Page 45 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2017 Online Magazine

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physical aircraft. The length of the practical savings and return on investment for the Pushing the Technology
training course since the introduction of the MRO industry will be staggering,” he said. Instead of waiting for the technologies to
technology? A mere five days. “As companies are able to migrate from the catch on among companies in the industry,
paper driven approach of today to leveraging Optech4D has chosen to adopt a proactive
Guarded Response VR and AR technology, the impact will happen approach. The company had launched an
The spike in interest among MRO companies much more rapidly than expected. AR and VR “Ignite Innovation” program that provides
in such technologies is yet to translate solutions allow you to affirm that the millions companies access to fully functional VR and
to any real action, concedes Higgins. “ of dollars spent on training and development AR applications along with representative
Many companies are exploring VR and AR programs each year is money well spent.” VR and AR technology (tablet, VR headset,
technologies but are unsure where to start,” “Virtual reality can have a very high return on AR smart glasses). The initiative gives
he says. “They are exploring the options investment compared to traditional training companies a chance to explore the
around purchasing technology and building approaches,” added Higgins. “We see cost technologies without significant cash outlay.
solutions themselves, funding pilot projects, savings as a major factor for consideration. It also includes access to an industry specific
or taking a wait-and-see approach. They The ability to provide highly realistic user group where companies can bounce
know they need to do something but are not environments in a virtual world is much ideas off each other, thus bringing VR and AR
sure what.” Brian Kushner, Managing Director less expensive than recreating a hazardous into the aviation industry mainstream.
at FTI Consulting, is yet to be convinced that environment in the real world.” Dirk de Waart,
the technologies will become commonplace Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting,
in the MRO infrastructure anytime soon. however, isn’t ready to give his opinion just
“I think it is more a technology push at the yet. “Airlines and MROs all over the world are
moment than a demand pull from the MRO very pragmatic and finance driven,” he said.
side. We have been hearing about VR and AR “They are willing to look at new technologies, The growth in VR and AR technology
for a while now.” but there has to be a positive payback. How will hasten the migration from
much money will it save? That is something today’s paper based approach
A Money Saver? we are yet to find out.” and has the potential to generate
significant savings on training and
Higgins certainly believes so. “The cost development programmes
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