New simulator increases Altus AFB training capacity

  • Published
  • By U.S Air Force Airman 1st Class Nathan Clark
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
(ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla.) --  The 97th Training Squadron recently received a new KC-135 Stratotanker flight simulator to help train student pilots and keep instructors qualified.

The simulator was originally at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, but was relocated to Altus AFB to make room for a KC-46A Pegasus simulator.

Altus AFB currently has four simulators available to students and instructors, said Carl Covey, 97th TRS KC-135 quality assurance supervisor. "This fifth one will alleviate a lot of the workload that's put on the four that are running now."

"All KC-135 simulators have a progressive modification schedule going on," said Covey. "These upgrades and other modifications take the simulators out of use for training for extended periods of time, but we have to keep the students going through the program. If they get behind on the simulator schedule, that could push them back on the flightline side of training, so having this fifth one will really help with that."

Having an additional trainer not only keeps students on track for graduation, but it helps their instructors stay proficient and qualified as well.

"Up to this point, the instructors haven't been required to do continuous training via a waiver for the Air Force Instruction," said Covey. "Now we could have a simulator dedicated for instructors to keep them qualified."

The use of flying simulators is not only a safer option to teach pilots their initial skills, but it also has a substantial cost benefit.

It costs $18,954 per flight hour to operate the KC-135, compared to the simulator, which operates at approximately $2,000 per flight hour.

The process of getting the new simulator relocated and set up started in June 2014 and is scheduled to be ready for operation July 29, 2015.