VUCON: Question and Answer
AMOS
Is it possible to create aircraft and building models using a built-in editor or is all modeling performed by ROSE itself?
AMOS offers editors for all kind of development. Be it a new aircraft, vehicle, building or even a whole new airport. What you need is a 3D-design (without textures, just pure triangles) of an object, which you could easily create by means of open source or public domain software like SketchUp or others. Anything further will be done with the built-in editors of AMOS.
How much effort is required to design the airspace and all what was needed for a single RWY mid-size airport and who is usually doing that – the user or you (developers)?
Actually, as usual, we need to say: It depends. We know that we are providing the fastest way to get this job done and our models have proven to be of high quality. As a rough estimate, you can expect 1 to 2 weeks of work for one expert. This is done by users as well as by our 3D designers.
During the AMOS session David said that it took 1 to 2 weeks to create a single runway Airport. Was that for 1 person to do it or for a team of a couple of persons?
This would be the time for one person. Smaller airports will be even faster. The level of detail and the complexity of the parking-taxi-runway-layout as well as the detail of aerodrome lighting are to be taken into account. LOWW Vienna, which we used for the demos, is the result of two weeks work for our airport designer.
Is the process of designing an airport in AMOS possible outside simulator environment (on an additional PC) or shall it be conducted in the simulator. If yes, is there a separate editor available and is it 3D?
Designing an airport, an exercise, an aircraft, vehicle or anything else concerning data prep can be conducted on any computer. You do not need to be inside the “simulation center” to do that. Many of our partners are doing this on their laptops. AMOS includes all the necessary editors except the one to design 3D-objects as a set of triangles. This can be done by using for example SketchUp (freeware). Texturing, light positions and all other parts of the complex modelling can easily be done with the integrated editors.
Can a pilot have multiple radar windows at once ? Like a zoom on the ground and a zoomed out window for the traffic circuit ?
The answer is yes, there might be different windows in use for different views at the same time.
Can the base point and final point be customized by the pilot? (For a short final etc.)
Yes, we offer a variety of options to alter each point for any aircraft in flight or on ground. VFR traffic is providing lots of different options to make sure the handling of this very dynamic and demanding task for the simulator pilot can be conducted in a comfortable and most suitable way.
How is the integration between Tower Simulator and Flight Simulator to have the same visual?
We are using the Prepar3d flight simulator at our premises. At the same time we accept a connection to X-Plane or Microsoft flight simulator.
We found that the detail of our database is so high, that we could easily use the 3D view of the flight simulator. At the same time, we were using our 3D model to display as the outside view of the flight simulator, which worked likewise in a good way.
So yes, both systems would be able to share the exact same outside view.
What is the 3D-engine that you use in AMOS Tower Simulator?
We are using our own 3D-engine. We have developed it from scratch ever since 2015 until today. We own it, we control it, we make sure it runs even without expensive GPUs… We did it our way and we are happy to see the AMOS system running performant on each and every computer.
Is a dedicated GPU required for your ‘off the shelf’ computers for pilot positions?
The answer is: No.
Since we developed our own 3D-engine, we are not depending on any 3rd party hardware.
AMOS is able to adopt to any kind of hardware. Although the quality will increase if you provide more power, the system is capable to run on any kind of Windows PC.
Scenario: controller issues a conditional line up instruction behind the landing ………. line up and wait behind, controller forgets to deselect red stop bar at the appropriate time, will the departing aircraft cross the red bar or will there be a prompt to the pilot to inform controller about the red bar
You may select the system to behave this or that way. It is optional to say, the simulator pilot is in command and “may” cross a red bar – or you may say, the system prevents the virtual pilot from crossing a red stop-bar even if the simulator-pilot would advise the aircraft to do so.
Is it possible to run the training in AMOS with the presentation on 3 visualization screens? With this configuration, it will be possible to train the control positions in isolation: TWR and GND? In this case, would you have to have a license for each training environment to enable the isolated training of a controller exercising the various functions of the control tower? For isolated training, how many pilot positions would be needed to compose the environment?
