Missions or maneuvers that are deemed too risky to be taught directly on aircraft will be practiced by pilots at the centre
A new training centre for the Indian Air Force has been operationalised at the Hindon airbase with a full motion weapons system trainer for the C 130J special operations aircraft. The simulator, which mimics the complete systems and motion experienced on-board a real aircraft, will be used to train pilots before going on to the real aircraft.
Besides, missions or maneuvers that are deemed too risky to be taught directly on aircraft – like recovery from a spin or a low-level engine failure – will be practiced by air force pilots on the new simulator.
Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command, dedicated the simulator at a ceremony in which eight pilots graduated to the next phase of operational deployment.
The C 130J simulator is the first full motion simulator in service with the Indian Air Force and has been operationalised, managed and maintained by Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd along with the aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin
“The technology and configuration and configuration of the simulator enable trainee aircrew to perform precision low-level flying, airdrops, disaster relief, HADR Operations and landing in blackout conditions status with zero Flight Time,” an air force spokesperson said.
Mahindra has said that the centre will ‘deliver qualitative and quantitative training to hone the tactical and operational skills of the C 130J pilots, combat system operators and loadmasters to conduct special operations across National and International boundaries’.
“We believe this will help deliver the objectives of the Government of India and the Indian Air Force of building indigenous military capabilities. Mahindra Defence Systems, in its endeavor to support the Make in India initiative of the Government of India, is consistently building the ecosystem through similar programs towards a mission ready IAF,” S. P. Shukla, Group President, Aerospace & Defence Sector, and Chairman, Mahindra Defence Systems said.