92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
2/19/2015 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Regardless of tight budgets and limited training flights, Airmen must be able to develop critical skillsets in order for the Air Force to accomplish its missions. One way to do this is by using computer-based technology to create virtual training scenarios. Aerial refueling boom operators around the Air Force have one such platform - the Boom Operator Weapon System Trainer.
The BOWST is a simulator that educates Airman on air refueling aircraft boom operations. This training not only helps save the Air Force $35 million annually, it also provides boom operators the opportunity to practice emergency procedures without risking damage to aircraft.
Boom operators are able to continue their training and stay proficient throughout their careers with the BOWST, which features numerous settings to make refueling simulation as realistic as possible. The BOWST can simulate the refueling of an array of aircraft in a variety of weather conditions.
"We can simulate all kinds of weather scenarios and even turbulence, which is really important for us," said Staff Sgt. Michael Weidman, 92nd Operations Support instructor boom operator. "It can also simulate various cloud decks."
With the BOWST, Airmen are able to practice refueling operations on all Air Force planes, some U.S. Navy and Marine jets, such as the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier, as well as coalition and NATO nation aircraft, Weidman said.
Refueling an aircraft can take from a minimum of about five minutes to upwards of more than 30 minutes, and a KC-135 can transfer as much as 30,000 gallons of fuel in one flight.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment