FORNEY, Texas (Civil Air Patrol, Black Sheep Squadron. Written by SM Andrew McClellan) — While on final approach to New York’s LaGuardia Airport, the world outside the Bombardier Global Express business jet came to an instant halt. Acting as pilot in command, Cadet Airman 1st Class Ford used the pause in the action to receive coaching from Lt. Col. Richard Martin on how to make a smooth landing. A moment after the lesson was over, the airplane again continued its descent, under Ford's control, until touching down.
FORNEY, Texas (Civil Air Patrol, Black Sheep Squadron. Written by SM Andrew McClellan) — While on final approach to New York’s LaGuardia Airport, the world outside the Bombardier Global Express business jet came to an instant halt. Acting as pilot in command, Cadet Airman 1st Class Ford used the pause in the action to receive coaching from Lt. Col. Richard Martin on how to make a smooth landing. A moment after the lesson was over, the airplane again continued its descent, under Ford's control, until touching down.
It is difficult to make an airplane pause in space, but the training simulators at CAE Simuflite near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport make the impossible appear real. CAE Simuflite graciously invited cadets from the Mesquite, Texas-based Black Sheep Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol to experience the look, feel, and dynamics of a $55 million jet.
As one example of over fifty at the facility, the training simulator faithfully reproduces real-world scenarios a professional pilot may experience, using real-world controls, displays, and switchgear. The cockpit of the simulator can credit its authenticity to the fact that it was harvested from an actual Bombardier jet. The donor aircraft was damaged beyond repair, and while the wreckage was still being valued at $2.5 million, it was the source of the simulator's authentic cockpit controls.
Accompanied by Capt. Opal McKinney, 2nd Lt. Michael Shoaf, and SM Lee Wilson, seven Black Sheep Squadron cadets took turns as pilot in command of the business jet simulator.
After becoming familiar with the operation of the controls, Cadet Airman 1st Class Wilson faced snowy conditions and preferred a clear sky to navigate, while Cadet 2nd Lt. Hawthorne embraced the challenge of flying in low visibility conditions.
Lt. Col. Martin increased the intensity of training for Cadet 2nd Lt. Pruitt by introducing another jet, just seven hundred feet ahead and slightly above the horizon. Acting on the adage "try, try again," the simulator allowed Pruitt to evade the traffic on a second attempt after the first attempt resulted in a mid-air collision.
Cadet Airman Robinson enjoyed flying high and fast over the New York City area. After flying over the Rocky Mountains, Cadet Staff Sgt. Shoaf made a landing at the Denver International Airport. While Shoaf stalled the airplane just feet above the ground, the rough landing did not result in any damage. There is no word on whether the simulated revenue passengers requested refunds.
Cadet Airman 1st Class Habia preferred to test the Global Express’ off road credentials by coaxing the jet off the ground after taking off across a taxiway, across adjacent grass, and through two security fences.
The cadets enjoyed operating the simulator and, just like pilots that regularly train in the simulator, enjoyed the facility’s cappuccino machine. The Black Sheep Squadron of the Texas Wing would like to extend their gratitude to CAE Simuflite for the use of their facilities and to Lt. Col. Martin for facilitating the event.
Chartered in 1978, the TX-214 Black Sheep Composite Squadron operates from the Mesquite Metro Airport, Mesquite, Texas. For more information about the Squadron, visit http://www.captx214.org.
The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force and a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Civil Air Patrol supports America’s communities with emergency and disaster response, aviation and ground team services, youth development, and promotion of air and space power. More information about the Civil Air Patrol is available at http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com.
