CAE simulators prepare RCAF aircrew for Mali mission

Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircrew deploying to the United Nations Task Force in Mali were able to virtually experience the West African country on CAE simulators before they embarked on the mission.

According to the company, RCAF CH-147F aircrew from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron at Petawawa, CH-146 aircrew from 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Edmonton and CC-130J aircrew from 8 Wing Trenton, all prepared for the mission in CAE-built full-mission simulators.

CAE developed a high-fidelity virtual database of Mali based on the Open Geospatial Consortium Common Database to be used in the CH-147F Chinook and CC-130J Hercules simulators and a generic database of the Mali area for use in the CH-146 Griffon simulator.

The company also created highly-detailed and realistic virtual operational training areas. Instructors from CAE then worked closely with RCAF personnel to create lesson plans so aircrew could rehearse a range of missions, including aeromedical evacuation, in the virtual world.

Joe Armstrong, VP and general manager, CAE Canada, said: ‘Simulation is an ideal tool for pre-deployment operation and mission rehearsal training because it gives aircrews the opportunity to safely and cost-effectively prepare for real-world operations in a virtual environment.

‘CAE is the RCAF’s training partner on all the aircraft platforms involved in task force Mali, and we bring a great deal of experience and expertise as a training systems integrator in being able to help the RCAF leverage its simulation-based training enterprise to support its operational missions.'