Originally Posted by
TonyC
....The ARPTT was built when standard simulators could not replicate the task. Today, the full-motion simulators with life-like visuals are up to the task. The task of air refueling is still taught in the same way, just in a different device.
It's been coming up on 3 years since I retired, but the BUFF WST was not sim certed for AR, even with the upgraded visuals that were added circa 2010. Although FOV was expanded, no visuals were added to support the #6 (eyebrow) window.
Originally Posted by
TonyC
...The answer is that the task is not so dadgum easy in a heavy...
Agreed
Originally Posted by
TonyC
... and if you put a brand new pilot in the seat with no prior simulator training, he might never get the first contact.
Yup, seen it happen in a few cases, although most BUFF co-pilots get exposure to AR before upgrading. At one point, AC's could be checked out to supervise their co-pilot during AR, including contacts. IIRC, they did away with that at some point and co-pilot AR can now only be supervised by an instructor.
Originally Posted by
TonyC
...That's the same reason you train landings in the sim before you train them in the jet...
Of definite value with a Class D simulator, much less so in the B-52 WST (I'm referring to the old visuals). The WST was never sim certed for landings before the visuals were upgraded, and for a good reason IMO. I do not know if they sim certed it for landings with new visuals.