CAAP launches P84.9-M tower simulator
THE aviation regulator on Wednesday launched the first 3D Aerodrome Tower Simulator (ATS) that will boost and improve modern aviation safety training for its personnel.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the P84.9 million project, which was formally inaugurated on Wednesday, includes supply, installation, and testing of the simulator that was completed on March 30, 2021.
“Today, I must say, I am filled with glee and appreciation on projects like this pagkat ito po ay magpapakita ng ating dedikasyon sa pagsisilbi sa taumbayan (because it will show our dedication to serving the public), Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said in a statement.
Tugade expressed his gratitude and appreciation to CAAP director general Jim Sydiongco, deputy director general for operations Don Mendoza, deputy director general for administration John Estabillio, CAAP chief of staff Danjun Lucas and DOTr Assistant Secretary for Aviation and Airports Jim Melo “for their continued hard work in implementing aviation-related projects despite challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The virtual ceremony was also joined by CAAP service chiefs, officials, and representatives from DOTr and its attached agencies, stakeholders from Air Carriers Association of the Philippines, General Aviation and Approved Training Organizations.
CAAP said the ATS features a 315-degree horizontal field of view visual simulator designed to aid traffic controllers in training, testing and maintaining proficiency in handling aerodrome control operations without risking property or lives.
It added that the use of the simulator mitigates certain risks with the ability to practice handling flight emergencies and other aviation situations without the threat of any real danger.
With the use of this state-of-the-art facility, the training of aviation personnel has now become modernized.
The aerodrome simulator will eliminate the obsolete training methods used in the aerodrome laboratory training modules of the CAAP Training Center (CATC), such as the use of miniature model airplanes that Air Traffic Controller (ATC) instructors manipulate to simulate air traffic.
The tower simulator is also cost-efficient as it offers lower expenses than conducting training in actual air traffic control conditions. It is also designed to artificially recreate the control tower environment.
The duration of the overall aerodrome training module for the Comprehensive Air Traffic Service (CATS) usually takes six weeks with two weeks allocated for the lecture phase and four weeks for the laboratory phase.
The Aerodrome Simulator is planned to be used for the training of new traffic controllers through the Comprehensive Air Traffic Service Course offered at CATC.
The training course using ATS not only aims to promote the industry of aviation as a career option but also to support the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) New Generation of Aviation Professionals initiative.
Instructional methods will be enhanced and shall give ATC trainees the appropriate impression of the ATC environment by recreating real-time visual scenarios from a control tower.
The facility can be used by full-fledged ATC and ATC trainees, who can now experience the environment of an aerodrome control tower safely and efficiently.