Below you'll find answers to commonly asked questions about Visual Vectoring and our technology. Can't find what you need? Get in touch and we'll be happy to help.
Who will benefit from Visual Vectoring training courses?
Visual Vectoring training courses are ideal for delivery to abinitio and to cross-stream conversion trainees with limited or no surveillance control experience. University/college students who are pre-training for ATC or for a generalist aviation qualification also benefit greatly from undertaking our courseware.
How is Visual Vectoring training delivered?
Visual Vectoring training may be delivered in an instructor-led classroom environment or distributed on desktop or laptop computers for self-paced learning. Delivery anywhere, anytime through the Control Zone, a cloud-based Learning Management System, is available. Selected content may even be deployed to prospective recruits as part of an aptitude-testing process. An overview of a student’s progress by a qualified instructor should be maintained.
What are the hardware requirements?
With the use of the Control Zone Learning Management System, lesson content can be consumed on any device. Simulation must be performed on a Windows PC or laptop with English language capability, a headset microphone and a three-button mouse.
Can we use our own airspace?
Our training is intended for introductory training and for this reason it makes use of generic airspace. Where a client requests simulation on local airspace, we can do this at an agreed cost given access to airspace, procedures and map data and with the assistance of local experts. Contact us to discuss.
There are simulators available online that are completely free to use. How is yours different?
It is true that there many simulation products available that are very realistic and impressive. It is possible that some skills may be learned from using these programs. Visual Vectoring is not a simulator company, we are an ATC training company. Our simulator is not a vehicle for pretending to be a controller, it is a practice tool designed for the acquisition of foundational skills as part of the process of becoming a controller.
Who is using your software?
Our software has been used by ANSPs in the Middle East, Myanmar, China, Australia, New Zealand, Timor Leste and the Pacific Islands. Universities in Australia, China and the Philippines are also clients. In total, partners from 15 institutions in 11 countries have trusted us to assist with their training needs.
How might Visual Vectoring Software be used for recruitment?
Visual Vectoring software teaches many of the formative skills required for surveillance-based Air Traffic Control. Logically, if a candidate is able to acquire and demonstrate these skills, then their chance of successfully training as an Air Traffic Controller is greater than one who is not. We would suggest that access to the initial modules of the VV Enroute course be offered to applicants. The metrics collected by this process could be used as a component of suitability assessment. This would be followed by a simulator session on a novel scenario that is observed by an ATC specialist, either in person or through a screen-share on a teleconference. This strategy goes some way to fulfilling the maxim “if you want to know if someone is capable of doing something, then teach them how to do it and see if they can”. If you would like to discuss further, please contact us.
Does completion of your courseware result in a formal qualification?
Completion of our courseware as part of a larger course (for instance when delivered within the University system) will result in a formal qualification. However, in general, competition of our courseware of itself does not attract any qualification.Our products are aimed at teaching the skills that would be needed to acquire such a qualification, such as ICAO 054 certification. The reason for this is that the requirements for licensing and rating endorsement vary widely, and it would be difficult for us to address all of these components. Instead, we concentrate on the more difficult practical skills that are needed, and believe that this will assist students in achieving success in a formal qualification.
Can your courseware be used for an ICAO 054 qualification.
The use of our courses would replace most of the simulation requirements for an ICAO 054 qualification in APP/Area. Other required theory content and some non-standard simulation scenarios would need to be developed. Contact us if you would like to partner with us to produce such an offering, which would be a low cost alternative for delivery of such a qualification.
What support do you offer for your clients?
We offer a help desk service in business hours (UTC+10) and a email service with next business day response. In localities where a reseller manages the support services under an agreed arrangement.
What does Visual Vectoring Training content cover?
Learning outcomes depend on the specific course but, in general, Visual Vectoring training covers foundational, practical skills in surveillance-based Air Traffic Control.
What are the foundational skills that are taught by your courses?
Learning outcomes do vary between courses, but the basic skills we teach are vectoring, separation, sequencing, task management, prioritisation, scanning, planning and information delivery.
Can extra content be added?
Yes. Extra theory content may be added by the construction of lessons, demonstrations and quizzes which may be added to the Control Zone Learning Management system. This is not at all difficult to do and there is complete freedom to do so as part of using our technology.
However, if specific simulation requirements that represent significant extra functionality are needed, we would need to collaborate with local training experts to achieve this outcome. This arrangement would require a formal partnership agreement with agreed terms and conditions.
