Unit load devices (ULDs) play a key role in air cargo. But according to Bob Rogers, president at ULD Care, it is a portion of the industry that can be largely overlooked.
“In all too many cases, training is on-the-job, which we categorize as ‘tribal knowledge,’” Rogers explains.
Even before COVID, he says, the typical ground handler/cargo operation was experiencing very high employee turnover rates.
“Online training is part of the solution, no doubt. But the issue of measuring the knowledge uptake remains a challenge,” Rogers says.
To help develop the skills necessary for safe ULD and cargo operations, ULD Care has partnered with Airport College to create virtual reality (VR) training for ULDs. As the next step in this educational mission, the two organizations are hosting a webinar June 29 to demonstrate how ULD training can be delivered measurably and efficiently via VR.
The 90-minute presentation will begin at 3:30 p.m. (CET)/9:30 a.m. (EDT).
“Of course, some folks will be out of a relevant time zone, so it will be recorded for later viewing,” Rogers notes.
According to Rogers, VR opens up the possibility of bringing real-world scenarios to life on screen.
“While we cannot forecast exactly when and how the industry will return to pre-COVID levels, there are a number of aspects that require attention,” Rogers says.
VR allows a user to experience the process of performing a pre-use check of a ULD for damage, and then to “stress test” the trainee’s competence before passing the course.
“All this without them having to actually touch a real ULD,” Rogers explains.
What’s more, he says the results of such tests can be easily captured in a learning management system for maintaining employee training records.
The webinar is also expected to include a panel of industry experts, including ground handlers and airline employees.
According to Rogers, operations managers, supervisors and training managers involved in ULD operations stand to gain the most from this introduction to the relatively new technology.
“While it’s of interest to anyone who wants to see how VR can be applied to training in the aviation industry, in a practical and cost-effective manner, the most applicable participants would be those responsible for managing day-to-day cargo operation,” he says.
Additional details and registration information can be found here.
