Panel Vector

Interactive A320 cockpit trainer with scenario-driven hotspot decision workflows.

A320 Incident Replay

Summary

The A320 Incident Replay is a specialized tablet-based training tool designed for asymmetric cockpit familiarization and abnormal-procedure rehearsal. Using a JavaScript-driven interactive interface, the application allows pilots to navigate responsive cockpit panels (such as overhead, pedestal, and main glareshield) to execute simulated emergency drills like Engine Fires and Rapid Decompressions. By combining timed cues, dynamic system interactions, and sequential decision tracking, it offers a scalable, accessible alternative to full-flight simulators for foundational systems training.
A320 training concept

A320 Incident Replay

Asymmetric cockpit familiarization and abnormal-procedure rehearsal for tablet-based pilot training.
Phase CLB
Route OMDB → CYYZ
Altitude FL230
Speed 290 KT
Heading 274°
V/S +1100
Fuel 5.8T
Risk High
ECAM / Event state ENG 1 FIRE
Crew / ATC exchange
Captain
Engine 1 fire warning. Maintain control. Confirm indications.
Training intent
ObjectivePanel recognition under pressure
ModeBlind study with debrief reveal
WeatherIMC
Hint rulePanel-directed, not answer-directed
A320 Cockpit Trainer

Simulator Exercise A

100%
Pan like a flight-deck camera · Zoom for inspection · Hint glides to the expected operating region
Scenario status

Scenario 1

Time remaining 03:00
Active
Wrong panel or wrong control will fail the scenario.
Step progress
1
2
3
4
Scene log
Waiting
No actions recorded yet.
All previous messages
Archive empty
Older messages will appear here as dropdown rows.
Instructor debrief
Recognition18%
Sequencing14%
Tempo98%
Autonomy100%
Review
Scenario remains blind while active. Full solve guidance appears after the run ends.
Current / expected panel
pedestal-engine
Incorrect actions
0
Missed or wrong items
No missed items recorded yet.
Training note
The exercise stays blind while active; after finish or failure the scenario title and solve path are revealed for study.
Scenario
Simulator Exercise A — blind until run ends
Solve path
Hidden during live run.
Expected panel / control preview
Technical foundation

This trainer is built by decomposing the A320 cockpit into composite scene regions, named control panels, and individual control hotspots that can be queried during a scenario run.

The FlyByWire A320 flight deck material is used here as an open simulation-oriented reference for cockpit structure, panel naming, and systems context, rather than as a direct airline SOP reproduction.

  • Composite cockpit scenes provide fast spatial orientation before the learner drills into a smaller panel.
  • Panel JSON files define image dimensions, panel identity, and hotspot geometry for control-level interaction.
  • Scenario logic adds timing pressure, error handling, hints, and debrief review.
  • Debrief mode reveals expected panel path, required controls, and missed actions after the blind run ends.
Reference sources
Why this method is efficient

Faster than passive reading

Checklist-only study teaches labels, but this interface forces spatial recall, panel discrimination, and control recognition under time pressure.

Faster than video review

Video shows what someone else did; this trainer requires the learner to search, decide, commit, and recover.

Scalable deliberate practice

A structured cockpit trainer can deliver repeatable targeted practice, step-level error capture, and immediate debrief without instructor scheduling limits.

Weak-zone isolation

Because the cockpit is divided into panel regions and then control hotspots, learners can isolate weak areas quickly instead of repeating full procedures every time.

Future roadmap
  • Adaptive scenario engine: difficulty changes dynamically based on hesitation, wrong-panel frequency, repeat errors, and hint usage.
  • Semantic debrief intelligence: failures are clustered by cockpit region, system family, and decision pattern instead of only reporting wrong clicks.
  • Voice and crew interaction: add challenge-response, callout recognition, and cross-check prompting.
  • Telemetry and analytics: capture hover, click, hint, and timing data for heat maps, replay, confusion analysis, and longitudinal competency tracking.
  • Immersive cockpit modes: extend toward panoramic navigation, head-tracked inspection, and spatialized abnormal-event cues.
  • Procedure graph logic: replace fixed step chains with graph-based action logic containing valid, invalid, recoverable, and alternate branches.

© Dr. Balaji Ramanathan