The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) commissioned the world’s first Airport Foam Tender (Fire-Fighting Vehicle) Driving Simulator with a motion platform, at the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), the training arm of CAAS. The simulator was commissioned by Mr Lim Kim Choon, Director-General & Chief Executive Officer, CAAS. The simulator will enhance the training for CAAS’ Airport Emergency Officers operating the foam tenders, providing them an opportunity to be trained and assessed via life-like scenarios in a safe and controlled environment.

The simulator, developed with Chartered Asia Technology Enterprise, was designed based on the existing airport foam tender. Besides training Airport Emergency Officers on the handling of the equipment, the simulator is able to generate various emergency scenarios such as an aircraft fire or crash to enhance realism. Such scenarios cannot be replicated if training is conducted only on actual foam tenders. Trainees can also familiarise themselves with the Changi Airport environment. With this simulator, the foam tender operators are able to learn to drive the vehicle under different circumstances and terrain, whether day or night and in all weather conditions at Changi Airport. The training sessions can be recorded and reviewed, presenting an effective learning tool that allows the trainer to discuss the performance of the trainees.

Mr Lim said, “The addition of the simulator will improve the Airport Emergency Officers’ skills and confidence in operating the actual foam tender. The training through simulated exercises will also ensure the safety of the officers and better equip them with the necessary skills and capabilities to handle the actual foam tender.” He continued, “The simulator also complements and enhances training courses such as fire-fighting, and command and control currently provided by the School of Airport Emergency Services at the SAA.”