New Delhi: India’s largest airline IndiGo has taken a major step towards digital technology to make pilot training modern and more effective. The airline has signed an agreement with Skywise, Airbus’ digital services company, to adopt the A320 Virtual Procedure Trainer (VPT). With this, IndiGo has become the world’s first airline to adopt the VPT training package for abnormal and emergency procedures.
VPT is an interactive, cloud-based digital platform through which pilots will be able to practise an aircraft cockpit using virtual reality (VR) and flat-screen devices. With this technology, pilots will be able to understand aircraft switches, controls, levers and various systems, and practise normal flight procedures as well as methods to be followed in emergency situations.
The objective is to familiarise pilots with cockpit operations and procedures even before they move to an actual flight simulator. This will allow simulator training time to be used more effectively. However, VPT will not be a replacement for mandatory flight simulator training, but a supplement to it.
IndiGo is already using Airbus’ MATe Suite digital training system, with which about 6,300 flight crew members are associated. The company plans to train around 1,000 pilots every year to meet the needs of its rapidly growing aircraft fleet.
Amid rising demand for pilots in the aviation sector, the initiative is being seen as important for increasing training capacity and strengthening safety procedures. The airline believes the new technology will give pilots an opportunity to practise at their own pace and prepare better for complex situations.
Hashtags: #DelhiState #Delhi #IndiGo #VPT #PilotTraining #Airbus #Technology #Pilots #Training #Skywise
