Airways NZ installs first Total Control 360° Simulator offsh

Media Release

For immediate release
26 July 2012

Airways NZ installs first Total Control 360° Simulator offshore

Airways New Zealand has developed and installed a world-leading, highly realistic 3D air traffic control simulator in South Africa – and is investigating further global opportunities for its multi-million dollar training solution.

The installation and commissioning of the Total Control Simulator for South Africa’s Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) is a significant milestone for Airways, which controls New Zealand’s airspace and provides air traffic management and navigation services and solutions globally.

The Total Control simulator, which gives a full 360° view of the airfield, is one of the only ATC simulators in the world that imitates the full air traffic control environment, complete with real-world traffic scenarios – and can simulate any weather conditions. Airways’ own simulator is installed at their Christchurch training base for use by New Zealand and offshore air traffic control trainees.

The simulator solution developed for ATNS in South Africa is the first to be installed and commissioned outside of New Zealand for Airways, after years of research, development and investment.

Airways Research and Product Development Manager Mark Griffin says the Total Control simulator enhances the quality and speed of ATC training, at a time when the aviation industry is under increased pressure to train enough air traffic controllers to meet demand.

“With Total Control, ATC trainees can be trained to an advanced level in a real-world environment, and can significantly reduce their on-the-job training time. We’re proud to have Airways technology and expertise now installed in South Africa, which is expected to become a huge aviation market in the future,” Mr Griffin says.

The multi-million dollar ATNS contract included the design of the simulator, provision of software adaptation and training. The main system was developed to simulate the base training environment for ATNS, and Tambo Airport in Johannesburg. A second simulated South African control tower has since been added to the base training environment.

A key point of difference for Total Control is its ability to simulate all types of weather conditions, through four-dimensional modelling of New Zealand microclimates. Airways worked with Dunedin-based computer graphics experts Animation Research Ltd to build the graphics for the simulator.

“The 3D graphics deliver an experience for the trainee as close to the real thing as possible. Even sun-strike and raindrops on the cab windows are replicated with incredible realism,” Mr Griffin says.

“The Total Control simulator is a cornerstone of Airways’ training business, and after a successful installation in South Africa, we’re now focused on developing further markets and opportunities for the solution globally.”

About Airways
• Airways is a world-leading commercial Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), and operates in New Zealand as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE).
• We look after key aviation infrastructure around New Zealand and manage the more than 1 million traffic movements per year into and around New Zealand’s 30 million sq km of airspace.
• Airways delivers air traffic control and engineering training, and provides air traffic management and navigation services and consultancy in more than 65 countries.
• For more information about Airways please visit www.airways.co.nz

ENDS

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