RYAN AEROSPACE wins training simulator contract with US Air Force

In recent years, the US Air Force has suffered not only from a shortage of pilots, but also a shortage of flight instructors who can deliver one-on-one training to the students. The government’s Defence Innovation Unit (DIU) were tasked with looking to industry to find a better way to train pilots and RYAN AEROSPACE as a partner with Vertex Solution were one of the many companies that made a submission to the government.

RYAN AEROSPACE developed a modular and reconfigurable flight training simulator that can be modified to represent several different fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Coupled with a learning management system, the simulators allow a change of instruction from a teacher-centered model to more of a learner-centered training model.

“This is another example of the way the defence industry in Queensland, and across Australia, is showcasing Australian innovation and ingenuity on the world stage,” Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said.

Students can teach themselves

Students (with the help of a virtual instructor) can virtually teach themselves many of the desired learning outcomes. The system is supported by an after-action review software package that automatically assesses, grades, and logs the student’s performance.

Major General Wills, 19th Air Force Commander, said: “It’s not because the VR puts magic in your head, it’s because the student has put hours and hours of practice into a very realistic training situation. It’s not that we want to cut those hours, but If I can have you solo by ride four (10 rides sooner than normal) imagine what I can you do between rides four and 44."

Around 180 of the systems have already been delivered and installed ahead of schedule and the US Air Force Aviators have commenced training. It is expected that the final simulators will be delivered and installed in early 2022.

In 2019, RYAN AEROSPACE was awarded a contract to supply more than 30 HELIMOD Mark III helicopter simulators for the US Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama.