Futenma pilots on Okinawa stay 'grounded' in new KC-130J flight simulator

Photo By Cpl. Daniel Flynn | 1st Lt. Nathan Sidwell (left) and 1st Lt. Tyler Spring, KC-130J copilots with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, use the KC-130J flight simulator to rehearse flight patterns for taking off and landing on Okinawa.  

MARINE AIR CORPS STATION FUTENMA, JAPAN

09.11.2008

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By the III Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs Office

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa -- Pilots stationed here have begun using the KC-130J flight simulator they received earlier this year.

The simulator allows the pilots to practice flying in many different circumstances.

"With the simulator, we are able to simulate a large variety of missions in many different terrains and we can even pretend to take fire," said Capt. Michael Van Wyk, a pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152. "The simulator gives us the ability to control our world."

The simulator was transported to Okinawa in the Russian-built Antonov AN-124 cargo aircraft in May.

From the outside the simulator looks like nothing more than a big grey box. On the inside, however, it is a very accurate replica of the cockpit of a KC-130J aircraft. The simulated environment is controlled by two stations at the back of the cockpit.

"Flying this simulator is pretty close to flying the real plane," said VMGR-152 pilot 1st Lt. John Menzel. "If anything, the plane is a little easier because you can actually feel the movement of the aircraft."

Training in the simulator includes learning the flight patterns that are used when flying over Okinawa, simulating an in-flight emergency and simulating any weather conditions in which the pilots wish to train. Everyday about four pilots come in and use the simulator for four hours at a time.

"This simulator allows us to train our pilots to the highest standards," said Capt. Andre Jonckheere, the future operations officer of VMGR-152.

The squadron began using the simulator two weeks ago. It is the third KC-130J flight simulator the Marine Corps has purchased, and is currently the only simulator of its kind in the Pacific.

"We have been looking forward to receiving this simulator and having it operational," said Jonckheere. "Now that we have it, it's an absolutely indispensable training tool."

• Date Taken: 09.11.2008
• Date Posted: 09.11.2008 22:10
• Story ID: 23531
• Location: MARINE AIR CORPS STATION FUTENMA, JP