1988
Micro Nav Limited is founded
Fred Johnson and Mike Male, both Air Traffic Controllers, launched Micro Nav’s first generation Air Traffic Control simulator - FIRST (Flexible Independent Radar Skills Trainer). Mike and Fred pioneered the use of PCs for air traffic control simulation, making it an affordable solution for the first time.1989
A number of high-profile sales
A number of high-profile sales of the FIRST (Flexible Independent Radar Skills Trainer) ATC radar simulator, to national authorities and commercial training centres, supported Micro Nav's credibility as an ATC simulator provider. These included a first sale to AENA (now ENAIRE), the Spanish ANSP; International Aeradio Limited (now SERCO), Bailbrook College, the UK; Eurocontrol in Maastricht, the Netherlands; and the Dutch ANSP LVB (now LVNL), the Netherlands.1990
NATS College of ATC placed biggest order of FIRST
UK ATC authority NATS placed the biggest order of FIRST for the College of ATC at Hurn, Bournemouth, UK. Later, the college would go on to employ BEST at Swanwick Control Centre, London Heathrow Airport, and several regional airports.1991
The FIRST tower simulator was developed
A contract from swisscontrol (now skyguide) led to Micro Nav's move into tower simulation. The next customer was the Dutch ANSP (now LVNL) for a full 360° projected FIRST tower simulator in 1994.1991
First national government order
The German national ATC authority Bundesanstalt für Flugsicherung (BFS), now Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), ordered FIRST systems for 14 units across Germany, including their headquarters in Langen. In 2001, the DFS ordered 13 workstations of the next generation ATC simulator, BEST (Beginning to End for Simulation and Training).1995
Micro Nav sold FIRST to Hughes
Working in partnership, Micro Nav and Hughes achieved a leading international product in FIRST. Following the sale of the FIRST product line to Hughes in 1995, the partnership ended in 1998.1998
The next generation ATC simulator was developed
In June 1998, Fred and Mike started to develop the next generation Air Traffic Control simulator, BEST (Beginning to End for Simulation and Training).1998
BEST launch customers
NATS' College of ATC at Hurn, Bournemouth, UK, became the launch customer for BEST. This was followed by NATS procuring BEST to support the conversion training programme for the UK’s New En-Route Centre (NERC) at Swanwick in Hampshire, UK.1998
Tom Howard-Jones joined Micro Nav
Instrumental in bringing Hughes and Micro Nav together to establish FIRST as an industry-leading product, Tom joined Fred and Mike in 1998 to launch BEST.2001
The start of Micro Nav’s long term relationship with Thales ATM
BEST was selected as the ATSIM stimulator for the Thales ATMAS programme in Switzerland. Micro Nav started developing interfaces for driving the real radar and flight data sub-systems of the operational ATC equipment, using industry-standard protocols. The ATSIM project became COOPANS, which continues to be supported by BEST for Naviair; Austro Control; Irish Aviation Authority; HungaroControl; Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services; and Croatia Control.2001
Working with manufacturers of operational ATC systems
Interfaces were multiplied and expanded to suit a range of operational systems and partners, including:
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2003
The start of the BEST 2D and 3D tower simulator
Following the ATSIM project, swisscontrol (now skyguide) wanted to extend their training to cover tower control, leading Micro Nav to develop a tower control simulator with a ‘God’s eye view’ of the airport and its surround. skyguide referred to these simulators as BASIM, which were capable of both tower and radar training, pioneering 2D displays for tower training. Later, they wanted to add a 3D, out-of-the-window view, contracting Micro Nav to create the interface to drive a third-party image generator. Although Micro Nav had delivered 3D systems with FIRST in partnership with Hughes, this project was the beginning of Micro Nav becoming a world leader in 3D ATC tower simulation in its own right.2003
First Fighter Controller simulation contract
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) selected the BEST Fighter Control Training simulator, which was delivered to the Royal Navy School of Fighter Control at Yeovilton, UK. Advanced features included voice recognition and output, and automated semi-autonomous forces, with behaviours such as avoid, engage and aggressive.2005
From stimulation to emulation
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) chose the BEST radar and 3D tower simulator to include a replication (emulation) of their operational CAIRDE system. This provided a platform for transatlantic operations, and an evaluation of new controller tools for advanced safety and airspace restructuring programmes.2006
The world’s first continuous-image 360° ATC tower simulator
