During 2013-2014 all ATCOs working at 19 Avinor (Norwegian ANSP) towers are receiving their continuation training on Entry Point North’s 360 degree state of the art simulators. The training is performed on replicas of the respective airport layouts including tower equipment and traffic complexity. To ensure that the training is performed cost effectively and without operational disruptions, exercises and schedules have been carefully outlined in close cooperation with Avinor.
This is a fully customised training solution for Avinor. All the airport layouts and exercises replicating local scenarios are produced by Entry Point North simulator systems experts. The design is based on large quantities of data, photographic images and information about the local traffic scenarios to be used in relevant exercises. After the airport layout and exercises are developed, they are reviewed and tested together with the operational ATCOs from the units.
The continuation training is very realistic. After just a few minutes in the simulator the controllers feel ‘like being at home’ and are ready to start training for difficult operations, heavy traffic situations, new procedures, or whatever else is needed to train in this specific ‘continuation circle’.
This continuation training has already proved to be very successful. Tor Fosse, head of training at Stavanger/Sola said: “Stavanger/Sola airport had to undergo major new construction during the summer resulting in closing part of one runway. We used the simulation to prepare our ATCOs on new workflow, procedures and conflict points, which was a great help when the work actually started.”
Entry Point North has thirteen 3D tower simulators and offers its services to any ANSP requiring continuation training on a replica of a specific airport layout for refresher, conversion, emergency or any other type of training.