How close is a pushback tug simulator to the real thing on the tarmac?

Ground support is a crucial and often overlooked part of an airport’s operations. Due to the unique role of ground support, training is essential for safety and developing critical skills for the job.

A great example of this is pushback drivers - the people who tow aircraft from one place to another.

This niche job requires skills not easily picked up outside of training and experience. Keep reading to learn how a pushback tug simulator like Airside-Pushback™ can offer new and experienced drivers the aircraft pushback training they need to keep both people and equipment safe.

Why being close to real experience is important

Using an aircraft pushback tug is a unique experience. There’s no vehicle like it - a pushback has a delicate balance of being low to the ground but having the strength to tow an aircraft. That’s not even mentioning the process of hitching an aircraft to the vehicle.

In-depth aircraft pushback training is crucial for pushback drivers - and aircraft fleet managers need to pick the right type of learning experience for their trainees.

Experiential training, also known as engaged learning, is the education technique of letting trainees learn by doing. By putting theory into practice, trainees better understand how to handle a pushback vehicle when they’re on their own.

Finding a way to provide engaged training while keeping trainees safe is a struggle many ground support managers face. Investing in a realistic pushback tug simulator is an ideal solution. 

How Airside-Pushback™ Sim provides a realistic experience for users

Airside-Pushback™ Sim offers a variety of features that create a realistic learning experience for users while keeping people and equipment safe.

Conventional and towbarless tractor options

Driver Training Solutions understands that each ground support team works differently, which is why Airside-Pushback™ Sim offers the ability to train with conventional and towbarless tractor options. Each vehicle has unique techniques for correct use, and the simulator allows trainees to practice these techniques in a controlled environment. 

Real airport configurations

Airside-Pushback™ Sim has a library of real airport gate configurations to enhance the user’s experience. Contact us to learn which airports are part of the simulator’s library. 

Ability to change environmental factors

Pushback drivers will have to work in various environments, and their aircraft tug training needs to reflect that. Airside-Pushback™ Sim allows instructors to change environmental factors like:

• Obstacles 
• Runway conditions
• Time of day
• Weather

Vehicle malfunctions

All support teams need to train drivers on how to handle pushback tug malfunctions.

Create controlled breakdowns through a simulated experience. Trainees can practice their reactions and how to solve malfunctions without worrying about causing damage to equipment or people nearby.

Vehicle breakdowns are one of the most common reasons accidents occur while the ground support crew is working.

Features that engage users’ senses

A realistic aircraft pushback training experience needs to interact with the user’s senses, which is why Airside-Pushback™ Sim has the following features:

• A six-channel surround-sound system that creates vibrations based on what the user is doing or experiencing
• Adjustable mirrors
• A physical turn signal lever and shift lever
• Force-loaded steering that provides real-time feedback (with and without an aircraft attached)

In-use pushback tugs

Have trainees experience being behind the wheel of various pushback tractors and other large vehicles, including:

• FMC Expediter 160 (towbarless)
• Freightliner M2 catering truck
• GMC Sierra 2500 lav and water trucks
• Grove MB2 tractor
• International 4400 rigid oil tank truck
• JBT AeroTech B1200 tractor
• JBT AeroTech Tempest deicer truck
• Lektro 88 (towbarless)
• Tronair tractor (towbarless)
• Tug-Rnaut baggage tug and cart
• Wollard TC 888 baggage conveyor

Multiple in-use aircraft options

Airside-Pushback™ Sim also offers various aircraft for users to practice towing:

• Airbus: A319 / A320 / A380
• Boeing: B737-400 / B737-800 / B747-400 / B757-200 / B757-300 / B767-400/ B777-300
• Bombardier: CRJ-900
• De Havilland: Dash 8
• Douglas: DC-9-30
• Embraer: ERJ145, E-175

How trainers can use Airside-Pushback™ Sim to its full potential

What makes Airside-Pushback™ Sim a worthy aircraft pushback training tool is the realistic experience it provides and the tools it offers instructors to provide proper feedback to trainees. The instructor tools allow for custom feedback and the ability to address specific problems during training. 

Instructor station

This tool gives instructors complete control of all aspects of aircraft tug training, from setting up scenarios to offering post-training feedback. The Instructor Station’s features include:

• A single screen for controlling up to four different simulators
• Multiple display areas and control buttons
• The ability to control and manipulate vehicles within the simulator
• The ability to make the user’s vehicle malfunction
• The ability to schedule scripted events

Replay Studio

The Replay Studio offers features like:

• Connecting to the Instructor Station for a live feed
• In-cab display cameras
• The camera switching to black-and-white infrared mode in low light
• The ability to fast-forward and rewind training
• The ability to record a student’s position, facial expressions, and hand reactions
• The ability to zero in on moments of scoring violations
• Recording and replaying training from multiple angles

Learning Management System (LMS)

Airside-Pushback™ Sim's LMS has features that allow instructors to:

• Assign students to classes
• Capture trainee information
• Create and store assessments
• Create custom scenarios based on needs
• Create individual or group reports
• Create, manage, and load lessons/plans
• Create new training classes
• Delete classes
• Manage a list of students
• Review assessments 
• Track the length of a drive (miles and time), number of violations, and number of warnings

Make drivers feel more prepared with a simulator

Handling a pushback tractor requires a niche set of skills that can only be learned through training and experience. A simulator offers pushback drivers the chance to learn these skills and the ability to make mistakes in a safe environment. It also lets them get a feel for the different controls and how it feels to drive a pushback with and without an aircraft attached to it while improving their spatial awareness.

As trainees get more comfortable with the pushback tug, trainers can increase the difficulty level of the scenarios. This exposes trainees to dangerous situations in a controlled environment - so if a similar situation occurs in real life, they’ll be better prepared to handle it.

Additionally, a simulator offers the ability to repeat specific scenarios with ease. Repeating aircraft tug training lessons is crucial for trainees to retain the lessons and build up muscle memory. With enough repetition, trainees will be able to perform certain actions - such as adjusting for the weight of an aircraft - automatically. 

Why ground support teams choose to train with Airside-Pushback™ Sim 

Pushback tug simulators offer comprehensive aircraft pushback training without putting anyone on the team in danger. A simulator works as an engaged learning tool and offers a realistic experience without the potential to cause damage to the equipment - potentially saving thousands of dollars a year. 

Using Airside-Pushback™ Sim offers all this and more to ground support teams. The Instructor Station streamlines the training process and provides consistent training even if the trainer changes. 

Contact Driver Training Solutions to learn more about Airside-Pushback™ Sim.