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There is no doubt that the challenges presented in 2020 have accelerated the adoption of remote learning and its associated technologies. Until this year, nearly all pilot training was conducted at a training centre. With COVID-19 came the urgent need to create a more blended training experience which fundamentally requires technology to facilitate it. We have seen an increased demand for such products.

As such, this current environment has accelerated the adoption of alternative training devices and technologies and pushed aside some of the barriers that had existed for many years slowing progress. The full flight simulator previously overshadowed many alternate lower cost but effective training tools, from the FTDs to computer based training.

At L3Harris, the simulation technology team (in which I sit) work closely with our training experts, who train and provide some of the highest calibre of pilots to the industry. Working with them and customers, our developments are being shaped and driven to maximize training effectiveness. This approach has been key in the development of our FTDs, our new IOS, and the development of our competency-based training capability. 

There is no compromise for quality of training. With new technology there must be evidence that effective training is taking place. This is especially true where the regulations do not recognise the value that these technologies and devices bring. In such cases, we see our Flight Data Analysis system play a key role in providing that evidence.

Where borders have been shut, we have found that our customers have embraced new ways of working that previously would have been challenging, such as the acceptance of flight safety training devices being performed remotely using video conferencing technologies. We have even seen the approval of devices performed remotely by the FAA, which in itself is something we wouldn’t have imagined possible a year ago.