Questions & Answers
Ground Handling Basics
What is ground handling?
Ground handling refers to all the services that support an aircraft between landing and take-off. Typical activities include passenger check-in, baggage loading, aircraft marshalling, refuelling or safety inspections. Efficient ground handling keeps turn-around times low, safety standards high and operating costs under control - making it a mission-critical part of airport operations.
What do ground handling agents do?
Ground handling agents, also known as ramp agents or ground operations staff, ensure a smooth and safe aircraft turnaround between landing and takeoff. They handle baggage, operate ground-support equipment, guide aircraft during parking and pushback, inspect for safety hazards, and coordinate with cockpit and terminal teams while following strict procedures that maintain efficiency and reduce delays.
What are the most common safety risks in ground handling?
The most common safety risks in ground handling include aircraft damage from ground support equipment, human error due to fatigue or time pressure, improper baggage or cargo loading, slips and falls on the apron, and miscommunication between teams. These risks can impact safety, cause delays, and result in costly operational disruptions.
Why is standardized training critical for ramp operations?
Standardized training is essential in ramp operations because it ensures all staff follow consistent procedures, reducing errors, equipment misuse, and miscommunication. This consistency enables faster and safer aircraft turnarounds by keeping operations predictable and efficient, even when teams work under time pressure or changing conditions.
Virtual Reality in Ground Handling Training
What are the benefits of Virtual Reality based training in ground handling?
Virtual Reality training in ground handling improves safety, enhances knowledge retention, and shortens onboarding times. It enables realistic, risk-free practice of rare and routine scenarios, helping trainees build procedural confidence before stepping onto the apron. VR modules are scalable, standardized, and cost-effective, making them a powerful tool for improving ramp performance across teams.
Which tasks can be trained with Virtual Reality in ground handling?
Virtual Reality enables effective training for key ground-handling tasks including aircraft arrival, FOD checks, PPE routines, cone and chock handling, baggage loading, and turnaround operations. Draxon’s VR solution also includes Ground Support Equipment (GSE) training modules, such as belt loader operation. Each module reflects real apron conditions to improve safety, consistency, and team readiness.
How to implement Virtual Reality training in ground handling?
Implementing VR training in ground handling typically takes two to six weeks for ready-to-use modules, depending on scope. With Draxon’s solution, teams start with a live demo on-site. Preconfigured headsets are delivered and installed without technical setup. Trainers receive onboarding to run modules and track progress, enabling immediate rollout with minimal IT involvement.
Can trainees use the training solutions in their local language?
Yes, Draxon’s VR training modules are available in multiple languages to ensure clarity and effectiveness for local teams. German, English, and Spanish are currently supported. Additional languages can be provided upon request within approximately two weeks, allowing training to remain accessible and impactful for diverse ground-handling environments.
Is motion sickness a problem within VR training?
Based on Draxon’s internal tests and demo sessions, only around 4% of users experienced motion sickness symptoms. Unlike fast-paced VR games, our training modules are designed for procedural learning, not entertainment. Movements are purposeful and task-specific, which makes VR training highly tolerable—even for users who are otherwise sensitive to VR environments.
Do I need any hardware in terms of headsets or PCs to be able to train with VR?
No additional hardware or software is needed to start training. Draxon provides everything required, including fully configured VR headsets and training modules. Setup WiFi is also included to ensure a smooth onboarding process, allowing teams to focus entirely on training without managing devices, systems or installation.
Can you support scenario-based ground handling training and random errors for more realism?
Yes, all Draxon training modules simulate real-world ramp scenarios, including common errors and incorrect behaviors. Trainees experience the consequences of mistakes, such as unsafe movements or procedural lapses, in a controlled virtual environment. This reinforces correct habits, builds procedural awareness, and prepares staff for real ramp conditions with greater confidence and efficiency.
Is your VR training compliant with IATAand EASA standards?
While IATA and EASA do not officially certify VR training providers, all of Draxon’s modules are developed in full alignment with their published safety and procedural guidelines. This ensures consistent, regulation-oriented training that supports safe, standardized ground-handling operations across airports.
Improve training effectiveness and raise safety standards with VR training.