KLM Cityhopper will start on 5 November with Virtual Reality training (VR) for pilots flying the Embraer 175 and 190 aircraft types. KLM reports this on their website. The goal is to use the training time more effectively. It also yields cost savings. The VR training courses have been developed in-house. KLM Cityhopper is the first airline to integrate VR in the training program for pilots on Embraer aircraft. 

KLM subsidiary KLM Cityhopper operates flights within Europe with a fleet of Embraers. In order to be able to respond more flexibly to the different training needs of pilots, decided KLM Cityhopper to investigate the possibilities of VR. In addition, the new way of training results in cost savings, partly because less work is done with external suppliers and pilots can be rostered more flexibly.

 

“Virtual Reality (VR) appears to make accessible training possible. It's on-demand and location independent, you don't have to be in a classroom or simulator at a specific time. Moreover, it invites you to discover what can be done completely safely in a virtual environment, says Sebastian Gerkens, Senior Instructor Embraer at KLM Cityhopper. With this VR solution the pilots get used to the cockpit and the simulator time can be used more effectively. ”

Three uses

The VR training courses were developed by KLM's own VR experts in collaboration with KLM Cityhopper for the Embraer 175 and 190. These are three applications that are part of the so-called Type Rating Course, which is necessary to familiarize pilots with the specific characteristics of the aircraft type on which they are to fly.

  1. Virtual cockpit - the pilot is located in the cockpit, which consists of an interactive computer-generated image of the control panels. 
  2. Instruction video - the pilot can watch a flight in a 360-degree film in the cockpit. 
  3. Walk-around - 360-degree static photos allow the kite to walk through and around the aircraft. 

“These are also the three different ways in which you can capture content that is used to create Virtual Reality applications,” explains Werner Soeteman, VR Center Of Excellence manager at KLM IT. The interactive virtual cockpit was created entirely by our team of VR developers and 3D designers with computers. For the 360-degree film and photos, one of our VR engineers flew with an advanced 360-degree camera in the cockpit. All this in close collaboration with the pilots of KLM Cityhopper. Our developers themselves have no idea how an Embraer works, although they have come a long way now. ”

Longer term EASA certification

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KLM has been researching what Virtual Reality can mean for the training of employees for some time now. For example, VR is already being used by KLM for the training of maintenance technicians and the cabin crew of KLM Cityhopper. Now the pilots of the Embraer 175 and 190 are added. The VR training courses are an addition to the existing training program. KLM Cityhopper is investigating whether it is possible to have the training courses certified by EASA, so that they can replace some parts in the longer term. Think for example of classroom lessons, posters and books. Of course, the safety and quality of the training remain paramount.

Also read: KLM is opening VVR to staff for the second time this year

 

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