BetaDraxon VR Training SyllabusDriving Practice
Virtual RealityDescription
This lesson trains pushback driving through a progressive six-level system, from full steering guidance to fully independent operation across left curve, right curve, and dogleg scenarios. After each attempt, a scoreboard provides scored feedback on path accuracy, target positioning, and degree of independent driving. The training focuses on building steering control and path precision to prevent towbar overextension, jackknifing, and aircraft damage.
Lesson Overview
- 1Six training levels with increasing difficulty
- 2Practice steering with a guidance system to build familiarity with steering inputs and driving behavior
- 3Progress through all six levels, from full to no steering guidance
- 4Learn three pushback scenarios: left curve, right curve, dogleg
Skills Acquired
- Execute controlled pushback maneuvers to safely move an aircraft from the gate to the taxiway
- Understand the counterintuitive steering mechanics of a pushback with a towbar to maintain directional control through turns
- Recognize towbar angle limits at the nose gear and tractor connection to prevent structural damage and jackknifing
- Achieve precise final aircraft positioning on the taxiway centerline to ensure safe handover for taxi operations
Lesson Procedure
- The lessons starts with a training dashboard, showing six levels progressing from full guidance to fully independent driving.
- A short tutorial introduces the guidance bubble mechanic: the trainee practices steering left, right, and back to neutral by centering the red steering indicator inside the blue bubble used to highlight the steering wheel target position.
- The trainee selects a pushback scenario (left curve, right curve, or dogleg) and begins driving, following the highlighted path to the target position.
- In Levels 1–5, the guidance bubble appears progressively less frequently with each level; the trainee adjusts steering inputs to stay on track and stop within the target zone.
- After each attempt, a scoreboard displays performance across path following, target accuracy, and independent driving; a score of 85 or above is required to pass the level.
- In Level 6, no guidance is provided; the pushback scenarios can be trained without any support in preparation for the Driving Exam lesson
Level Progression & Scoring
1. Getting Started: Full Guidance (100%)
Trainees begin with continuous steering guidance. The focus is on understanding pushback motion, tractor response, and path control.
2. Building Confidence: High Guidance (75%)
Guidance remains frequent as trainees achieve greater responsibility. Emphasis shifts towards developing directional control.
3. Finding Your Rhythm: Medium Guidance (50%)
Trainees balance guided and independent steering, developing a feel for tractor behaviour without continuous support.
4. Taking Control: Low Guidance (25%)
Guidance appears infrequently. Trainees refine their technique with minimal assistance until consistent performance is achieved.
5. Almost There: Minimal Guidance (10%)
Near-complete independent operation. Trainees practice all three scenarios with minimal guidance available.
6. Manual: No Guidance (0%)
Trainees must pass at least one of the three pushback scenarios with a passing score to conclude the training.
Scoring System
- Each attempt is evaluated and the score is displayed at the end of the attempt.
- A score of 85 or higher is required to pass. The score is calculated based on:
- Path following — measures how closely the trainee followed the ideal path
- Target accuracy — measures how precisely the trainee positioned the aircraft at the final stop position
- Inependent driving — measures how much the trainee drove without relying on the guidance bubble
- The score detail view visualizes the driven path compared against the ideal path, with each moment highlighted where the guidance bubble was shown.
Safety Scenarios & Learnings
Towbar reaching the NO TOW zone at the nose gear
Attempt stopped; demonstrates that excessive towbar angle risks serious structural damage to the aircraft
Attempt stopped; demonstrates that excessive towbar angle risks serious structural damage to the aircraft
Tractor and towbar jackknifing
Attempt stopped; demonstrates that oversteering creates jackknife risk and can damage the equipment
Attempt stopped; demonstrates that oversteering creates jackknife risk and can damage the equipment
Driving off path
Attempt stopped; reinforces that path accuracy must be maintained during driving
Attempt stopped; reinforces that path accuracy must be maintained during driving