Is the training completely formative, or are there summative elements to it?
Although all simulator exercises are tracked and scored, the assessment process applied depends on the end-user and the application. An ATC training provider may use these data to assess progress and identify weakness and the requirement for more simulation, but would generally rely on assessments made by an instructor. A University may make full use of all the scoring capability, or may see the use of Visual Vectoring products as a formative experience. We discuss these options with every client so that best use is made of our technology.
What content is not covered by Visual Vectoring training?
Within our generalist courses, airspace-specific services, including clearance requirements, aeronautical information services such as meteorological advice and Inflight emergencies are not covered. However, we often partner with end-users to deliver targeted training in specific competencies; our VV CompSep course is an example of this.
Do you support regional variations in procedures and phraseology?
Yes. Visual Vectoring training is designed to be generic in nature but may be customised to local phrasings in English and procedures. Similarly, the Simulator can be programmed with specific speech and data parameters to support any local requirements.
Is your courseware useful for English Language Proficiency?
Yes, our courses are very useful for familiarity with English language usage in the ATC environment. The use of Speech Recognition requires the student to deliver instructions accurately and clearly. And the lesson content of courses contains some narration. Notable here is the VV Approach course, which contains nearly 30 hours of English narration specific to the ATC context.
What are the gamification elements?
Within the Control Zone Learning Management System, we have incorporated a badge system, whereby badges are awarded based on performance in simulation. There is also a leaderboard provided that contains performance results for an exercise within a particular cohort.
I don't like the idea of gamification in the context of ATC training. Can I turn it off?
Yes, gamification may be disabled by an Administrator.
How does your training differ from traditional methods?
ATC students often commence simulation without a cognitive framework for assessing and managing the traffic – a sink-or-swim approach. This is a stressful experience, and resolution strategies acquired in this environment may not be applicable to other scenarios. By contrast, we methodically teach the student a relevant skill, show how and when it should be applied, and then allow them to practice it. Clearly, the existing system works – eventually – but we believe that by equipping students with the foundational skills to develop their strategies, that the learning outcomes will be much improved.
Is the LMS shared with other users?
No, an instance of Control Zone LMS is provided for each client and is segregated from all other users. This is achieved by allocating a unique subdomain on one of our servers to each end-user. User-accounts, course information, performance data is inaccessible by other users of our technology.
How is your software delivered?
Visual Vectoring training may be delivered in an instructor-led classroom environment or distributed on desktop or laptop computers for self-paced learning. Delivery anywhere, anytime through the Control Zone, a cloud-based Learning Management System, is available. Selected content may even be deployed to prospective recruits as part of an aptitude-testing process. An overview of a student’s progress by a qualified instructor should be maintained.
What computers are required?
Lesson contact from the Control Zone can be consumed on any device. Simulation requires a Windows PC or laptop with an English language pack installed and with a mouse and headset-microphone. There are no minimum specifications – the software should work on any machine.
Is our data safe on the LMS?
The data accumulated through the use of our software is segregated from all other users. We retain an administrator log-in so that we may provide upgrades and monitor compliance with conditions of the End-User Licence Agreement. Data security is protected under the agreed conditions of this agreement.
Do you offer a trial of the your products?
Yes, we offer obligation-free trials of all our products. This is available for testing and evaluation by ANSPs, Colleges, Universities and ATC Training providers.
How much does it cost?
The value of the skills that are acquired by the use of our technology, and the cost of alternative delivery varies widely around the world. Accordingly our pricing varies according to the application (University/ANSP delivery), terms of use (per trainee/annual licencing/permanent licencing), geographic location, number of students and support requirements. At all times, we commit to a pricing level that provides significant value to clients in achieving their training outcomes. Please contact us to discuss.
What are the terms of use?
Visual Vectoring technology supplied under a negotiated End User Licence Agreement covering terms of use, protection of intellectual property, responsibilities, limitation of liability and termination conditions. Where required we make use of a local agency or reseller.
I want to be an Air Traffic Controller. Can I use your software?
We do not normally licence our software to individuals due to the marginal cost in supporting the use of differing computer configurations, languages and learning requirements. From time to time we vary this policy, such as during COVID-19 when we offered free use of our software to all ATC trainees affected by lockdowns.
There are simulators available online that are completely free to use. How is yours different?
