By Cpl Belinda Mepham
HAS the multi-million dollar, Project Air 5046 Phase 3C, Black Hawk Simulator, met its aims for training at Oakey?

Part of the aims were to replace three training aircraft and an estimated 1455 hours of aircraft-based training with simulator based training.

The UHSIM Logistic Support Manager of the project Capt Michael Jager said the project had delivered that aim and more.

“We have the only dedicated S78-9 Black Hawk Simulator. It is purpose built and provides non-negative training,” he said.

“Since we turned on the equipment, constant developing has been maintain and we have achieved full civil accreditation to Cat 5 Level D FSD 1. This means that every hour spent in the simulator equals an hour in a real Black Hawk.”

Project Manager Maj Edward Choice had been on the top of achieving the accreditation in conjunction with CAE.

Capt Jager said the simulator was the first to have chin windows with a 220 by 60-degree field of view.

“Inside is an exact replica of the real thing, even the little things like circuit breakers and the same tone coloured lights – this simulator is world class and one of a kind.”

Capt John Serko, AVNTC HQ had created scenarios and debugging the system for optimum training use and accuracy.

Capt Jager said the training is mostly based on fictitious Composite Terrain Databases (CTD). These are developed for tactical scenarios.”

“The CTDs are comprehensive and are designed specifically to accommodate training essential elements. Most of our military training areas have been created like Shoalwater Bay, High Range Training Area and many more.”

Other CTDs include Sydney’s full basin including the Blue Mountains, Australia Stadium and Westmead Hospital.

Darwin, Cairns, Mackay, Townsville and even Port Moresby had been intricately mapped out as well.

Capt Serko said there were desert, coastal and sea board CTDs, including mangroves, waves in the ocean and ships to land on.

“The training includes practices that require the pilots to land on the HMAS Tobruk, Manoora or other ocean craft, all of which have the ability to respond to the Black Hawk,” he said.

“We can allow a ship to fire at the Black Hawk and prompt 350 other malfunctions to take the training to the edge which is not possible in real time.”

The weather, night-time scenarios requiring the use of NVG were also determined in the simulator.

“By introducing the exact equipment and response requirements which the pilots would normally use, the program has effectively taken away the simulated approach and turned the training into the stimulated approach”

2Lt Craig Knott had been training on the simulator for two months and said the time in the simulator is valuable to pilot experience.

“Although it is not the real thing and nothing can entirely replace that experience the simulator has the capability to cause aircraft symptoms that are invaluable to our training,” he said

“It is safe, user friendly and can test our reactions to all the elements of training. It is a great investment for a training aid.”

The contract for the project stipulated that the simulator must have a minimum of 95 per cent operational availability.

The simulator is to date is at 99 per cent operational availability and has also replaced three training aircraft and an estimated 1455 hours of aircraft based training with simulator-based training.

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