Osprey simulator up, running

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The 19th Special Operations Squadron officially cut the ribbon on the CV-22 aircraft simulator Tuesday. Construction for the simulator began in March 2005. It was completed and released to the base in January. 

“We are not delivering a device to a training squadron today, but to the actual operators,” said Marine Corps Lt. Col. Doug Schuler, assistant program manager for training systems. 

It is one of eight that are scheduled to populate the Air Force in the next five to seven years. There is currently two other CV-22 simulators at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M
The $21 million simulator is intended to provide refresher and proficiency training to pilots, said Lt. Col. Jonathan Jay, CV-22 simulator program manager. 

The simulator at Hurlburt is a secondary motion training device, which allows pilots to feel vibration and motion without the actual structure moving. 

The device can put crews in various scenarios such as blowing rain, night snow storms, in-flight refueling and water rescue missions. It’s also programmed to display a representation of the runway and surrounding areas of military bases in the southeastern region of the United States. 

“When the pilots have to go to other bases for training missions they can familiarize themselves with the area in the simulator before they even get there,” Colonel Jay said.
The CV-22 is designed to land on naval ships, and the simulator allows operators to get some of that training without having to leave the base. 

“This is the first time Air Force Special Operations Command has had a simulator at the operational base with the aircraft,” said 16th Special Operations Wing Vice Commander, Col. Paul Harmon. 

“Pilots will still have to actually go out and land on ships, but this allows them more opportunities to train,” said Colonel Jay. “It’s also a lot easier than having to coordinate with the other services to land on their ships.” 

The CV-22 aircraft’s mission is long range and infiltration and exfiltration, and can function as a traditional airplane and helicopter. 

They’re expected to start arrive here this fall.