Air station to receive full motion simulators

BANGALORE: In a bid to save time and money spent by the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Yelahanka Air Station will soon receive Full Motion Simulators for training purposes and hence replacing all stable simulation at the Flight Training Device (FTD).The 414 Air Force Station which is primarily used for training of Dornier, AN-32 and Helicopter training, located within the city has already sought for full motion simulators to replace the stable simulators. “We currently have the stable simulators which allow only for screen movement,” FTD In-charge Officer Wing Commander Maindargi said on Friday.The new simulators are said to have hydraulics and give the trainee pilot a feel of real flying while still on ground. “We have placed our requirements in front and are now awaiting the acquisition of the new simulators. The new simulators would try to reduce nearly 30 per cent of training time,” he said.Currently trainee pilots of Dornier and AN-32 are expected to fly 27 hours of stable simulation and 87 hours of actual flight. Explaining the other advantages of full motion simulators, officials said that they  provide the trainee with more time to train on the actual aircraft and also reduce the risk of accidents and growing costs of using an aircraft. “There are many hurdles to this as flight availability, emergency situations and other conditions cannot be simulated in the earlier set up. But with the new ones, the trainees will get a feel of flying in the actual aircraft without actually being in one,” he said.Over 35 trainees are inducted per aircraft for a six-month training. The new systems, yet to be finalised, are said to provide speedy and more efficient simulation technology and in the bid, trained pilots.