This is possible and actually frequently done that way. Concerning licenses and staffing for different training scenarios, we would rather like to speak to you personally rather than trying to estimate the exact idea expressed in your question. Would you mind contacting us and find a time for a call or a video conference to dig deeper here?
IRIS
Can the IRIS be altered to resemble whatever VCS a given ATCO is accustomed to?
Yes, IRIS can be altered to have the look and feel of any VCS system available on the market. This includes even hardware buttons, knobs, displays. We are open for challenges. The available VoIP-architecture provides even very complex functions in order to meme whatever you want to.
Can an extra instance of IRIS run on a mobile device? So an instructor doesn’t need a separate position in the sim? Additionally, can an instructor or pilot send written messages through IRIS? (to avoid a student can hear an ad hoc go around request from instructor to pilot for example)
IRIS is able to run on any windows device – so as long as you are using a mobile windows computer, this will work. Data may easily be exchanged via a WLAN.
Written messages between coach and instructor will not be handled by IRIS but rather than that by another system, which will at the same time allow freeze, fastmode and other functions. We are working on that and will integrate the Debriefilator into this. Availability of this new system is planned for next year.
Does IRIS Voice Communication have a kind of “radio communication sound effect”? So the heard voices will be like real radio communication effect?
The respective methods are integrated within IRIS – we have not yet used them nor integrated in any installation. We are open for a cooperation in order to proof the concept.
What are the logging generated by the new version of IRIS? We would like to analyze the time of communication on the frequency, between ATCOs.
IRIS records single sound generations. For example, voice transmissions, phone-calls and other. Each of these records is kept separately and will be addressable depending on a time-code, frequency, telephone role etc. An evaluation of these data is easy to do. So yes, communication time on a frequency can easily be provided.
Can phone lines/radio frequencies available for a position be setup automatically? If yes, how is it done?
Yes, this is done within a configuration file.
Is it possible to have metrics (frequency occupation/number of calls by phone line)?
Yes, any of these data is stored and can be provided any time (even life during a session if required).
ROSE
Can you insert new Aircrafts during a running simulation, so they will be there during this run, but next time you run the exercises it will again be without that added flight?
Yes, this is easily possible and by the way an interaction which many of our partners are frequently using. Depending on what you plan to achieve, there are even more advanced methods for a later integration of additional traffic into a running exercise.
Are all pilot inputs accessible by means of a keyboard hotkey? For our ACS courses and Unit training courses, fast combined inputs are a must (e.g. CLIMB with a specified ROC combined with a heading…).
We have different approaches for the pilot input options and are extending them frequently. ROSE is mainly built for keyboard input, AMOS preferers mouse input since the 3D sim is a highly visual system.
How much data in terms of storage does one Debriefilator save of let’s say a 45′ minute take up on a drive?
Just had a try: An exercise with 10 aircraft took 600 kB for 45 minutes.
An exercise of 60 aircraft needed 2.5 MB for 45 minutes.
An exercise existing of 500 aircraft in an airspace covering central Europe took 7.6MB of space.
CHARIOT
Is CHARIOT integrated into AMOS?
CHARIOT is fully integrated into the world of AMOS – as well as our flight simulator. So, you might follow a pushback simulation and a flight while working in our tower simulator – all systems interfere with each other.
Does the simulator take unlevel surfaces into account? For example if you push onto an incline will it start to roll if the brakes are not set?
Not to this level of detail. We are dealing with real 3D-surfaces yet not down to the physics as described above. This will be part of the next level of CHARIOT in 2022. We will also consider slippery surfaces (rain, ice, snow) by then.
LISA
When you turned on the whole system using LISA, were all machines running the same exercise? Are they synchronized?
In the video we showed: Yes. This is our standard setup for demos in our showroom. However, this can be configured according to your need.
Is LISA restricted to ROSE products or is there an interface for other simulators?
LISA can start and stop any system or program. However, the integration with our products are at a much deeper level in terms of data-exchange.
Is it possible to make a kind of SW version control with LISA?
Yes. LISA is taking care for updates of executables and data used by the systems throughout the whole simulator network.
ELSA
Can ELSA be configured to generate other strips formats?
