New chapter of training in the aerospace industry
The aerospace industry is both at the forefront of innovation, using groundbreaking engineering solutions to continuously improve operational excellence. and conservative in adapting the latest, untried technologies. However, the training process of employees, engineers and crew members still follows manual and traditional methodologies in most cases. This is where Leopoly steps in, and provides a way to revolutionize the training approach in the aerospace industry. We are excited to work together with industry players to digitize training materials with the help of the latest XR technologies and our expertise. As a result, although every flying machine is the pinnacle of engineering, ground handling and crew training often still follow paper-based, traditional forms. That’s why we are so enthusiastic when one of the biggest players in the industry decides to digitize this area – and once it does, it goes straight for the latest, but reliable solutions.
Time to change outdated training methods in the aerospace industry
In this project, the aim was to develop an XR-based approach to maintenance training for a civil airliner. How can the use of XR technologies help to improve the ground handling of aircraft, the training of specific maintenance and monitoring procedures and the verification of related knowledge? The project involved a pre-take-off check of an aircraft and the removal and installation of one of its components in an ever-changing and memorable training system, while also preparing the aircraft for the possibility of practising all maintenance operations on the same platform in the future.
Of course, there are great textbooks available for teachers and students, but a 3D personal experience will have a much stronger impact. Interactive XR technology often gives you perspectives that are not available in a static representation, and allows you to practice each step of the work in an interactive way without the need to physically have the plane or part. In addition, the gamified handling enhances the learning experience for the students.
Modules and features
The pre-take-off inspection of the aircraft is presented using the formal elements of a video game, with the student checking nearly 100 parts, many of which are randomly displayed in a defective state. During the walk-around, each item to be inspected is judged to be in condition ready to fly. A wide variety of faults are simulated, partly by visualizing the fault and partly by animated effects. Two more playful quiz modes support the practice of the names of the parts to be checked, while additional knowledge is acquired through the textual information for each part. The first person perspective on an autostereoscopic screen is much more immersive, trains the spatial memory of the students and gives a more natural way of memorizing the context and relationships in such a complex system.
Another module in the app allows you to practice the steps of removing and installing a main component without students leaving the classroom. The workflow can be practiced in a guided way, where each step is accompanied by instructions and can only be performed in the correct order, but the student can try it out without assistance, but must be prepared for the possibility that a wrong order will permanently halt the process. The 3D visualization makes the challenges of spatial layout, the correct way to use tools and the logical sequence of steps almost as tangible as the time-consuming and often unachievable workshop work.
