VVResponse: from a proof of concept to an air traffic control training simulator
Rocket Lab rebuilt VVResponse, Visual Vectoring's web-based training simulator for air traffic control communications, from a proof of concept. Trainees speak over a virtual radio, and an LLM plays the pilots and other parties, then evaluates their performance.
- Aviation training
- Product Discovery
- UX/UI Design
About the Client
Visual Vectoring is an Australian company that provides simulation training for air traffic control, used by air navigation service providers and training institutions.
VVResponse, by Visual Vectoring, is a web-based training simulator for air traffic control communications. Trainees work through emergency and abnormal scenarios by speaking over a virtual radio. An LLM plays the pilots and other parties, then evaluates the trainee's performance. It is for air traffic controllers, trainees and trainers, to refresh skills or train new controllers.
The Challenge
Visual Vectoring had an early proof of concept that used an LLM and had no database. It came to Rocket Lab to review it and turn it into a real product. Rocket Lab recommended a full rebuild.
The brief was a web app for a trial rollout, with:
- User accounts.
- An exercise library, with shared exercises and exercises private to each organisation.
- Voice interaction over simulated radio frequencies.
- Step-based scenarios that advance when the trainee meets the objectives in time.
- Practice and exam modes.
- A performance report written by the LLM.
The Solution
Rocket Lab ran discovery, then rebuilt VVResponse in full.
Discovery
In June and July 2025, over two sprints, Rocket Lab ran workshops, wrote the user stories, designed the web app in Figma and produced the technical design.
The technical design covered the AWS infrastructure, multi-tenancy, the scenario format, the voice and radio system, and an LLM abstraction layer, so the model can be swapped later.
The build
From September to December 2025, Rocket Lab rebuilt VVResponse in Next.js and TypeScript on AWS:
- Exercise selection.
- The live exercise screen.
- Radio communication driven by the LLM, with speech-to-text and text-to-speech.
- Step evaluation and final reports.
- An admin mode for testing prompts.
Exercises the client writes
Rocket Lab also wrote an Exercise Guide, so Visual Vectoring can author and upload its own exercises. Training organisations can run shared exercises alongside their own private ones.
Improvements
In August 2026, a further sprint made the LLM prompts configurable and visible to admins.
The Outcome
Rocket Lab took VVResponse from a proof of concept to a rebuilt web app: user accounts, a shared and private exercise library, voice over simulated radio, step-based scenarios, practice and exam modes, and an LLM-written performance report, with exercises Visual Vectoring authors itself.
Next step
Building something like Visual Vectoring?
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Julien Lamy
Founder and Fractional CPTO
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