Using Virtual Reality (VR) to Teach Airport Airside Operations

Abstract

To build in Virtual Reality (VR), an Airport Airside environment for experiential and immersive teaching of Airport Airside operations. This form of “situated learning” where the learning experience is more realistic and authentic, aids immersion resulting in improved learning outcomes.

The VR simulation will provide a realistic Airside environment simulating the preparation of a passenger flight for departure from the perspective of an Airline operations manager. Besides learning about ground handling procedures and familiarizing with the Airside environment, students will need to apply their knowledge, employ critical and decision making skills to collaboratively respond to a flight disruption event. They will decide how best to proceed in a branching type scenario where different decisions lead to different outcomes and the scenario unfolds according to the decisions made, similar to real life.