It is true that there many simulation products available that are very realistic and impressive. It is possible that some skills may be learned from using these programs. Visual Vectoring is not a simulator company, we are an ATC training company. Our simulator is not a vehicle for pretending to be a controller, it is a practice tool designed for the acquisition of foundational skills as part of the process of becoming a controller.
Can we use your simulator in another language, such as French or Spanish?
The simulator makes use of the Microsoft Speech API for Speech Recognition and Synthesis. Some languages other than English, such as French and Spanish are supported by the SAPI. Some cooperation would be required to ensure the speech commands and readbacks match your requirements. Contact us if you would like to discuss further.
Can I use your simulator on a Mac, or on my phone?
No, unfortunately our simulator may only be used on a Windows PC. Training content can be consumed on any device
Does your simulator work online?
The simulator is a Windows executable that is launched from a web link from the online Control Zone Learning Management system. It downloads the exercise data and uploads performance data to the cloud.
Does the simulator have an AMAN system?
Yes, the simulator has a programmable AMAN system that allows the gate times to be pre-set in the exercise file. Compliance with these times is measured and reported as part of performance data.
What aircraft profile data do you use?
Our aircraft performance data has been compiled based on manufacturer specifications and refined by comparing with scraped trajectory data from flight tracking applications. This enables us to assign performance characteristics very accurately. In addition, the simulator enables a specific profile to be set for each individual aircraft by varying profile characteristics. For example, an aircraft might be set with a slower climb rate than might be expected to achieve a particular training outcome.
Do you have a random traffic generator?
Yes, random exercises can be generated and are used in some courses.
What programming language is used for your simulator?
We use the Visual Studio platform with most code in VB. Some modules are programmed in C#. The speech trainer application is programmed in C++.
Does the speech recognition function work well?
We have found that effective use of speech recognition technology relies on training the user to deliver instructions in a way that can be understood. This promotes a measured, well-paced delivery which matches an appropriate information transfer technique in the real world. Over 1 million transmissions were made in simulation by our clients’ students in 2022.
What performance metrics are measured and reported by the simulator?
Depending on the exercise type, the simulator reports up to two hundred individual metrics. This are grouped to provide information on different competencies such as general ATC performance, separation, sequencing and interface skills.
Is the simulator configurable for metric altitude and distance measurement?
Yes, the simulator can be configured for different measurement systems.
My company is interested in selling technology to existing clients in our local market. What is involved in this?
We welcome partnerships with local companies who have expertise in Aviation Training, Air Traffic Management and/or Air Traffic Services. These partners can help us to navigate the local regulatory requirements and provide an optimal support experience for the end user. We normally work with these partners in one of two ways, depending on local requirements. Firstly, we use an agency arrangement the contract agreement is between Visual Vectoring and the end user with the agent receiving a commission on the sale. Alternatively, in cases where the vendor must be a local company, we can use a reseller agreement in which there is a contract between Visual Vectoring and the reseller and an End User Licence Agreement signed by the end user. In large markets, there may be more than one reseller. If you have interest in discussing your market insights, please contact us.
How is your technology implemented into a University/College course?
Clients have done this in a number of ways, but the most common ways are:
Create a new subject on the college/university program. Use one or more modules from one of our courses as the content for the subject and make the entire assessment based on performance in simulation.
Embed a selection of our training modules and simulations as a supplement to other learning modules.
In either case, we can help with customising our modules, and make sure reporting requirements are met to minimise the administrative overhead.
How is your technology implemented into a formal ATC training course?
We recommend that our training modules are provided at the commencement of an ATC training course, especially for ab initio students. Initially, this will provide benefits to training outcomes, but in time elements of the formal training can be removed and replaced with more advanced training. The alternative is that elements of our courseware is completed in tandem with the formal course to support learning. We are happy to help with customising our offerings as required.
The simulator looks skewed in simulation. How do I fix this?
First unlock the simulator settings by entering the password into the password area on the About Tab of the simulator settings panel.
Change the Aspect Ratio setting in the second column until the airspace is correct. Note that this setting will be retained for this user.
How do I make the label font bigger?
First unlock the simulator settings by entering the password into the password area on the About Tab of the simulator settings panel.
Change the Font Size setting in the third column to the desired value. Note that this setting will be retained for this user.
What is the simulator password?
Some installations have the simulator settings locked because computers are shared between computers. If this is not the case, check course documentation or ask your course administrator for the password.