Advanced Simulation Technology inc. (ASTi; Herndon, VA) is pleased to announce that Japan Airlines (JAL) recently adopted its Simulated Environment for Realistic ATC (SERA) product as a key component in their Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) First Officer Program. JAL's MPL program allows students to start training with zero cockpit experience and emerge as fully qualified, type-rated, commercial airline First Officers. CAE, in partnership with JAL, hosts this training program at its Phoenix, AZ facility.
During Phase 2 of the MPL program, SERA's simulated air traffic control (ATC) environment provides a variety of new training scenarios forcing student pilots to react appropriately. In place of routine actions, SERA introduces events like weather diversion around a storm cell, runway go-around, altitude hold on climb-out due to air traffic, and more. SERA gives students the opportunity to practice differing levels of ATC interaction complexity from the safety of CAE's 737NG level D full flight simulators (FFS). Further, SERA represents a significant cost savings to the airline, as CAE no longer has to fly real jet aircraft, which was the method previously used to expose trainees to ATC communication.
While it's been almost 20 years since simulated air traffic control environments (SATCE) were identified as required for MPL training, JAL is the first airline to adopt a SATCE solution and put it into daily use. The first training class to use SERA for simulated ATC recently graduated after about three months' time with zero percent failure rate. JAL's embracing of SATCE technology is nothing short of visionary, and ASTi is proud to be the SATCE solution for such a successful and innovative training initiative.
About JAL
Japan Airlines (JAL) started its operations in 1951, and is a member of the Oneworld Alliance, representing one of a leading airline in the world. Not only does JAL prioritize safety, but it also consistently be ranked as high-quality service and punctuality airline through various international stats. In pilot training, JAL implemented Competency-based training like EBT and MPL programs since the 2010s and keeps promoting those in collaboration with worldwide airlines.
About ASTi
ASTi is the leading supplier of communications, automated ATC and sound systems to the training and simulation industry. ASTi meets FAA, EASA and equivalent Level D qualifications with simulators around the world. Since 1989, ASTi has fielded over 12,000 systems at more than 800 installation sites in the U.S. and 49 other countries. To learn more about ASTi, go to asti-usa.com.