Efforts to computer-generate air traffic control (ATC) environments inside flight simulation training devices (FSTDs) have advanced significantly in step with an emerging consensus about the benefits, several specialists say. The airline industry has spent about six years considering systems and methods that would go far beyond current training of candidates for the multi-crew pilot license (MPL) in a few countries. Panelists spoke in April during the World Aviation Training Conference and Trade Show (WATS 2010) in Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Other conference speakers urged caution in deploying the emerging capabilities, saying that disruptive effects on primary training objectives for experienced airline pilots ultimately could outweigh the safety benefits of added realism. Synthesized interactive ATC radio communication also might complicate an already rapid proliferation of special purpose operational training, said Rory Kay, executive air safety chairman, Air Line Pilots Association, I…
