Simulators take over IAF training
Air Force finally implements necessary lessons learnt from tragic 1997 helicopter disaster, using flight simulators to train pilots for extreme situations, while battling pending budget cuts
On February 4, 1997 two Yasur helicopters en route to Lebanon collided in midair, in what is now known as the Israeli Air Force's greatest calamity ever. The helicopters were carrying weapons and soldiers to southern Lebanon at the time. For reasons which remain unknown till this day, one chopper flew too close to the other, which caused them both to go into a deadly tailspin ending in a fatal double crash.
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In those days the Air Force barely had experience training helicopter pilots with the help of simulators, a device that enables them to practice flying the craft to prepare for actual performance.
Looks real enough? (Photo: Yaron Brener)
One of the recommendations submitted by the Air Force's inquiry committee at the time was for the IAF to acquire an advanced simulator.
The IAF flight simulator (Photo: Yaron Brenner)
"Up until that disaster, flying course cadets had few experiences training on simulators abroad," an IAF official said. "During real training flights the pilots cannot simulate extreme situations such as engine troubles, tough weather conditions, flying at very low altitude or above enemy territory."
Training for extreme situations (Photo: Yaron Brener)
Now, every IAF pilot undergoes special simulations, from the most junior flying cadet all the way to IAF reserve airmen and even the Air Force commander himself.
Simulators are also cost-effective, it appears. "An hour flight in the simulator costs about $1,000 – about a quarter of the cost of a real helicopter flight," an IAF official explained.
Growing fears of security budget cuts have gotten the IAF worried about the impingement such cuts will have on its flights training. For example, the weekly training for every reserve pilot will be cut drastically, impacting the minimal fitness requirements.
"In 2011, the contract with the private training company included 11 flight hours a day, Sundays through Fridays, and this year we'll raise it by 25%. Its part of our answer to the cuts in real flight hours," IAF officials said.
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