Synthetic Training Devices
Small-scale training simulators or STDs (synthetic training devices) as they are usually called in the aviation industry are extremely valuable in maintenance training in industry. They are useful in both fundamental knowledge and skill set training.
Education studies going back to the time of Confusius have found:
I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember
I do and I understand
(c. 450 BC)
More recent and relevant in the context of maintenance training notes:
Students remember:
-
10% of what they read
-
20% of what they hear
-
30% if they see visuals as they hear
-
50% if they see a demonstration by someone else
-
90% if they do it themselves even if it is a simulation
(D. Menn, Boeing 1993)
There are practical reasons why simulators are used rather than practicing on real plant. Some of the more obvious reasons are:
-
cost of down-time for machine or ground-time for aircraft
-
workplace hazard when dealing with real equipment
-
not feasibile to introduce faults in real equipment
-
availability of simulators 24x7 and at any location
ASTech have extensive experience in developing small-scale simulators for use in training. They are used to reinfoce underlying sciencific principles and for complex procedural tasks.
Examples are:
-
NOSTRA - Network Operator Switching Training Aid
-
B737 VLab - Simulation of main B737 subsystems (electrical, hydraulic etc.)
-
Part-66 Basic Vlabs - Virtual Labs to reinforce fundamental principles
|
|
_0.png)
