NATO MRTT fleet: NSPA marks progress of Full Mission Simulator Project

The LoI resides within the Military Approved Training Organisation (MATO) of the RNLAF AMC.

This milestone marks the provision of the required training to the MMU in compliance with the Dutch Military Aviation Regulations under the accountability of the MATO of AMC. Additionally, the signing of this LoI creates synergies between both organisations and avoids duplication of functions and facilities.

This is a further milestone within the Full Mission Simulator Project led by NSPA’s MRTT Programme. The project includes the acquisition of training simulators for pilot and air refuelling operators of the MMU, the refurbishment of existing buildings to accommodate the simulators and training organisation and the set-up and implementation of an approved training organisation.

Bart Hummel, NSPA MRTT Project Manager, stated that this milestone marks the starting point to define the integration of MMU training in the MATO of AMC in accordance with: the (Dutch) Military Airworthiness Regulations, the respective future roles and responsibilities between AMC, MMU and NSPA, the required MATO and Flight Simulation Training Devices organisations and resources, and the agreement(s) needed to implement the solution.

The availability of a Full Mission Simulator in the Netherlands, in close proximity of the Eindhoven Air Force Base, will provide MRTT SP nations with more flexibility in scheduling of initial and recurring training for both pilots and Aerial refuelling Operators (AROs), while saving the cost and time of traveling to the ADS simulator in Sevilla, Spain. Moreover, the requirement will also save MRTT flight hours dedicated specifically to keep flight crews current.