Aviation eLearning developed a unique way of creating electronic training apps using high definition pictures from real aircrafts. Our Virtual 360 Editor (V360E) consists on a platform/tool for training providers (e.g. airline companies, flight schools, training...
Aviation eLearning developed a unique way of creating electronic training apps using high definition pictures from real aircrafts. Our Virtual 360 Editor (V360E) consists on a platform/tool for training providers (e.g. airline companies, flight schools, training organizations) to design training applications adapted to their training programmes, requirements and needs. Pilots, cabin crew or ground staff can use the generated electronic Procedure Trainer (ePT) applications in mobile devices. Current training practices and tools have several limitations, which ultimately result in high costs and little flexibility. The high-level training is based on extremely complex and expensive simulators. In this way, AeL technology will fulfill the needs of the aviation training industry by offering a high-quality product.
The main objectives of this project and the developments performed were:
1. To assess the needs and requirements for the initial customer segments
During the past 5 months we have engaged with several aviation experts, executives and training experts as well as safety managers to establish the foundation for scaling the business potential and market size. During this work we have learned that the aviation industry is truly global (except for very local regions such as parts of former Soviet Kazakstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and few countries in Latin America and in Africa). The same aircraft is flown using a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) which are typically adopted to the local culture and tradition of the air operator. It therefore makes no sense to limit our market potential only to Medium size operators within EU - we should aim for the global market but in a structured roadmap and timeline. EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Asia, including China) and North America are the regions with most flights, highest competition and best IT infrastructure, which is why we will target these areas first. Secondly South America and Russia, and lastly Africa will be the target markets.
We have initially focused on two aircraft types, the two most common civilian transport aircraft, Boeing 737 and Airbus 320, both sold in more than 6000 units each. Phase 1 have clearly indicated that many other aircraft types should be offered. However, the huge number of aircraft types and models turn critical to have specific and tailored trainings to each aircraft type. At this point we realized that to offer ePT apps to all the aircrafts operating in aviation industry, with procedures customized to each operator would be a huge time-consuming job and we would not be capable to penetrate in the market as fast as we would like. Besides that, during Phase 1 interviews, where the focus was to demonstrate our ePT for pilots and cabin crew as our end-product, we received additional feedback from different air operators indicating the need of an editor platform to be used by their internal training managers with the goal to facilitate adaptation of training methodologies. Taking advantage of self-editing, the companies would create their own contents on their own pace and responsibility.
However, based on all the feedback collected in Phase 1, an editor needs to be complemented with key features required by end-users in order to be an attractive product and fulfil all the needs of training providers.
2. To establish plans for the optimization of our solutions and expansion of our services/added-value features offer
During the feasibility study, the follow features were identified as critical to the aviation operators:
Tracking and testing through third parties Learning Management System (LMS) – integration in LMS already implemented in operators systems.
Offline capability for use ePT in true anywhere and anytime.
Possibility to customize the training software with operator’s internal materials/procedures
3. To establish a scalable approach for tailoring ePT variants for airline company’s specific training processes
We have also learned that ePT must reflect company specific SOPs, that means 100% loyal to the internal procedures adopted by each airline. This requires that ePT has to be tailored to each airline company. In order to obtain a scalable product, we intend to further develop the Virtual360Editor (V360E) (a basic versions was created during Phase 1 activities) - a platform for operators to be able to create and insert their own content, which will allow them to perform and update their ePT in-house. We expect that some airlines are willing to pay us to create and even maintain the ePT, but others want to create the ePT by their own. In this way, for a complete scalable approach we intend to offer an approach based on Software as a Service (SaaS) product with client support etc. Finally, an easy to use user-manual will
Our ambition, supported in the SME Instrument, is to bring strong top-line growth into the company through the global commercialization of our editor and our training apps, transforming the aviation training industry for procedure training. Until the moment there is no any commercial editor for end-users direct utilization or even high-quality training apps for procedure training within aviation industry, which is a huge competitive advantage to AeL technology. AeL technology will ultimately lead to a more sustainable training methodology for pilots and cabin crew, as well as important savings for the airlines, aircraft operators and training institutions.
With increasing pressure for higher resource efficiency, institutions are being forced to look into proven solutions that improve the current training strategies with low cost per trainee. As the market confidence and AeL recognition increases we expect to expand globally. The most important benefits of our technology rely on improvements of trainee’s performance by reducing the failures in skill tests as well as reduction of sessions in expensive simulators. Our goal in the project (Phase 1 and 2) is to overcome prominent barriers that may hinder the successful market uptake of the technology. Furthermore, we aim to mature the technology and clearly demonstrate its benefits and functionality to the end-users. This will be achieved through trial demonstrations, which are critical for a wide market penetration. During Phase 1 we already received positive feedback and formal engagement from major stakeholders: three airline companies and one flight school. During the Phase 1 we have assessed in close collaboration with several stakeholders that our technology is feasible and there is a huge interest in having our product ready for commercialization.
More info: https://ael.aero/.