The “Aviation Corrosion Challenge” mobile app, designed to give U.S. Sailors and Marines an interactive, score-based gaming scenario for identifying corrosion, became available in app stores on February 8, 2018.
The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) (Norfolk, Virginia, USA) and the U.S. Navy Sea Warrior Program (PMW 240) partnered to launch the app through the Navy AppLocker; Google Play for Android users; and iTunes for iOS users. CNATT is the technical training agent for the U.S. Naval Aviation Enterprise, an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost under the U.S. Navy’s (Washington, DC, USA) Naval Education and Training Command.
“CNATT and PMW 240 have been efforting this for six months, and to see this come to fruition represents a move toward the technology-based learning we’re embracing,” says Mark Tinetti, CNATT instructional systems specialist. “Students today have information at their fingertips, and putting out material in a format to which they’re accustomed is keeping in line with CNATT’s modernized learning model.”
The app will not replace or substitute existing corrosion training, according to Tinetti, but is instead designed to augment it through visual identification of corrosion; methods for removing and treating corrosion; and materials used in corrosion prevention.
Using photographs and text, the game randomly generates elements associated with corrosion control, including types, effects on alloys, aircraft cleaning, preventative compounds, and sealants. Game users answer questions within a set amount of time while earning points.
“The game format of this app is something we felt could be more appealing to users,” Tinetti says. “Individuals spend a lot of time on their phones and having a resource such as this immediately accessible is something we felt could effectively complement required training.”
Tinetti adds that the game allows a review of questions at the end of each challenge and includes an achievement section, which unlocks trophies for points and levels earned.
Roger Nelson, a senior chief aviation structural mechanic and subject matter expert at CNATT, oversaw the content portion of the app’s development. He says the game-based training aid is something supervisors can employ as part of regularly scheduled training.
“Corrosion is one of the biggest challenges service members at squadrons, fleet readiness centers and other facilities face on a daily basis,” Nelson says. “Incorporating this visual aid as something to augment training is something we’re hoping division officers and chiefs can stress to [those] who deal with corrosion.”
The app offers public content and does not require authentication or authorization to access.
Captain Eric Simon, a commanding officer within CNATT, says the center is moving toward electronic training. “Using technologies that can assist us in providing better training is critical to support the naval aviation mission and keep us at the forefront of training,” Simon says. “The CNATT staff is always looking for methods to improve the way we train, and these sorts of applications should prove to be beneficial to the young men and women who are keeping our planes in the air and equipment operating safely.”
Source: U.S. Department of Defense, www.dvidshub.net.