Naval aviation's use of simulators in the operational training environment: a cost analysis perspective

Abstract

The basic objective of this thesis is to identify potential financial savings in operational flight training. There are seventeen communities listed in the Commander U.S. Naval Air Forces Pacific Fleet (CNAP) and Commander U.S. Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet ( CNAL) Squadron Training Matrices (TRM). The F/ A-18, SH-60B, and the P-3C communities were chosen for this thesis as representative of a valid cross section of Naval Aviation. Each community's advanced qualifications were studied to determine the effectiveness and quality of training received in the simulator. Research data were obtained through: government publications, professional materials, previous theses, books, articles and personal interviews with cognizant personnel in Aviation Manpower & Training (N889F), Wing Training & Readiness Offices, CNAP/CNAL Readiness Officers, and Wing Simulator Officers. The flight hour cost savings from moving the identified qualifications to the simulator were compared to the additional simulator operating costs. The basic conclusion of this thesis is that there are significant financial savings from moving certain identified TRM qualifications to the simulator, with little or no degradation in training or safety. Therefore, moving these qualifications will reduce costs without significantly impacting operational readiness.