Air Force accepts training simulator Published April 8, 2011 By Stefan T. Bocchino 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- The Air Force will accept the HC-130P aircraft simulator from the developer in a ceremony today at 2 p.m. in Bldg. 950. The simulator provides a high-fidelity training environment for training aircrews in standard flight operations, helicopter air refueling, airdrops, night-vision goggles modified contour low-level flight, defensive tactics and emergency procedures according to Maj. Martin Golden, 58th Training Squadron assistant director of operations. "The simulator is designed for a crew of five, with four instructors," said Major Golden. "The five-person crew includes the pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer and radio operator in the student positions, and instructors for each." Because of the personnel recovery mission, the HC-130P takes more crew members than a C-130, according to Major Golden. He said the advantage of this simulator over previous ones is being able to have all the crew within the simulator. "The simulator has state-of-the-art computer systems," said Major Golden. "For pilots, it does a good job emulating aircraft handling in a wide variety of flight conditions. Navigators gain experience in the operation of radar, forward-looking infrared, and defensive systems. Flight engineers and radio operators master aircraft systems, and the entire crew builds familiarity in flight operations while adapting to the personnel recovery mission." According to Major Golden this allows students to gain proficiency in their task training before reaching the flight line. The increased familiarity and preparation allows for fewer aircraft sorties and reduces actual flying hours for the Air Force. Because the simulator was certified by Air Combat Command, operational units have benefited from the ability to log substantial portions of annual training requirements and conduct mission rehearsals before deployments, according to Major Golden. The prime contractor for the $14 million simulator is FlightSafety International. The operations and sustainment contract provisions are included in Lockheed Martin's Aircrew Training and Rehearsal Support program, which provides aircrew instructors for the simulators. "It's a quantum leap forward over what we had before," said John Fuss, ATARS instructor. "It's fantastic. You get in and you think you're in the airplane. We've made a great leap forward in the quality of training for the students." The simulator has been used for some time, but this ceremony marks the completion of the simulator and its formal contract acceptance by the government, according to Major Golden. "We are very proud of this device and the capabilities it brings to our aircrew training programs," said Major Golden.