Runways that are completely de-iced and generally free of dirt and foreign particles are vital for any airport in order to maintain operations at all times. What seems easy to understand for the layman is increasingly problematic for the professional, because an apparently simply task can be very demanding in reality. Rapidly changing and variable weather conditions require a high degree of knowledge and flexibility, not only in the planning of operations, but also in their execution. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to adequately train for unpredictable behaviour or extreme weather conditions – which is where the Aebi Schmidt simulator comes in.
While procuring new sweepers, Cologne Bonn Airport also had training for special situations in mind as part of the equation, and a simulator was part of the tender process right from the start. The Schmidt TJS 500 simulator enables training for different sweeping scenarios and procedures, as well as individual and convoy driving. The simulation of all scenarios is absolutely in line with reality, thanks to the three-dimensional representation of all flight operation areas, including runway, taxiway and apron, allied to the virtual representation and realistic feel of the sweeper's movements in different weather conditions and differing times of day and night.
Markus Moi, Winter Service Coordinator at Cologne Bonn Airport says: "Thanks to the simulator, we can train behaviour in special situations and different clearing procedures at different locations at our airport. It also helps that we can use the simulator to conduct training for equipment checks and the operation of equipment in general."
Simulations are one thing. But the fact that the simulator produces hardly any CO2 emissions compared to training with the actual equipment in unpredictable weather conditions is another major advantage. Andreas Schwald, Head Special Clients & Key Accounts at Aebi Schmidt, enthuses about the advantages of the simulator: "Our simulator is not just a general simulator. It allows the conditions at each airport to be realistically depicted and thus the clearing scenarios and procedures to be depicted really accurately, according to the specific situation. And all this without diesel, without costly personnel and training planning, but with individual error analysis, which is only possible to a limited extent with training on the ground."
If you want to save resources and optimise individual training while, at the same time, investing in efficiency and safety - talk to us. We will be happy to configure your simulator to meet your specific requirements in no time at all.