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Rockwell Collins Virtual Avionics Procedure Trainer selected for Iraqi Coalition Force
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (October 07, 2009) - Rockwell Collins recently delivered its first Virtual Avionics Procedure Trainer (VAPT) to the U.S. Air Force, who will use
the device to train Iraqi Coalition Force pilots flying King Air aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
(ISR) missions.
"VAPT will enable Iraqi pilots to train on the latest avionics equipment in a classroom environment to better prepare them
for their flight missions," said Ken Schreder, vice president and general manager of Simulation & Training Solutions for Rockwell
Collins. "The VAPT is expected to reduce aircraft training time, and better prepare pilots for simulator training, which
will lower overall training costs and increase operational safety."
A team of Air Force and Navy Combat Air Advisors is providing pilot and mission system operator training to the Iraqi Air
Force on newly acquired King ISR aircraft. A challenge the advisors are facing is converting the Iraqi pilots' previous knowledge
of the older MiG jet technology to the state-of-the-art systems used on the King Air.
"During its first week of operation, the VAPT has been embraced by the pilots of Iraqi Air Force King Air Squadron 87," said
Captain Scott Seeberger, U.S. Navy - Commander, King Air 350 Military Training Team. "The squadron's senior qualified pilots
are already using the device to teach those junior to them on the complex operation of the aircraft flight management and
autoflight system."
Seeberger added, "Rockwell Collins did an outstanding job providing detailed instruction on the VAPT operation to U.S. Combat
Air Advisors and Iraqi King Air pilots."
The system is based on Rockwell Collins' advanced CORETM simulation architecture and features a modular, expandable and configurable
combination of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology, PC-based hardware and Rockwell Collins re-hosted avionics software.
This unique combination simplifies future upgrades, without expensive hardware modifications, and allows the VAPT to support
multiple aircraft platforms or software configurations.
The VAPT is a highly cost-effective solution that provides flight crews with training and mission preparation using new avionics
equipment.
To see a photo of the VAPT, please visit http://www.vocus.com/images/pr/rockwell_RCS-NR-01a_VAPT_7-049535.jpg
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic
solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission
communications, information management and simulation and training is delivered by nearly 20,000 employees, and a global service
and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.
Contact:
Pam Tvrdy-Cleary
319.295.0591
pjtvrdy@rockwellcollins.com
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