Simulator provides on-the-job training for air traffic controllers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matt McGovern
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CA. --  What career field is responsible for the safety of countless personnel and aircraft in the skies around Travis?

Air traffic controllers are the Air Force professionals who hold this responsibility.

To train air traffic controllers and keep them sharp, ATC personnel train in the Tower Simulator System.

Apprentice controllers use the simulator for realistic practice on tactical approaches, adverse weather conditions like ground fog and changes to the traffic pattern.

“This system is vastly superior in getting trainees ready to control live traffic. They get to see actual situations that they will encounter when communicating with aircraft,” said Tech. Sgt William Ward, 60th Operations Support Squadron, chief controller.

The simulator replicates the tower environment by providing a visual representation of the Travis airfield, which allows for in-depth, realistic training for air traffic controllers. The simulator can also be programmed with the details of other bases’ airfields so that controllers can familiarize themselves with a base prior to deploying.

“It gives controllers a heads up on what to expect at a deployed location, which makes their adjustment training faster,” said Sergeant Ward.

Configured like a real ATC tower, there is an operations console comprised of the three operating positions that makes up a typical control tower.

The visual display is that of Travis so that when trainees use it, it looks exactly as it would if they were actually standing in the tower cab.

The entire program functions off a series of about 20 computers that communicate with each other to present a totally interactive presentation: the controllers see and say exactly what they would in the cab.

“Controllers can use real-time voice activation in the simulator. Air traffic actually responds and follows directions to trainees voices,” said Sergeant Ward.

Six projectors present a visual display of the base airfield. Digital photos were taken prior to the TSS’s installation to ensure an exact replica was available for our use.

In front of the projectors is a set up for three controllers with equipment and resources that replicates what one would find in the tower cab.

“The simulator is an exciting, realistic training environment,” said Sergeant Ward.

This realism helps prepare controllers along with custom-made scenarios to address in-flight or ground emergencies like saturated traffic patterns and poor weather conditions.

“If and when [emergencies] happen in reality, the controllers are aptly equipped to handle tough situations well,” said Staff Sgt. Lisa Tallmadge, 60th OSS, air traffic controller.

According to Sergeant Ward, air traffic control is a profession taken very seriously.

“We are charged with a daunting mission—keeping the skies safe for literally billions of dollars worth of aircraft and thousands of lives,” said Sergeant Ward.

“Our training is long and hard, which makes having a tool such as the simulator such a blessing.”