Originally Posted by
Sandy Parts
MPAStudent - do the 'training flights' have to be flights? The future of training is synthetic apparently. Separate specialist sensor training modules (cubicles) can keep the operators 'kit-fresh' while a Full Crew Trainer keeps crew co-operation honed (no need for motion - just all the kit and a good "x-box" running it!). Some training flights are still essential but less than previously. Training flights during multi-force exercises are worth their weight in gold (see 'Neptune Warrior').
Unfortunately some training flight must be flights. The specification demands 100 training flights, with a war load, per aircraft per year for the purposes of working out costs. Obviously this flight regime could be supplemented by simulator training but honestly that seems like a pretty decent operational tempo anyway, given that these are ~10 hour long missions. If we're looking at multiple crews per aircraft then some training simulation would definitely be a good plan, we'll probably mention that in the final report.