Jaunted

Computers are used to provide a 3D model of the workings of the airplane, and the mechanics perform all maintenance with a mouse and a keyboard. They walk around the plane on the computer, and open every door and panel right on the screen in order to figure out how to replace and repair all the pieces that could malfunction. At the end of the course the mechanics get memory sticks as their parting gift, rather than volumes of printed manuals.

We’ll admit that it’s certainly a new way of doing things, and Boeing feels the same way. However, the Federal Aviation Administration is totally cool with it, and they have given the official approval to perform all training right on the computer. Pilots have also begun extensive training within simulators, but we hope that they get to see a real plane at least once before they’re taking passengers up into the sky—just call us old fashioned.

[Photo: /Divergence]