Qatar Airways is working with Rolls-Royce to test its innovative virtual reality training technology
Engineers at Qatar Airways are the first to receive virtual reality training for the maintenance of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine
Qatar Airways has spoken of its pride in being the global launch partner of Rolls-Royce’s new virtual reality training technology. It’s the first airline to test this innovative technology as part of its engineering training programme.
The new technology is designed to train engineers on how to maintain the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine in a virtual environment, without the need for a functioning physical engine. Qatar Airways engineers will be the first in the industry to trial this ground-breaking technology.
The Trent XWB engine, integrated in Qatar Airways’ A350 fleet, is Rolls-Royce’s largest engine and needs to be taken apart before engineers can transport it for maintenance and repair operations. Using the HTC Vive device, engineers will be immersed in the process, using sight, sound and touch to separate the two parts of the engine in a virtual environment, without the cost or complexity associated with a real engine.
The CEO of Qatar Airways Group, Mr Akbar Al Baker, stated that “Qatar Airways is an airline of the future, and we’re making constant efforts to innovate in all of our business areas. Our end goal is to provide a quality experience to our passengers every time they fly. By adopting cutting-edge technology in our Engineering Department, we aim to ensure that passengers reach their destination free of any problems and interruptions”.
The President of Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace, Mr Chris Cholerton, said “We at Rolls-Royce are designing, testing and maintaining engines in the digital environment. It therefore makes sense for us to incorporate innovative technology in our training programmes. Just as pilots complete their training in a simulator, certain engineering tasks can be taught through virtual reality”.
Rolls-Royce’s virtual reality training platform is in line with Qatar Airways’ first foray into the world of virtual reality, becoming a global launch partner of IATA’s RampVR™ in August 2018. The award-winning system, pioneered at the IATA, uses the latest virtual reality technology to simulate the real air-side conditions for ground services and the training of ground service operators. The RampVR™ system is being used by Qatar Airways’ Development Department to train its ground operations teams.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet comprising over 250 planes, flying to over 160 worldwide destinations via its hub, the Hamad International Airport in Doha.
The airline recently picked up an award for ‘World’s Best Business Class’ in the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards 2018. The airline also won awards for ‘Best Business Class Seat’, ‘Best Middle-Eastern Airline’ and ‘World’s Best First-Class VIP Lounge’.
The company has recently launched flights to new destinations such as Gothenburg, Sweden; Mombasa, Kenya; and Da Nang, Vietnam.
During 2019, Qatar Airways will add new destinations to its route network. Some of the new destinations include Lisbon, Portugal; La Valeta, Malta; Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Turkey; Langkawi, Malaysia; Davao City, Philippines; and Mogadishu, Somalia.
