Simulator teaches emergencies before they happen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matt McGovern
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CA. --  The left engine is malfunctioning and we’re losing altitude!

The sound and feel of a replicated malfunction can be experienced by crewmembers while training in the KC-10 flight simulator.

The simulators can also simulate all types of weather conditions from clear day to extreme weather.

The flight deck is identical to the real KC-10 aircraft with the ability to simulate operations such as takeoff and landing, in-flight refueling and several malfunctions and emergency situations.

“We have excellent facilities here that provide the crews with an outstanding environment to train in and learn about the KC-10,” said Mr. Steve Andrews, KC-10 Aircrew Training System site manager.

According to Mr. Andrews, the flight simulator has a flight deck compartment mounted on hydraulically operated legs that allow it to simulate the feel of the aircraft. It has a wide screen wrap around visual system that displays a realistic view out the windows that replicates runways at various worldwide locations.

Additionally, the visual system, can display another tanker aircraft to allow the aircrews to practice air-to-air refueling. All the sounds the aircrew hears in the actual aircraft are also replicated. The visual system uses graphic projection to show exact replicas of structures, terrain, buildings and runways throughout the world.

In addition to the realistic training experience, the instructors can bring their real life experience in dealing with situations that occur while in the air.

“The Boeing instructors are all previous Air Force aircrew members and most have spent at least a 20-year career in the Air Force flying and instructing in Air Force aircraft. Many of the instructors have more than 10 years instructing in the KC-10 Aircrew Training System. Our instructor cadre is one of our most valuable assets,” said Mr. Andrews.

The seasoned instructors repeatedly familiarize crewmembers with emergency situations on the ground in a safe environment, thus when faced with an emergency, aircrews can react in a second-nature fashion.

Training crewmembers to safely operate the KC-10 is an extremely rewarding part of the job, according to Mr. Andrews.

“We trained 2,100 KC-10 crewmembers at the Travis training site in 2005.

“Watching the students mature into competent qualified crewmembers and then seeing them return for the quarterly refresher training is very enjoyable,” he said.