thedrifter
10-02-08, 12:24 PM
Simulator challenges aerial refueler pilots at Futenma
Training tool lets Marines practice flying in difficult conditions
By Cindy Fisher, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, October 3, 2008
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa — A new training tool is giving Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 pilots more flight time without ever leaving the ground.
It’s all thanks to the squadron’s new KC-130J flight simulator that arrived earlier this year.
"I’m glad to have it," said Capt. James N. Cunningham III, 27. "I love practicing in here instead of eating up gas."
The simulator is one of only three in the Marine Corps — the other two are with KC-130 squadrons in the States.
Lt. Col. Tim Patrick, 42, the squadron commander, said his unit will easily recoup the simulator’s cost, which exceeded $20 million. Training in the simulator, which began last month, means less wear and tear on aircraft, less fuel used and less work for maintainers, he said.
The squadron is running the simulator about six to eight hours a day. Right now, a handful of pilots with simulator experience are acting as instructors for the training, but soon two contractors will be on the island to run the simulator, Patrick said.
"It was a disadvantage for us not to have one," said Capt. Joseph R. Lennox, 28. There was "lots of training we couldn’t do in real aircraft because it’s too dangerous. And there is a lot of training we couldn’t do in Okinawa because there isn’t enough terrain — like low-level flying through mountains or air deliveries."
The simulator can mimic various weather conditions and terrain and can be programmed with scenarios involving aircraft mechanical problems, tactical threats and other emergency situations, Patrick said. Pilots can practice flying low-level routes over the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan or through dust storms in Iraq.
In the aircraft, training to deal with combat threats is more theoretical, he said.
Pilots are also able to practice a variety of techniques during one simulator session or practice one part of the flight over and over — something that isn’t possible in an actual aircraft.
"It definitely makes it easier, a lot simpler, a lot more efficient," Lennox said.
Ellie
Training tool lets Marines practice flying in difficult conditions
By Cindy Fisher, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, October 3, 2008
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa — A new training tool is giving Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 pilots more flight time without ever leaving the ground.
It’s all thanks to the squadron’s new KC-130J flight simulator that arrived earlier this year.
"I’m glad to have it," said Capt. James N. Cunningham III, 27. "I love practicing in here instead of eating up gas."
The simulator is one of only three in the Marine Corps — the other two are with KC-130 squadrons in the States.
Lt. Col. Tim Patrick, 42, the squadron commander, said his unit will easily recoup the simulator’s cost, which exceeded $20 million. Training in the simulator, which began last month, means less wear and tear on aircraft, less fuel used and less work for maintainers, he said.
The squadron is running the simulator about six to eight hours a day. Right now, a handful of pilots with simulator experience are acting as instructors for the training, but soon two contractors will be on the island to run the simulator, Patrick said.
"It was a disadvantage for us not to have one," said Capt. Joseph R. Lennox, 28. There was "lots of training we couldn’t do in real aircraft because it’s too dangerous. And there is a lot of training we couldn’t do in Okinawa because there isn’t enough terrain — like low-level flying through mountains or air deliveries."
The simulator can mimic various weather conditions and terrain and can be programmed with scenarios involving aircraft mechanical problems, tactical threats and other emergency situations, Patrick said. Pilots can practice flying low-level routes over the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan or through dust storms in Iraq.
In the aircraft, training to deal with combat threats is more theoretical, he said.
Pilots are also able to practice a variety of techniques during one simulator session or practice one part of the flight over and over — something that isn’t possible in an actual aircraft.
"It definitely makes it easier, a lot simpler, a lot more efficient," Lennox said.
Ellie