A simulator built by Lockheed Martin will train Navy pilots on the new F-35C joint strike fighter.Sim-based JSF training to debut next yearBy Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Monday May 17, 2010 6:00:23 EDT
The Navy may not receive its first F-35C Lightning II joint strike fighter until 2012, but a simulation-based training program will be ready for the first pilots who arrive at the training wing next year.
The Navy plans to begin sending pilots in early 2011 to the training squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Lockheed Martin, which makes the F-35, is developing the training program for the first cadre of experienced pilots, who will in turn train a broader group of Navy pilots.
The F-35C community will be limited to experienced pilots — mostly those with at least 1,000 flight hours — who are coming from the F/A-18 Hornet community, for at least two years, said Joanne Puglisi, Lockheed’s director of training for the F-35. The F-35C is the carrier variant of the tri-service program.
After that, the Navy could begin to ship pilots fresh out of flight school to the F-35C training wing, Puglisi said.
“We need those high-time transition guys to make sure that the things we’re training will be validated by the young kids,” Puglisi said.
unhappycamper comment: I would imagine experienced F/A-18 drivers are gonna be pissed when they climb into this $243 million dollar POS.