1.8.11 – Production Release

Tractor: Equipment 101

Basics

• Introduces a typical airport tractor and four standard configurations: hitching a GPU, hitching a towable stairs unit, hitching multiple baggage carts, and personnel transport.
• Teaches recognition of major components spanning the tow hitch, the rear inching system, the fuel cap, the storage compartment, and the operator's cabin.
• Highlights the tractor's versatility and importance as the apron's core utility vehicle.
• Builds understanding of each setup's operational purpose before procedural lessons.

Tow Hitch

• Trains use of the manual tow hitch and tow pin for coupling and uncoupling carts.
• Teaches correct hitch level selection (middle level only) and warns against low-level insertion due to detachment risk.
• Emphasizes the "shake check" after insertion to confirm the tow pin is fully inserted and secured.
• Includes full coupling/decoupling sequence with correct hand coordination.
• Animated accident demo shows the consequences of skipping the safety check.

Inching System

• Demonstrates activation and operation of the tow inching system for precision coupling.
• In the cabin: teaches the correct setting to enable the inching system (turn ignition and engine on, apply parking brake, set gear to neutral, and enable the inching switch).
• Outside: teaches the trainee to perform short controlled taps on the inching button to carefully move the tractor while closely observing movement sensitivity.
• Reinforces safe positioning — demonstrates the importance of never standing in the crush zone between the tractor and a GSE when using the inching system.
• Covers emergency stop training and error cases for incorrect usage of the inching button.

Walkaround

• Provides a two-stage inspection training similar to other GSE modules.
• Guided tour around the tractor (exterior and interior) to learn inspection points such as tires, fluids, lights, and hitch area.
• The second part includes a fault-finding exercise with planted issues (e.g. low fuel, damaged light, broken window).
• Reinforces that walkarounds must always be performed before operation.

Exam

• Exam lesson covering 15 multiple-choice questions (pass = 80% = 12/15).
• Topics include tractor purpose and GSE it can tow, inching procedure, correct hitch level, and safety rules.
• Tests knowledge of core tow pin operations spanning the mandatory shake check, crush-zone awareness, and walkaround requirements.
• Confirms competence to operate tractors safely and independently.

Towable Stairs: Equipment 101

Basics

• Introduces a typical towable stairs unit and its key structural components.
• Covers components including towbar and integrated handbrake, stabilizer jacks, lift pump, lower and unlock levers, safety gate, and extendable handrails.
• Demonstrates basic principles of platform elevation and securing with short educational animations.
• Builds recognition of all main control points before hands-on operation in later lessons.

Moving & Securing

• Teaches how to push and pull the towable stairs forward and backward through short educational animations and step-by-step guides, emphasizing correct body and hand placement.
• Emphasizes the importance and procedure of secure parking of the towable stairs.
• Explains how to release and reapply the integrated brake and handle the towbar safely.
• Trains deployment and retraction of stabilizer jacks for final positioning.

Platform Elevation

• Teaches precise operation of the three-lever height control system (lift pump, lower lever, unlock lever).
• Trainees practice smooth pumping motion, hear realistic ratchet clicks, and confirm engagement of the safety mechanism via snap-in sound.
• Introduces the highly important "secure after lifting" step — a short lower-lever pull that ensures the safety mechanism is securely locked in place.
• Demonstrates safe lowering of the towable stairs platform using a coordinated two-hand sequence (unlock safety mechanism + lower lever).
• Short educational animations of a colleague supporting hands-on training by the trainee.

Extendable Handrails

• Teaches how to safely extend and retract the extendable handrails on the platform of the towable stair.
• Covers adjacent processes like opening and closing of the belt barrier and the red safety gate.
• Requires a mandatory manual shake check after extension and retraction of the handrails to confirm the locking pins engaged.
• Starts with an educational demonstration followed by hands-on practice for timing and coordination.

Walkaround

• Guides the trainee through a complete pre-operation inspection of the towable stairs.
• Includes step-by-step checks of 13 important components covering e.g. tires, stabilizer jacks, handrails, safety gate, and platform height control levers.
• The second part introduces fault-finding with 9 planted issues such as deflated tires or damaged handrails.
• Builds situational awareness and reinforces the habit of carefully inspecting the equipment before use.

Exam

• Exam lesson covering 15 multiple-choice questions (pass = 80% = 12/15).
• Tests theoretical and practical understanding of core components such as stabilizer jacks, extendable handrails and towbar.
• Emphasizes the correct pre-move conditions: platform fully lowered, stabilizers retracted, handrails retracted, safety gate closed.
• Ensures trainees can identify safe configurations and critical safety steps.

Further Changes

• Implemented Recurrent training for the GPU and Belt Loader modules
• Reworked buildings across all lessons on the parking lot with improved lighting and increased visual depth
• Changed the placement of the personal ID on characters to be positioned at chest level
• Changed the Dutch speaker to solve volume and audio inconsistencies
• Improved the animation and UX of the "remove power hand signal" in the Remove Power GPU lesson
• Added a "NEW" badge to the main menu to highlight new modules
• Added a "language preview badge" for translations that have been translated using AI but have not been reviewed by a human yet
• Adjusted placement of cones to be 1m away from the wing tips across multiple lessons
• Added bumper roller as dedicated point of interest in Belt Loader Basics and Walkaround lesson including a planted failure case
• Improved animation for Belt Loader driver during crash animation in the Approaching the Aircraft lesson
• Added additional guidance via holo controllers in the Belt Loader Operating at the Aircraft lesson after trainees fail to activate the belt