Yes. ELSA can be configured to use any kind of strip format. This applies to rectangular shape, lines, fixed and dynamic content. All of these can of course be displayed in any required color.
Are the strips prepopulated with the same data as the exercise itself? Or are they two separate databases, ergo, is it possible that there is a discrepancy? For example: in the exercise we see an A319, but the strip has ATYP A320?
By default the content of a strip is the same you have in your exercise for ROSE/AMOS. This provides an easy and quick use of the strips. However, the content of the strips can be changed manually to intentionally show deviating data.
Are ELSA inputs and actions stored together with the exercise, for replay or debrief purposes?
We are working on this feature. ROSE plans to provide this by end of 2021. We are going to synchronize all of our systems with the Debriefilator by then.
PORT
Do I need administrator privileges to install ROSE/PORT?
Not with regard to our systems need. Of course you need the right to copy data onto any of your hard drives in order to use the simulator.
We are not interacting with any libraries, dll, frameworks or registry entries.
I’ve seen that the host address was already configured when you did the installation. Is this address configurable or different training groups connect to the same address? How do you handle authorization and prevent someone from logging in an exercise he was not supposed to?
PORT uses the same target IP for all installations worldwide. The initial logon happens on one single server. The startup and sharing of exercises will thereafter be conducted on the server and does not need any further adaptation on the local computer. We invented methods to take care of these matters beyond the frame of your local computer.
Do you have a required minimum internet speed to be able to run PORT?
Not precisely, since these data are more an estimate from your local internet provider. We suggest you give it a try and find out.
If you like: 10 Mbit/sec have been proven to work fine.
Just to confirm the understanding: The ROSE Simulator that is running at the local site is a mirror of the ROSE Simulator running in the server site connected/managed by PORT?
The local ROSE application is running separately on your local machine. This saves a lot of bandwidth and assures a very detailed and high quality display. The local simulator simply connects to the one running on our server.
Does PORT currently work with AMOS? If no, there are plans to do so in the future?
PORT currently does not support AMOS. We are working on that and aim to provide this next year.
How will the pilot know if the coach decide to stop simulation or use the Debriefilator and not just “move on”?
The pilot has an indication (FREEZE) and also the time does not continue running.
Does SARA has capability to have a kind of “Radio Communication Sound Effect”? So it will have more real experience.
This is possible. At present we are working on recognition rates and improvement of available commands. Any sound effects can always be added by IRIS.
How secure is the connection in PORT? Does it use cryptography?
PORT is using an interface that has been tailored to our need and thus not sharing any data in an open format.
Unless you would have a deep inside knowledge of our protocol you would hardly be able to harm or decrypt the information.
General
Is it possible to command the aircrafts without using the user interface, say using some sort of script, command line interface, ADEXP messages through network, etc?
The answer is yes. We have a command-interface which is an open protocol through which we are able to accept different types of commands. It will not be a challenge to alter the format towards anything you have in mind.
Is it possible to upload AIXM 5.1 dataset (the system supports xml files?) for example for SID and STAR and simulate?
AMOS as well as ROSE are able to read and use external data (XML, TXT and other) in order to provide an easy import functionality for data from outside. We would be glad to discuss the options and the intended use-case with you. Please feel free to contact us any time.
Is AMOS / IRIS … in its use limited to the physical network of the client? Can it combine the simulator infrastructure with a WiFi?
AMOS/IRIS/ROSE can use any network available. IRIS has been used with a LAN, WLAN, VPN, internet…
How is ROSE integrated with AMOS and IRIS?
ROSE, AMOS and IRIS are fully integrated. Exercise design for AMOS will also work for ROSE and vice versa. IRIS talks to ROSE in order to be able to display frequency occupation and other.
Basically, all our systems have means to talk to each other, so whatever you have in mind, it will be possible.
How about integration with REAL operational HMIs? For Unit Training?
ROSE already emulates a few REAL operational HMIs. At the same time we are able to connect to REAL operational radar systems like Skysoft, Frequentis. This interface is frequently being extended to further systems. So, both can be done and is in use already. We are following any need that is expressed.