LATAM Airlines Group has recently made an advanced move in the aviation industry. They have integrated virtual reality (VR) into their cabin crew training program, becoming the first airline group in Latin America to do so.
This new approach allows multiple crew members to get trained simultaneously, without the need for a grounded aircraft. Therefore, can be an efficient and cost-effective choice in the long run.
Contents
When This Project Started: A Year Into Making
The planning and development of this project started a year ago as a collaboration between LATAM Airlines and NTT Data, the Japanese technology firm. They aimed to create a VR system that could replicate the environment of a real aircraft.
Over five months, the two companies ensured that every detail, from procedures to visuals, matched the actual LATAM’s aircrafts. In the end, they created a sophisticated training tool that provides amazingly realistic visuals.
Therefore, cabin crew members can now practice in a virtual aircraft that replicates all the real-life conditions and scenarios.
Immersive Learning & Better Efficiency
Ignacio Echeverría, the Director of Internal Communications at LATAM Airlines Group, says that this integration of VR complements the existing hands-on training for crew members at the CAE training center. However, VR offers an edge with simultaneous training of up to 25 members.
Previously, the practice was done individually which took over four hours to be completed. Now, an average of 8-10 people complete their practice in less than an hour. This dramatic reduction in training time not only saves time but valuable resources too.
One of the most useful benefits of VR training is being able to create immersive and repetitive sessions for various critical scenarios. This aspects helps the learners gain a deeper knowledge of procedures and protocols to follow in a critical situation.
With routine practices, crew members can form muscle memory and confidence to handle emergencies.
Expansion of VR Training Across Latin America
The VR training program was first launched in Chile with the course focused on opening and closing doors on an Airbus A320 aircraft. 30 crew members participated in this course. Soon, additional training modules are set to be launched to handle emergencies.
Following the success of this initial course in Chile, LATAM Airlines is planning to extend this approach to its subsidiaries in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Paraguay. Each subsidiary will test the effectiveness of VR training and consider using it into their crew training program.
Conclusion
LATAM Airlines Group’s success of the program can potentially inspire other airlines in Latin America. The integration of VR is a groundbreaking moment in the airline’s history.
As VR in aviation industry gets more widely adopted, it is going to impact the industry profoundly — setting new standards.