The BEST 360° ATC tower simulator was selected to provide procedure evaluation and conversion training for existing controllers working through the major enhancements at London Heathrow Airport. These included moving to the new tower; introducing electronic flight progress strips; new approach radar services; follow-the-greens, and the start of A380 aircraft operations.2007
First military simulation reference site in the Middle East
The Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Defence purchased BEST simulators for the Oman Aircraft Control College (OACC), continuing Micro Nav's relationship with the region.2007
Launch of Fast Airport Builder
Micro Nav launched Fast Airport Builder (FAB), now BEST 3D Create, a unique software tool pioneered for advanced user independence from third-party suppliers. The application quickly creates and modifies airfields and associated features, including runways, taxiways, 3D models of buildings, stopbars and other items that add realism to the 3D scene.2008
The start of BEST at Entry Point North (EPN)
A joint partnership between ANSPs, Naviair (Denmark), LFV (Sweden), Avinor (Norway) and more recently, IAA (Ireland), Entry Point North was founded in 2005 and started installing BEST simulators at their increasing number of training sites. Since then, EPN installed more BEST systems, including Sweden (3 sites), Ireland (2 sites), Hungary, Denmark, Spain, and Belgium, to become Micro Nav’s largest customer by 2018.2008
Rear-projected 360° 3D tower simulator for the Royal Netherlands Air Force
The Royal Netherlands Air Force and Micro Nav signed a contract at the Defence Materiel Organisation headquarters in The Hague. BEST was procured to cover training requirements for controllers operating at all the main Dutch military airfields. The air force constructed a purpose-built building to house the 360° tower and 8-sector radar simulator. Micro Nav’s invention of FAB was an influential factor, allowing the air force to create their own 3D visual models of airfields economically and confidentially. Later, BEST was used to simulate the entire Dutch airspace in preparation for NATO war games, prior to the influx of several hundred NATO aircraft.2008
Poland’s Air Navigation Services Agency joined as a BEST customer
The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency contracted Micro Nav to provide a 360° 3D tower simulator; four 120° 3D tower simulators; 20 radar positions; five coordinator positions; and 30 pilot positions, for their training centre in Warsaw, joining other national ANSPs as a BEST customer.2010
Winner of the Queen’s Award
Micro Nav received the UK’s most prestigious award for business performance, the Queen's Award for Enterprise, in the category of International Trade.2010
The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100
Micro Nav was listed in The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 league table, which ranks the UK’s 100 fastest-growing private tech companies.2011
The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 100
Micro Nav was listed in The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 100 league table, which ranks UK private limited companies’ international sales growth over the past two years.2011
Additional contracts for BEST simulation in Malaysia
Adding to the contract with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, awarded in 2000, Micro Nav delivered over 100 BEST positions to the Malaysian Aviation Academy.2012
Micro Nav joined the Quadrant Group of Companies
The Quadrant Group includes Quadrant Systems Ltd, Quest Flight Training, and Micro Nav Ltd, in the UK, and Quadrant Simulation Systems Inc, in the US. Quadrant’s expertise covers the provision of training instructors, plus the operation, maintenance, relocation and upgrading of flight simulators.2012
Joint founder of Micro Nav retired
After 24 years' service, Fred Johnson, one of the two founders of Micro Nav, and inventors of the FIRST and BEST simulators, retired. “Fred and I have come a long way from starting the company writing software in one of his spare rooms, to the organisation we have today. Fred has been instrumental in achieving our success, and I am grateful for the help he has given me personally, as well as spending the past couple of years mentoring talent that will ensure our continued success - thanks, Fred” - Mike Male2013
A long history in the United Arab Emirates
In 2003, BEST was selected by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) Dubai. An interface was developed to stimulate the Flight Refuelling DS1600 radar workstations. In 2005, a 2D tower simulator was added. Further enhancements led DCA (now Dubai Air Navigation Services, DANS) to claim to have the world’s largest 360º 3D tower simulator. Stimulation capabilities included the NavCanada EFPS and COIN; a link with ATRiCS TowerPad for follow-the-greens functionality; plus the Raytheon AutoTrac III. The radar and tower simulators could be connected to provide gate-to-gate training, with 13 interfaces to external systems.2013
