Travis simulators prepare aircrew

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Madelyn Ottem
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --   Travis utilizes numerous simulators for training purposes compatible with the C-5 Galaxy, KC-10 Extender and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

The simulators vary in size and technological advancement, but remain effective in saving the Air Force man hours and unnecessary costs.

"The values of simulators are extraordinary," said Darrol Prill, 60th Operations Support Squadron C-17 training systems project officer. "If an in-flight disaster happens to occur, our crew won't freak out because they just have to go through the motions they have learned through training."

The simulators on Travis range from stationary to mobile, projection to digital images and from hydraulic to electrical power based.

The simulators humble beginnings in the Air Force started with the Link Box Trainer.

This wooden box acted as both a pilot trainer and a carnival ride in the late 1930s. The system was purposefully created unstable to simulate every position in flight.

A static display of the simulator can be found on Travis at the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum.

With the technological advancements that have occurred in the Air Force since its origin, aircrew members on Travis have the tools needed to become practiced at their specific job duties. Whether those duties entail daily operations or disaster situations.

"Airmen, whether they be pilots, loadmasters, flight engineers or boom operators, are able to learn the necessary job qualifying skills and the proactive emergency skills without ever stepping outside the building," said Bryan Burns, 60th Operations Support Squadron C-5 aircrew training systems project officer/quality assurance representative.

We are able to train for emergencies in the simulator that could never be practiced, but still may occur, on an aircraft, Burns said. It's cost effective for the Air Force because the simulator can be used countless times without any wear and tear to the aircraft being used on missions.

The C-17 Weapons Training System is the first device of its size that has an all electrical motion base.

"The motion of the legs have to be smooth because a digital hesitation would make the simulation less realistic," Prill said. "So far they have performed very well."

While the C-5 air refueling part task trainer still relies on a system of angled mirrors, lenses, lights and plane models to project an image, the KC-10 flight simulator has the advantage of Google Earth imagery for the most realistic view while flying and landing.

With the reliability enhancement and re-engining program, Travis is scheduled to receive a new simulator to match the capabilities of the C-5 M model, expected to be operational in late 2013.