Qatar Airways engineers are the first in the industry to receive virtual reality training for Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine maintenance.

Qatar Airways is the global launch partner of Rolls-Royce’s new virtual reality (VR) training tool.

Qatar Airways is the first airline to trial the new VR technology as part of its engineering training plan.

The new tool is designed to provide engineers with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB refresher training in a virtual environment without the need for a physical engine to work on.

The Trent XWB, which powers the Qatar Airways A350 fleet, is Rolls-Royce’s largest engine and must be separated before engineers can transport it for maintenance and repair.

Using HTC Vive equipment, engineers will be immersed in the process, using sight, sound and touch to separate the two parts of the engine in a virtual setting, without the complexity and cost of a real engine.

Airline of the future

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is an airline of the future, and we constantly strive to deliver innovation in every area of our business. Our ultimate goal is to provide our customers with a quality on-board experience every time they travel, and by adopting the latest technology in our engineering department, we aim to ensure that they arrive at their destination smoothly and without disruption.”

Chris Cholerton, President – Civil Aerospace,  Rolls-Royce, added: “At Rolls-Royce we are designing, testing and maintaining engines in the digital realm, so it makes sense that we bring cutting-edge technology to our training programmes.

“In the same way pilots complete elements of their training in a simulator, certain engineering tasks can be taught through virtual reality. Qatar Airways was the first customer to take delivery of the Trent XWB, and their forward-thinking vision across their business makes them the perfect launch partner for this technology.”

Qatar pioneers VR

In August 2018, Qatar Airways became IATA’s global launch partner for the RampVR system which utilises VR to simulate real air-side conditions for ground handling and ground service operator training.

The RampVR system is being used by Qatar Airways to train its ground operations teams.

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