Training simulators keep C-17 maintainers current

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrick Harrower
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  There can be a lot of variables that keep C-17 Globemaster III maintainers at Travis from achieving the constant, ongoing training necessary in their career field.

The hot sun, rain or high winds may complicate their ability to train on an actual aircraft on the flightline. If they are able to train on the flightline, there is no telling when and where a mission might happen that will need to utilize the plane they are using for training.

To mitigate those problems, the 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 14 has an expansive facility for maintainers to train in.

"We are responsible for all of Travis when it comes to maintenance training," said Staff Sgt. John Ortiz, 373rd TRS Det 14 C-17 electrical and environmental instructor. "Also, we can help out any base that needs training. Some maintainers come here on temporary duty assignments for education."

In the C-17 facility where Ortiz instructs, there is $35 million worth of state-of-the-art maintenance simulators to keep mechanics current.

"The unique thing about teaching here is we don't have to worry about the high Windsor rain that would prevent us from safely achieving training on the flightline," Ortiz said. "I can show my students how to open doors and panels outside the aircraft without having to stop because of safety concerns."

Even when the weather is cooperative, there is still a risk of breaking an aircraft while conducting training. On the flightline, this could cost a mission, he said.

"It's great that we can come in here and perform maintenance on these simulators," Ortiz said. "If it doesn't look like we will finish a task, I don't have to rush the students through it to make sure the aircraft is fully mission capable."

Even though the simulators are not flying missions, they are still close enough to the real thing to provide the best training possible. Students can remove and replace aircraft parts, run operational checks on systems and even perform mock engine runs.

Instructors also are able to simulate faults, malfunctions, flameouts, hydraulic issues and various other failures to not only observe how the students react, but to give them the experience without damaging an actual aircraft.

Tech. Sgt. Robert Butto, 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron electrical and environmental specialist is primarily a C-5 Galaxy mechanic, but is transitioning to a unit where he will maintain C-17s.

"It's really helpful to come here first and get a feel for the new aircraft I will be working on," he said. "When I get to my new shop and they are performing a task I did here, I will be able to jump right in and help out."