The BEST system provides a number of aids that assist in the
training of the controller students. These features are described
below.
Radar Training Instructor Facilities
An instructor will either occupy a dedicated instructor position
or sit alongside an individual student controller. When sat
alongside a student controller the instructor has a headset
connected to the student position that allows the students
communications to be monitored. In addition, the instructor can
transmit an ATC command over the current frequency that is heard by
both student and pilots. The instructor can also transmit a command
to a specified pilot that cannot be heard by the student
controller. General advice and instructions will be spoken directly
to the student.
At a dedicated instructor position the instructor is able to
'tag' a significant event during an exercise. Typically these
events would have a training value, such as a flight straying into
a restricted airspace. All exercises can be saved as a replay and
run subsequently in a classroom session. The instructor can jump to
the event tags within the exercise to discuss those events of
training interest.
The instructor can use a scratch pad feature that allows him/her
to indicate a point of interest or draw on the display of a
specified controller position. The instructor can add accompanying
text message to the indicator/drawing. The scratch pad feature is
available when running a replay and can be used to indicate flights
or regions of training interest.
Remote Display and Audio Monitoring
A audio monitoring feature is available that allows an
instructor to view the display of up to 12 controller displays as
thumbnails and listen to the comms at all or any one position. The
instructor can elect to show a particular display in a full screen
view if required.
Reporting Significant Events
A reporting feature is available that reports significant events
as they occur in the exercise. A scripted command determines which
events are reported and can include leaving or entering and airway,
area or volume, aircraft has taken off or landed, loss of
separation, air miss detected, entered a restricted area, and
others. Where a replay of the exercise has been saved, the
events associated with the exercise can be displayed for use in an
exercise debriefing session.
Pilot Playing the Adjacent FIR Controller Role
It is possible to display a prompt at a pilot position that
details the information required by the receiving controller to
correlate an inbound flight from an adjacent FIR. This allows the
pilot to play the role of an adjacent controller and contact the
receiving controller and relay the required inbound flight
information. This facility reduces the required staffing
levels.