NZ cloud-based simulation for Australian ATCs

Australian air traffic controllers will soon be undertaking training with a simulation service delivered remotely from New Zealand, as part of a unique trans-Tasman partnership. 

Airways International Ltd, the commercial arm of Airways New Zealand has signed a three-year contract with air navigation service provider (ANSP) Airservices Australia for the provision of an air traffic control (ATC) simulation service for Australian ATCs – including the lease of a mobile TotalControl simulator, remote simulation piloting and related support services. 

The contract between the two organisations enables Airservices Australia to utilise Airways International’s TotalControl “sim in a suitcase” as a mobile training tool – moving it around units across Australia for use by ATCs to undertake critical operational training.  As part of the agreement Airways will provide a remote simulation pilot service – with Airways staff acting as pilots in the simulator, creating simulator exercises and building new aerodromes from their base in New Zealand. 

This simulation-as-a-service contract is the first of its kind for Airways International, with the service to be delivered via the cloud.  The organisation has traditionally commissioned and installed simulation hardware solutions for ANSPs across the globe.  With this type of service contract, Airservices Australia will trial a TotalControl simulation solution for its control towers, with the flexibility to utilise Airways International’s remote piloting service as required during simulator exercises. 

Airways International has extensive capabilities in the provision of remote simulation piloting services –a similar TotalControl simulator offering is already in place in New Zealand for Airways’ own ATC training. 

Airways International CEO Sharon Cooke says, “Our investment in TotalControl’s cloud-based simulation, and the expertise we’ve developed in the provision of remote simulation services for Airways in New Zealand sees us well placed to deliver this model for Airservices Australia.” 

“We expect that the simulation-as-a-service model will gain traction with our customers in coming years, as we understand the challenges that come with maintaining your own simulator, as well as staffing for the variability of simulation services. We look forward to hearing about the benefits of the service for Airservices Australia,” Ms Cooke adds. 

Airservices Australia Head of Operational Training and Resourcing, Marcus Knauer, says Airservices’ air traffic controllers would benefit from having access to training technology that can easily customise training exercises to practice critical air traffic control skills.  

“Airservices will trial this technology initially with Airways International developing a TrueView replication of operations at Sydney Tower commencing in September 2024 – we’ll then extend to a further five aerodromes with a focus on compromised separation exercises,” Marcus says.  

“This mobile technology solution will enable the delivery of training locally and support operational continuity through reduced disruption to work schedules,” he adds. 

The Airservices Australia sim-as-a-service contract is the latest in a series of TotalControl simulation contracts secured by Airways International over the past year.  This includes the installation of a 360-degree Tower simulator in Nepal, a 270-degree tower simulator in Croatia, and the commissioning of a mobile simulator in Cape Verde. 

Airways’ TotalControl is one of the most realistic and flexible simulation platforms on the global market, with real-world tower graphics that take advantage of terrain mapping data, photo-realistic 3D rendered models and TotalControl’s leading-edge TrueView technology.  TotalControl simulators vary in size and complexity, from desktop mobile simulators to free-standing 360-degree tower simulators with very large screens.  

There are more than 70 TotalControl simulators in use across the world.