News

2023-08-10

Embraer’s KC-390 Simulator Redefines Training

Aerospace company Embraer marked a significant milestone recently by unveiling its first-ever flight simulator, the Full-Flight Simulator (FFS), for the KC-390 Millennium multi-mission jet.

The ceremony saw the presence of esteemed guests, including representatives from the Brazilian Air Force, Portuguese Air Force, and Rheinmetall, Germany.

With a D-level qualification, the flight simulator encompasses a wide range of features, such as normal and emergency operation conditions, comprehensive military operation support, and an impressive catalogue of over 350 failure simulations.

It is designed for easy maintenance and provides a comfortable environment for pilot training.

First Countries

Johann Bordais, President & CEO of Embraer Services & Support, said: “The new KC-390 flight simulator will meet the demand of current and future customers for basic and advanced pilot training, thus contributing to the safe and effective operation of the aircraft. Brazil, Portugal, and Hungary will be the first countries to use this equipment, which allows the safe practice of manoeuvres and emergency procedures, as well as other adverse flight conditions, with reduced costs and without risks to the operation.”

Mike Schmidt, CEO of Rheinmetall Aviation Services and Head of Dimension Air, affirmed: “Rheinmetall is proud to have been selected as the preferred partner of Embraer for the KC-390 transport aircraft training devices. This simulator will be the first of many training devices to support the safe and effective education and training of future KC-390 transport aircraft operators worldwide.”

In 2019, at Dubai Airshow, Embraer rebranded the KC-390 aircraft to C-390 Millennium. The former designation is used only by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).

C-390 Millennium

The C-390 is a cutting-edge military transport aircraft. It offers high productivity, operational flexibility, and low operating costs — a winning combination. With a payload capacity of 26 tonnes, it surpasses other medium-sized military cargo planes.

It achieves impressive speeds of 470 knots and can cover long distances. It excels in various missions like cargo and troop transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian operations. Additionally, it can operate on temporary or unpaved runways, including packed earth, soil, and gravel.

The aircraft has showcased its exceptional aerial refuelling capability in its refuelling version. It is capable of both providing and receiving fuel from another KC-390 using specially installed pods beneath its wings. This unique feature sets it apart as the sole aircraft in its segment to perform such operations.

The C-390 Millennium is undergoing a full military certification process built over a dual certification approach from the beginning. This hybrid process combines the efforts of both civil and military airworthiness authorities. This approach ensures the aircraft can safely accomplish all its military missions.

The aircraft’s basic platform is being developed and certified by the Brazilian Civil airworthiness authority in accordance with FAA 14 CFR Part 25 standards.

Multi-mission Capabilities

Its multi-mission capabilities enable it to operate in diverse and challenging environments, including semi-prepared and damaged runways. From the sweltering heat and humidity of the Amazon forest to the frigid temperatures of the Antarctic continent, the C-390 excels in extreme conditions.

Additionally, it performs exceptionally well in hot, sandy desert landscapes. The aircraft’s ability to navigate short, austere, semi-prepared, and damaged airfields makes it an invaluable asset for military airlift operations.

To prevent the entry of debris, the aircraft features engines positioned in a forward elevated manner. It possesses the capability to operate from challenging runways, even those meeting the most unfavourable conditions as defined by MIL-B-8866B.

For soft field operations, it can successfully perform 10 passes on an airfield with a California Bearing Ratio (CBR) 4 rating, which consists of loose fine sand or soft clay.

It exhibits exceptional ground manoeuvrability, enabling it to operate on airfields with limited parking or manoeuvring space and lacking ground facilities.

Since entering operation with Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB) in 2019, the C-390 has proven its capacity, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of five aircraft, all in the aerial refuelling version, designated KC-390, has already accumulated more than 8,900 flight hours.

Recent figures show an operational availability of around 80 per cent, with a mission completion rate above 99 per cent, demonstrating exceptional productivity in the category.

The C-390 Millennium has orders from Portugal and Hungary, both NATO member countries.

Comments () Views (7536 ) Print

Send To Friend