Air Brake Interactive, developed mainly by technical training specialist Bryan Duross of Duross, Suchay &
Associates Ltd., Technical Training Services, in Cambridge, Ont., aims to provide professional air brake
instructors with a complete training package. The ultimate target, of course, is a driver who understands the
design and function of a truck’s air brake system and uses that knowledge to properly inspect and maintain it.

The development team includes veteran brake consultant Ron Gervais of FreinMeister Group (who is also marketing the program) and John Miller of Commercial Driver Training Support Services.

At about half the price of a traditional ‘brake board’ the Level 1 package consists of a very detailed 150-page
Instructor Reference & Presentation Guide supported by a CD-ROM containing the program’s multimedia visual support material. It provides a detailed technical reference resource and a complete, point-by-point guide for presenting the program.

The program’s multimedia presentation is based on an easy-to-use point-and-click navigation system. Working from a main menu, the instructor can use 73 detailed static technical and informational visuals and 33 fully narrated technical component and system animations. He can move between them at will.

The visual materials in the presentation are of superior quality, and they back up the idea that the visual
medium is a powerful and effective teaching means. Duross says visual delivery of information is second only
in efficiency and retention to actual hands-on experience and practice.

Air Brake Interactive’s technical illustrations and animations allow students to actually see and hear how the
components and circuits of a typical air brake system function. It’s about “making the invisible visible.” Duross says that learning is done faster and better than with conventional air brake training material.

The structured program first provides students with a sound understanding of the basic physics of vehicle
braking, along with air, fluid and spring dynamics before moving on to the various air brake system components and circuits.

The Air Brake Interactive Level 1 training package is not sold. Rather, it’s licensed to end-users for use in
perpetuity, at a cost of $3995 for a single site licence. The licensee can use and present the program at a
single business location. It can be presented by any number of instructors at that same licensed facility
(multiple instructor guides can be purchased), but if it’s to be used elsewhere within the company, a separate
licence is required.

A ‘Single Mobile Presenter’ licence is also available for individual instructors who are responsible for
presenting air brake training at multiple locations, at $3995.

The program will undergo continual development and updates will be available for purchase to all currently licensed users on ‘as ready’ basis. Upgrade pricing will reflect the volume of new and/or improved content.