Autonomous Practice Cockpit of Vietnamase People's Air Force

08 September 2021

The BTD-Mi8 training room was researched, designed and manufactured by the Air Force-Air Defense Technical Institute (photo : QDND)

QDND - Over the past years, the Air Defense-Air Force (PK-KQ) has actively researched and invested in the manufacture of aircraft cockpits in order to gradually become autonomous in research and production of weapons, equipment and facilities in water, contributing to improving the skills and technical manipulation of pilots during training for all types of aircraft on the payroll.

Currently, most airlines in the country as well as in the world organize training, training and periodical testing of pilots through the cockpit, greatly reducing time, costs, improving effective pilot training, especially beginner or transitional pilots. The Air Force PK-KQ is exploiting and using many different types of aircraft cockpits. Some cockpits are imported from abroad with very expensive prices and it is difficult to proactively secure materials in the process of exploitation and use.

Colonel Pham Thanh Giang, Director of the PK-KQ Technical Institute (PK-KQ Army) said: "In the 90s of the 20th century, the PK-KQ Technical Institute researched and successfully manufactured the cockpit. MiG-21 aircraft. Recently, the institute continues to research, develop, and apply many new simulation techniques to create cockpits for aircraft. moving racks; spherical flight space simulation technique, in which, the moving rack is made by a new technology combining electro-pneumatics with 6 degrees of freedom allowing relatively accurate simulation of force sensation for pilots during flight training in the cockpit”.

Regiment 929 (Division 372, Air Force Air Force) has been equipped with the Brigade-22M4 cockpit. This cockpit simulates tactical and technical features: Take-off and landing with three-dimensional images in real time; solo flight, squadron flight, squadron take-off and terrain flight; fly by the clock and fly by route with radio-guided devices; flying using the RLPK-54 aiming and guiding system and the CAY-22M2 autopilot system; handle contingencies in the air. The BDC-22M4 training room can train pilots to fly in simple and complex meteorological conditions and fly according to the clock over the entire range of speeds and altitudes allowed by the Su-22M4, including the post squadron flight and combat application. 

Battalion-Mi8 training room has been used at Regiment 930 (Division 372) since October 2020. This cockpit can be used to conduct training courses for pilots, simulation systems work well with 35 contingencies according to the pilot's manual, flight space using digital maps with images. Clear image, hemispherical design screen with many high-definition projectors to help simulate space images close to reality, flight commanders check aircraft status during the entire flight. 

Colonel Le Kim Trong (Department of Flight Inspection and Safety, General Staff, Air Force Air Force) after directly testing with the BTD-Mi8 cockpit, assessed: "The simulation system creates a sense of force. help pilots feel like they're using a real plane, when the plane tilts, tilts, and turns during maneuvers, and at the same time feels the vertical acceleration when taking off and landing. can reach 80-85% compared to flying in a real plane".

From the beginning of March to the middle of April 2021, Army Corps 18 coordinated with the General Staff of the Air Force PK-KQ and the 930th Regiment to use the Battalion-Mi8 to fly periodically for some of the unit's pilots. do not have to send pilots abroad to perform these flight contents as before. Lieutenant Colonel Pham Xuan Dong, Technical Director of the 930th Regiment said: "The training room of the BDT-Mi8 has used nearly 200 hours of training flight to ensure stable features, technical parameters, and good operation. meet the technical and tactical requirements, contributing to improving the quality of the regiment's pilot training".

According to Colonel Pham Thanh Giang, the dynamic cockpit meets tactical and technical criteria that have been tested and accepted according to regulations and approved by the Ministry of National Defense. At this point, the PK-KQ Technical Institute continues to research, produce and manufacture training rooms for air force units, especially for newly equipped aircraft.

(QDND)