taken the trouble to make available a teaching aid to ensure that the end-user gains the maximum benefit from this advanced piece of equipment. Enter the The Elephant Beta Simulator,
which is a state-of-the-art PC-based training tool. It enables operators as well as trainees to simulate most aspects of aircraft de-icing in as lifelike an environment as possible. Recently, with the assistance of VSimulation, Vestergaard Company has provided additional aircraft de-icer training simulators for GIMAS in Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. The Elephant Beta simulators are network-based: this is a bonus, for it is then possible to practise de-icing with two simulators working on the same aircraft, with one de-icer positioned on each side of the fuselage. This networking feature enables the practising of co-ordination between two operators and it is an especially valuable tool for the training of new or inexperienced employees.
The system is further able to provide
a report of the de-icing training session and includes all information regarding time spent on the operation, the quantity of fluid sprayed, and so on. With rising concern today over the cost of the turnaround process, in which every little thing and action is scrutinised, such data is vital if a handling operation is to remain as efficient as possible. Over in Paris, GIMAS’ Vestergaard simulators are located in a dedicated de- icing training room. GIMAS comes under auspices of 3S. Groupe 3S was created some ten years ago, following the purchase of 80% of Alyzia’s stock: the remaining 20% is owned by ADP. Today, the company is active in Paris as well as Bordeaux, Montpellier and Toulouse and offers a comprehensive portfolio of services. Thierry Gressier is the company’s Director of Development. “We decided to buy four simulators because we were involved in both anti- icing and de-icing operations at Roissy Charles de Gaulle with four Elephant Beta machines. This solution has allowed us to replicate the environment in which our staff work at the airport. “The fact of having these simulators has meant that we have been able to better organise our training sessions and our recycling work. It ought to be mentioned that we have almost 200 people to train every year. In this manner we have been able to spread out our training sessions over July and August
in order to be perfectly prepared for operations on October 15. “Moreover, in the eventuality an operator failure, we are well placed to take over and catch up on the operation with the minimum of delay. All the staff who have used the simulators have been unanimous in their praise over the realism of the sensations that they experience and the attention to detail within the programs. They don’t really see any gap between the feel and the commands on the simulator compared to those of the real thing out on the ramp. “For the time being the simulators
are connected in pairs: the next step will be to incorporate an interface between them. Then we hope to be able to create a command post simulation scenario, wherein our team leader will work.”
De-icing training
In the US, there are two main suppliers of de-icer simulation tools: Global Ground Support in Kansas and JBT AeroTech in Orlando. The former’s Jeff Walsh, with the experience of many years in this business under his belt, underlines one very important fact about de-icing: it has grown in complexity. ‘‘This service has grown exponentially over the years,’’ he says. ‘‘The operation used to be simple and basic but all that has changed. There’s a staggering amount to assimilate today because the equipment has evolved so much. And with evolution has come a need for effective training.” Jeff readily admits that neither he, nor anyone else, will ever make much money out of selling training tools. He’s recently sold six de-icing simulators, four of which went to the armed forces (specifically the airbases of McChord, McGuire, Pope and Charleston), whilst the remainder went to commercial operations. In all, Global has sold 44 units around the world, from Japan through Europe to the US. ‘‘The profits from the last half- dozen we’ve put back into software development,’’ he reveals. It’s a lot like Microsoft, one feels: the operation is now heading towards Version 6, no less. ‘‘Every simulation tool that we’ve sold has been received with great enthusiasm. We feel that a simulator helps an
GROUND HANDLING INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2013
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68