MiG 29K simulator commissioned

A state-of-the-art cockpit simulator of MiG 29K fighter aircraft was commissioned at the Southern Naval Command, the force’s training command, on Wednesday.

Chief of the Command Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba set the simulator to work at the Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology (NIAT).

The simulator, which offers a real-life flying experience on the fourth generation Russian-origin naval combat plane, would be used to train budding naval pilots, aircrew and maintenance personnel on the dynamics of cockpit operation from a maintenance point of view. “Such a simulator is a real boon, as it exposes the maintenance crew to the technical characteristics and behaviour of the cockpit in different flying conditions which they would not get otherwise,” said a naval officer. “Further, it would familiarise ab initio flyers to the technical aspects of cockpit operations.”

This is the second MiG 29K simulator of the Navy. The first was commissioned two years ago at naval air station INS Hansa in Goa — home to the ‘Black Panther’ squadron comprising MiG 29K fighters.

The facility, set up as part of the MiG 29K aircraft contract, would provide a platform for smooth transition of air crew and maintenance personnel from training environment to actual maintenance and operation scenario, said a defence statement. It would be used to impart real-time training to air crew and technical personnel on all systems of the aircraft. 

thehindu