U.S. Air Force officials needed a system to help train C-17 Globemaster III airlifter crews from Air Mobility Command and Air Force Reserve Command. They found the solution, a C-17 Aircrew Training System (ATS) from Boeing Co. in St. Louis.
The Boeing ATS includes the weapons systems trainer (WST), a realistic, full-motion simulator for pilot training, and the loadmaster station, a training device for loadmaster students to perform preflight operations, operate aircraft systems, and practice emergency procedures.
The WSTs use physical aircraft avionics, explains Tracy Mead, C-17 ATS program manager for Boeing. “We plan to upgrade all the existing WSTs with this technology, which means that we will be able to return the physical avionics to the C-17 aircraft program, allowing it to increase its spares inventory.”
The ATS went into operation at Dover Air Force Base, Del., in November 2008. More than 1,500 pilot, co-pilot, and loadmaster students each year will train with the C-17 ATS, which also provides maintaining continuation training for more than 8,000 active, reserve, and Air National Guard aircrew.
“It’s great to just walk across the street to do the training. Finally, it feels like we are at a C-17 base,” says Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jess Windsor, evaluator loadmaster, 326th Airlift Squadron.
For more information, visit The Boeing Co. online at www.boeing.com.
