Maintenance/flight training device allows mechanics as well as pilots to learn
Airbus Training, working with simulator manufacturer CAE, has produced a device that can give mechanics as well as pilots a firm grounding in how to work with a new aircraft type - in this case the A320 family. Called the maintenance/flight training device (MFTD), the system takes computer-based training (CBT) to a new level by putting the interactive learning process into what feels like a "real" environment from the start, rather than separating the theory and practice.
The MFTD is laid out like a fixed- base flight simulator, but all the instrument panels are flat-screen displays with interactive touchscreen controls and buttons for all the consoles including the centre pedestal and the overhead panel. It has a fully operational flight and engine instrument displays, with an electronic centralised aircraft monitor (ECAM) that reacts as it would in the aircraft. Airbus has introduced three MFTDs for its A320 family aircraft, with 20 more on order from CAE, and will soon develop devices for its other types. The intention is to bring together both the theoretical and the practical training stages by teaching the theory in a realistic, interactive, or virtual "visual walkthrough" environment.
For pilots and mechanics starting a type conversion course, the MFTD is set to the tutorial mode, in which every action by the pilot or mechanic has a visible consequence on the panels. After each consequence, the display is frozen, with the instrument panel indications showing as they would on the real flightdeck; this could be a nose-up attitude on the primary flight display or the activation of a single hydraulic system on the overhead display. At the same time, on separate large tutorial screens, the actions and results are schematically displayed and explained in words. Then the MFTD is unfrozen to proceed to the next action.
For mechanic training, the student carries out actions according to a laptop maintenance manual, and the tutorial screen provides a virtual walk-through display of the aircraft, leading to the part location within it, and shows a schematic of what happens as the actions are carried out. So far the MFTDs are ready for pilot training, but it will be 2005 before the full programme for mechanic training has been finalised, says Airbus.
The MFTD, which costs about $1 million, is fully portable. Airbus says it has ordered 23 for its four main training centres and reports that a number of airlines including Air Malta have expressed interest in acquiring MFTDs.
DAVID LEARMOUNT / TOULOUSE
Source: Flight International
