Training for the crash

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tabitha Dupas
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. --  As you board an aircraft, a malfunction in the air may be buried in the back of your mind. Ask yourself, what would you do if it happened?

You start experiencing turbulence, the oxygen mask drops from the overhead compartment; the time has come for you to decide how to survive. Are you going to take your chances going down with the plane or will you grab a parachute and take the leap of faith?

For 403rd Operations Group aircrew members, parachute training is required on an annual basis and now it can be done without leaving the ground.

"The Virtual Reality Parachute Simulator is a machine that gives actual functionality of the fundamentals when using a parachute," said Master Sgt. Ray Reynolds, 403rd Aircrew Flight Equipment supervisor. "It allows the person jumping to practice the survival steps from aircraft to ground and depending on the scenario, correct any malfunctions."

The harness, helmet, steering and all gear are identical to what is used with an actual parachute. The operator of the simulator can enter in different scenarios to give a variety of landing zones from different altitudes.

"It is the closest thing to jumping from an aircraft without actually doing it," said Tech. Sgt. Bill Hollowell, 403rd AFE quality assurance. "The helmet display can show wooded areas, electrical lines, even an aircraft carrier for landing. The trainees can use the cords to help steer themselves safely to the simulated parachute landing fall [landing zone] and avoid bad landing zones."

Before being hooked up to the simulator, aircrew members go through a class led by Tech. Sgt. Wesley Bonin, 403rd Operations Group survival, evasion, resistance, and escape instructor, to learn how to jump and what to do for possible malfunctions.

During his class, he teaches aircrew members what steps to use. These steps are in place to prevent injuries as much as possible. The main key is survival.

When the class is over, aircrew members have the opportunity to experience the VRPS. Along with it being a closely simulated experience, it is also a way for the Air Force to save money.

According to Sergeant Hollowell, having the simulator is only a fraction of the cost if the training had to be done from the air.

The goal of the VRPS is to provide the annual training necessary to ensure aircrew members are ready for all situations while saving money associated with fuel, manpower, flight status for members, aircraft maintenance, and airfield operations.

You never know when an aircraft malfunction will occur, said Sergeant Reynolds. "It gives each aircrew member an individual chance to practice their parachuting skills and build their confidence."