Singapore Changi Airport has announced plans to begin simulator training in order to better prepare employees for the task of operating an aerobridge.
Changi Airport Group (CAG) said the virtual reality exercise would reduce time spent training on the actual aerobridge by 25 per cent, increasing efficiency by freeing up the bridge for aircraft to use.
“It will give trainees hands-on experience in manoeuvring on a replica of the physical aerobridge as well as make it very convenient for them to practice what they would need to do on an actual aerobridge,” said Sunny Yang, CAG’s associate general manager of airside management.
All aerobridges are in use during the morning and evening peak air traffic times, meaning practical training sessions have to take place over several days.
While trainees will still have to prove their proficiency on a physical facility, the customisable simulator allows workers to practise without access to the physical structure, as well as the opportunity to deal with various different weather and aircraft scenarios.
Local firm Aviation Virtual developed the simulator alongside Changi Airport, which is expecting to handle 150 million passengers per year once their terminal 5 is completed in 2030 – a key reason behind the desire to optimise aerobridge training.
