Airmen at Hickam AFB, Hawaii are using a new kind of simulator designed to prepare them for emergency egress situations—when they must eject from their aircraft and use their parachute to land. Called Parasim, the simulator uses new computer programs and virtual reality goggles to allow trainees to practice jumps and perfect parachute procedures. First Lt. John Brantuck II, a pilot with the 535th Airlift Squadron, said: “It gets your mind oriented on the checklist you need to do. When you are in that kind of situation you are not going to be naturally inclined to do the right thing.”
As L3Harris proves its OA-1K Skyraider II special operations aircraft can carry a signals intelligence sensor and electronic attack weapon, a key congressional committee is poised to boost production of the converted Air Tractor prop plane.