Micro Nav is proud to announce the successful renewal and expansion of its Framework with NATS for the provision of simulation services for Manchester Airports Group (M.A.G), London Luton Airport and Belfast International Airport.
Micro Nav will provide advanced 3D tower simulators to Manchester and London Stansted airports. Manchester Airport will upgrade from their current 2D simulator to a new high-fidelity 3D system. London Stansted Airport will fully transition to the BEST platform for all simulation and training needs, with East Midlands Airport already being a long-term BEST user.
The simulator for M.A.G will be high-fidelity, with integration with the operational EFPS systems. This will support NATS in continuing to deliver its ATC service to the two airports, as the airports experience ground infrastructure and airspace change, as well as the modernisation of various ATM and Airfield systems.
Under the recently renewed Framework Agreement, NATS and London Luton Airport have selected the BEST Tower simulator to facilitate on-site training for the air traffic controllers at the airport. The simulator will be used primarily for training purposes, including on-boarding new controllers and refresher and validation training to maintain currency of skillsets.
However, the system will also provide NATS and London Luton Airport with operational benefits, such as:
Familiarising all airside users with the area and processes
Emergency situation readiness
Practicing adverse weather procedures such as low visibility and heavy snow
Additionally, the provision of the BEST Create product will allow the NATS team at London Luton Airport to accurately maintain the 3D model of the aerodrome. They can also create hypothetical environments to assess traffic flow around the airfield when planning changes to operational structure, including the recently approved new terminal building.
The software has been configured so BEST system components, like the weather display and communications panel, accurately reflect the operational systems used at the airport. This allows controllers to build muscle memory for the transition between the BEST simulator and the live environment.
The delivery of the solution will take place over the coming months, ensuring controllers can benefit from the system when training frequency increases after the Airport’s busy summer period.
Belfast International Airport has also selected Micro Nav as its ATC simulator provider under the Framework Agreement. The BEST Tower & Radar simulator for Belfast will be a multi-channel, multi-working position system with integration to the operational electronic flight strip system, further demonstrating the flexibility of the BEST platform. This implementation which will be delivered over the coming months, allow Belfast International Airport controllers to undertake in-house training to maintain currency of skillsets.
Micro Nav is delighted to welcome Manchester Airport, London Stansted Airport, London Luton Airport and Belfast International Airport to the BEST user community and strengthen its partnership with NATS.