1) Aircraft technical training historically separated theoretical classroom training and practical hands-on training, but virtual training tools now allow merging the two. 2) Virtual practical trainers (VPTs) were introduced to supplement hands-on training by practicing aircraft systems operations virtually, reducing costs and risks. 3) The current evolution is a common Virtual Technical Training tool that combines e-learning, computer-based training, and VPTs to successively provide theoretical and practical training lessons and activities.

1. Virtual Technical Training
Merging training means
Stéphane METIVET
- Projects Manager

2. Feb. ‘14
2
Technical training
Aircraft technical training is performed by:
A new approach is to make both learning and practicing merged in a common training tool
LEARNING
To know
PRACTICING
How to

3. Aircraft technical training comprises theoretical and practical training.
Historically:
•Theoretical training is delivered in classroom with dedicated means (technical training documentation, CBT*, training materials, instructor teaching and support…)
•Practical training is performed on real aircraft, equipment or based trainers with instructor
Both theoretical and practical training are historically provided in training facilities (training center or within operator facilities)
3
Technical training means
Feb. ‘14
Training facilities
Practical training
Real aircraft
Real based trainer
Real equipment or systems
Theoretical training
CBT
Technical Training Documentation
Training Material
* CBT: Computer Based Training

4. Virtual training means were introduced with Virtual Practical Trainers (VPT) for practical training.
The objective was:
•To get a better comprehension and perception of aircraft systems functioning
•To practice safely systems operations, maintenance tasks and troubleshooting, in normal or abnormal situation
•To reduce cost and time for training on real aircraft
4
Introducing virtual training
Feb. ‘14
CBT
Theoretical training
Practical training
Training facilities
VPT
Real aircraft
Real based trainer
Real equipment or systems
Technical Training Documentation
Training Material
* VPT: Virtual Practical Trainer

5. Training facilities
The VPT has permitted to reduce training duration on real equipment, systems and aircraft, by reallocating practical training activities on VPT.
In addition, e-Learning has enabled development of off site initial training (out of training facilities).
Combination of both has made possible to reduce costs thanks to:
•Less of real aircraft immobilization and potential risks of damages
•Less of travels and time spent in training facilities
•Standalone initial training
5
Reallocating training objectives
Feb. ‘14
Real equipment
Real systems
Real aircraft
CBT
Technical training doc.
Training material
Theoretical training
Practical training
Off site
VPT
Training facilities
Training objectives
E-Learning
Training objectives

6. The use of 3D data in real time has an initial cost, but shared for the benefits of various training means (including VPTs). It provides:
•Enhanced and realistic presentation of the aircraft, systems and environment
•Efficient update and maintainability across the training means Virtual reality (3D in real time) in the VPT allowed to save about 40%* of the time spent on real aircraft for practical training.
6
Introducing 3D for training
Feb. ‘14
Commons sources for CBT and VPT
VPT in realistic environment
VPT with realistic systems
E-Learning
CBT
VPT Flight
VPT Maintenance
VPT Cabin
Real Time 3D data (managed sources files)
Aircraft manufacturer data (various formats)
* Source Airbus Training

7. The current evolution is the merge of both theoretical and practical training in a common Virtual Technical Training tool.
•The e-Learning training (distance learning) is dedicated to initial and general familiarization training
•The CBT and the VPT are combined in a Virtual Technical Training tool providing successively theoretical and practical activities
•Specific training on real systems and aircraft are limited to the necessary activities
Last, new applications and developments offer the possibility to provide the Virtual Technical Training on laptop, which permits training off site and/or in classroom.
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Merging training means (1/3)
Feb. ‘14
E-Learning
Theoretical training
Practical training
Off site
Training facilities
CBT
VPT
Off site and/or Training Facilities
Real equipment
Real systems
Real aircraft
Virtual
Technical Training

8. Lesson
Presentation
Description and location
Demonstration and operation
Practice by yourself
CBT (learning)
VPT (practicing)
Illustration of the learning and practicing
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Merging training means (2/3)
Feb. ‘14
CBT
VPT
Virtual
Technical Training
Lesson
Lesson
Lesson
Lesson
Lesson

9. The Virtual Technical Training concept provides benefits in terms of:
•Realistic representation of a/c systems functioning and environments
•Pedagogical approach combining theoretical and practical training
•Practical training with guided and free practice modes
•Optimized development of simulated a/c systems (limited to the training objectives)
•Maintainability, updating and customization
•Lightness and mobility of the solution
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Merging training means (3/3)
Feb. ‘14
Illustration of successive theoretical
and practical lessons in a linear cursus
Theoretical
Theoretical
Practical
Practical

10. Today’s objective is to develop this concept with the:
•Optimization for the use off site and in standalone
•Development of task sharing activities (through network)
•Development of optional immersive and interactive solutions
10
Developing the Virtual Technical Training
Feb. ‘14
Virtual Technical Training
Theoretical training
Practical training
CBT
VPT
Off site and/or Training Facilities

11. Virtual Technical Training
Merging training means
Stéphane METIVET
- Projects Manager
Thank you for your attention…