Micro Nav’s first installation in South America
A projected 360° simulator was installed in Brazil for use by ICEA. The tower controller positions included elements of the operational ACAMS AS and Saipher systems, together with BEST displays.2014
Micro Nav granted a patent for ADAS
Micro Nav's Automatic Display Alignment System (ADAS) was granted a patent by the UK Intellectual Property Office. ADAS was used to integrate and correct the geometry and colour of projected panoramic visual displays, saving time and cost.2014
Micro Nav developed its own visual display system
Micro Nav became a full visual display solutions provider for its BEST tower simulation systems. The innovation of ADAS, along with commercially-sourced projectors and Micro Nav’s curved projection screen, allowed the independently-designed 3D visual displays to be naturally scalable up to full 360º at the time of installation, or at a later date.2014
Growing market share in Eastern Europe
Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority (BULATSA) installed the BEST radar and 3D tower simulator in their control centre in Sofia. Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services (SMATSA) installed the BEST radar 2D and 3D tower simulator system at the SMATSA Air Traffic Control Officer Training Centre in Belgrade, an institution operating since 1964. An additional 3D tower was installed only 18 months later.2016
Winner of the Queen’s Award
Micro Nav received the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise in the category of Innovation for its Automatic Display Alignment System (ADAS).2016
Expansion into South America
Micro Nav won a contract to supply BEST to Instituto Universitario de Aeronáutica Civil (IUAC) Venezuela, to enable the region’s air forces to cross-train, and support the simulation of both hostile forces, and friendly fighter aircraft, for the first time.2017
Growth in the Caribbean
Guyana Civil Aviation Authority installed BEST as the first 3D tower simulator at their ANSP training department.2017
BEST Real-Time simulation
In partnership with Think Research and Harris Orthogon, Micro Nav delivered BEST real-time simulation capability to BULATSA, allowing the experimentation and evaluation of new procedures and equipment.2017
New product for Micro Nav and Quadrant Group
Micro Nav and Quadrant Group launched Quadrant INTERACT™, a new product for flight simulators, which was installed at its first trial site in Cork, Ireland. INTERACT, a Simulated Air Traffic Control Environment (SATCE), was designed to deliver the ‘missing link’ of ATC and other traffic in synthetic flight training.2017
Maritime Air Systems Control simulator
The UK Royal Navy installed a combined BEST Fighter Aircraft Control Training System and Helicopter Control Trainer at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, to be used for training the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier ship’s company.2017
Joint founder of Micro Nav retired from operational involvement
After handing over to Stephen Williams in 2014, Mike retired from operational involvement in 2017, continuing to support the Group Board in a Non-Executive role.2018
3D upgrade for Ports of Jersey
Ports of Jersey upgraded its stimulated radar system to improve their training offering. The upgrade included installation of the BEST 3D Tower simulator. This provided an out-of-the-window view of Jersey Airport, along with an updated Automated Weather Observing System, accurate replication of voice communications system and lighting panel, speech recognition, plus EFSS and radar display stimulation.2018
Polish Air Navigation Services upgraded their BEST simulator
Ten years after initial installation, PANSA upgraded their BEST simulator suite, making it one of Micro Nav’s largest installations at an ANSP. The installation consisted of a full 360° and four three-channel BEST Tower simulators, and over 20 BEST Radar workstations.2019
Qatar Civil Aviation Authority scale up their BEST simulation
Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) procured a 360° BEST 3D Tower simulator, installed at the Air Traffic Control Centre and Training Facility at Hamad International Airport. The simulator utilised 18 high-performance projectors, each operating a solid-state optical engine. The existing BEST 3D Tower simulator and BEST Radar simulator, complete with BEST Link, were updated, and connected with the new BEST 3D Tower for integrated exercise scenarios and sharing of data and resources.2019
Long-term service agreement with SMATSA
A three-year simulator maintenance service agreement was signed with SMATSA, supporting their BEST simulator suite comprising two 180° BEST 3D Tower simulators, eight controller working positions and seven pseudo pilot positions. The tower simulators can be operated as a single 360° tower via 28 65” monitors in portrait mode.2019