USS Carl Vinson gets new simulator

The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, has been equipped with a new air traffic control simulator, the US Navy announced on 23 March.

The simulator allows the ship’s air traffic controllers to immerse themselves in realistic Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) flight operations scenarios without the necessity of actual flight operations. It was installed during the ship's planned incremental availability period. The CATCC can use the simulator to improve air traffic control readiness and prepare crew for upcoming flight operations certifications.

Keith Thompson, Leading Chief Petty Officer, Chief Air Traffic Controller, CATCC, said: ‘Normally we don't have any flight operations we can simulate while we're in port. Now that we have this simulator, we can come here and simulate flight operations any given day.

‘Right now, with this new simulator, I can sit a new air traffic controller in front of the system and he can run simulators. That way, when we experience live [air] traffic, he'll be proficient because he's seen it, he's done it, and he's familiar with the phraseology we use during the real thing.’

Capt Karl Thomas, commanding officer, USS Carl Vinson, said: ‘This is one of the most impactful improvements in carrier air traffic control in a long time. Once this rolls out to the rest of the fleet, it will increase the amount of training, experience, and flexibility available to each of the Navy's carrier air traffic control teams.’

The ship is currently undergoing the chief of naval operations planned incremental availability period in preparation for future sea operations.