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C-130 MMCT program arrives at 179th AW
November 1, 2014 (by
TSgt. Joseph Harwood) -
The 179th Airlift Wing is taking a new approach to the runway, with the arrival of a virtual training experience. On Oct. 28, 2014, members of the 164th Airlift Squadron took the first step into this new era with the arrival of the Multi Mission Crew Trainer (MMCT).
The MMCT is a high-fidelity, non-motion, C-130 flight simulator that will support pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer training in a full spectrum of flight operations.
“Innovation and leadership in aviation is part of our Ohio heritage, and so being on the leading edge of fielding this new technology seems like a natural fit for us,” said Col. Mark ‘Kahuna’ Auer, commander of the 179th Operations Group. “This new technology will be used to train not only aircrew, it will also be used by our firefighters and engine run/taxi crew chiefs, all wing personnel who have to be familiar with engine shutdown and aircraft operating procedures.”
The MMCT comes to Mansfield from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, home of the 502nd Trainer Development Squadron and the Air Education Training Command (AETC). The MMCT delivered is the first of six currently in production for the ANG. The 164th AS flew the three pallets of subcomponents and assembly materials back from Texas in one of their C-130H2 Hercules. An advance echelon team, or ADVON, comprised of three members from the 502nd, deployed to Mansfield to assemble the device and coordinate the upcoming software installation.
Upon arrival, a 25k loader was used to unload the three pallets containing the MMCT and safely transferred them to the 179th Operations Group, where they were assembled in their newly repurposed simulator room. In just two days, the ADVON team had the MMCT fully assembled and powered up. Software programming by QuantaDyn, an experienced provider of Department of Defense (DOD) simulation software, is scheduled to begin Nov. 5, 2014.
Lt. Col. Jeff Capretto was part of the aircrew to deliver the MMCT, “We’re excited to bring this technology to Mansfield. This is going to further prepare our aircrew by presenting them with a broader range of training scenarios. This is a huge opportunity for us to enhance our skills as individual aircrew members and as a unit.”
The MMCT is a full-scale replica of the C-130H2 cockpit, excluding the navigator station, which will be added shortly. It provides pilot, copilot and flight engineer training systems that are fully populated with touch-screen switches, knobs and displays.
The MMCT creates a full suite of emulated, stimulated and virtual scenarios in various environments. With features like actual geo-specific visual databases and home field inserts, pilots can virtually take off and land on the Mansfield runway or practically anywhere else in the world. The training system allows users to experience various simulation environments while allowing full instructor oversight and scenario control. The instructor can apply random or configurable scenario changes and leverage replay capability to conduct robust mission debriefs.
The MMCT, when fully operational, will act as a low-cost, squadron-level trainer that allows for advanced mission rehearsal, threat awareness training, aircraft system refreshers, emergency procedure and crew resource management training.
As the first in the ANG to stand up this innovative training program, the 179th Airlift Wing is proud to pave the way for the next generation of highly-motivated and trained professionals that it already has a history of producing.
The 179th AW received the first Multi-Mission Crew Trainer (MMCT) delivered to the ANG on October 28, 2014, in Mansfield, Ohio. The MMCT is a virtual flight simulation program for training on the C-130H Hercules. [ANG photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Harwood]
“Innovation and leadership in aviation is part of our Ohio heritage, and so being on the leading edge of fielding this new technology seems like a natural fit for us,” said Col. Mark ‘Kahuna’ Auer, commander of the 179th Operations Group. “This new technology will be used to train not only aircrew, it will also be used by our firefighters and engine run/taxi crew chiefs, all wing personnel who have to be familiar with engine shutdown and aircraft operating procedures.”
The MMCT comes to Mansfield from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, home of the 502nd Trainer Development Squadron and the Air Education Training Command (AETC). The MMCT delivered is the first of six currently in production for the ANG. The 164th AS flew the three pallets of subcomponents and assembly materials back from Texas in one of their C-130H2 Hercules. An advance echelon team, or ADVON, comprised of three members from the 502nd, deployed to Mansfield to assemble the device and coordinate the upcoming software installation.
Upon arrival, a 25k loader was used to unload the three pallets containing the MMCT and safely transferred them to the 179th Operations Group, where they were assembled in their newly repurposed simulator room. In just two days, the ADVON team had the MMCT fully assembled and powered up. Software programming by QuantaDyn, an experienced provider of Department of Defense (DOD) simulation software, is scheduled to begin Nov. 5, 2014.
Lt. Col. Jeff Capretto was part of the aircrew to deliver the MMCT, “We’re excited to bring this technology to Mansfield. This is going to further prepare our aircrew by presenting them with a broader range of training scenarios. This is a huge opportunity for us to enhance our skills as individual aircrew members and as a unit.”
The MMCT is a full-scale replica of the C-130H2 cockpit, excluding the navigator station, which will be added shortly. It provides pilot, copilot and flight engineer training systems that are fully populated with touch-screen switches, knobs and displays.
The MMCT creates a full suite of emulated, stimulated and virtual scenarios in various environments. With features like actual geo-specific visual databases and home field inserts, pilots can virtually take off and land on the Mansfield runway or practically anywhere else in the world. The training system allows users to experience various simulation environments while allowing full instructor oversight and scenario control. The instructor can apply random or configurable scenario changes and leverage replay capability to conduct robust mission debriefs.
The MMCT, when fully operational, will act as a low-cost, squadron-level trainer that allows for advanced mission rehearsal, threat awareness training, aircraft system refreshers, emergency procedure and crew resource management training.
As the first in the ANG to stand up this innovative training program, the 179th Airlift Wing is proud to pave the way for the next generation of highly-motivated and trained professionals that it already has a history of producing.
Courtesy of 179th Airlift Wing
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Additional images:
Amn John Ningard operates the 25k loader to remove three pallets off of a C-130H Hercules. The 179th AW received the first MMCT delivered to the ANG on October 28, 2014, in Mansfield, Ohio. The MMCT is a virtual flight simulation program for training on the C-130H Hercules. [ANG photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Harwood]