Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Partners with ThoroughTec Simulation for Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) and Airside Operations Training

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has partnered with ThoroughTec Simulation, a specialist simulation, training and workforce development company, to modernise its ARFF and airside operations training capabilities. This investment in advanced training technology underscores DFW’s commitment to maintaining its status as a global leader in airport operations training.

Transforming training at DFW

The heart of this transformation will be eight high-fidelity, full-mission, motion-base simulators, including ARFF, Rapid Intervention, pumper truck, snow removal, aircraft tug and general airside driving modules. All these simulators will operate in a 3D digital twin of DFW’s airport and surrounds. This “virtual airport” will enable operators to familiarize themselves with the airport layout and procedures before entering any live airside operations. Additionally, a virtual, off-road driving track will be supplied, allowing trainee drivers to hone their skills in challenging off-road scenarios.

DFW will also be acquiring a dedicated training management software platform, in order to properly integrate and administer these new training tools. This product, known as WX TMS, has been developed by ThoroughTec to replace traditional LMS’s, which have limited capability and generally only cater to e-learning delivery. The WX TMS is a single, unified platform, designed to help large organisations with complex training needs, to digitise, schedule, deliver and manage any type of training content, delivered through any medium, from instructor-led training through to advanced simulators. Every aspect of an employee’s training, skills development, certification and compliance is managed via a single, intuitive interface, maximising asset utilisation and training efficiency.

ARFF Simulators: Heightened Readiness and Enhanced Response

The CYBERDRIVE Simulators for Oshkosh Striker 6×6 ARFF and 4×4 RIV operator training will play a vital role in improving operator reaction times, situational awareness and decision-making, while the inclusion of multiplayer capabilities will allow firefighters to collaborate in tackling complex and large-scale simulated emergencies. The simulators include a comprehensive scenarios editor, allowing instructors to expose trainees to various incident types. By modifying location, weather, time of day and the aircraft and fire types. This unprecedented flexibility and realism ensure that operators are well-prepared to save lives and protect assets during real-world incidents. Beyond the direct training benefit of using this world-leading technology, virtual ARFF training also allows operators to freely exercise the use of foam and other chemical fire-fighting agents, without fear of harmful exposure or environmental damage, not to mention the reduced risk of damage to scarce and costly ARFF assets.

Snow Removal Training for Operational Excellence

DFW’s snow-removal simulators will be based on the Vammas PSB 5500 Plow Sweeper Blower and like the ARFF simulators, these will be multiplayer capable, enabling snow-clearing teams to practice synchronized operations 24/7, throughout the year, ensuring readiness and efficiency when winter comes around. Instructors can modify every aspect of the snow-removal training experience, to develop operator competence in this demanding and critical field, without interfering in real-world flight operations.

Leading the Way in Simulation Technology

This state-of-the-art installation reaffirms DFW’s position as a leader in adopting advanced technologies for airport operations. By investing in high-fidelity simulation, DFW is setting new standards for training, safety, and operational excellence in the aviation industry.