ASU AFROTC Receives Flight Simulator

SAN ANGELO, TX - Cadets in Angelo State University’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 can experience being an Air Force pilot with the new HotSeat Pilot Pro 4 flight simulator, said a recent press release.

The $16,000 simulator provides an “in-the-cockpit” experience designed to immerse students in topographically and geographically correct display graphics, surround sound, cockpit displays with navigation instruments and communications radios, tutored missions, more than 150 aircraft simulations and various other gadgets.

For ASU cadets, the simulator will help them prepare for the Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS), a computerized psychomotor, special ability and multi-tasking test battery, as well as the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT). The TBAS and AFOQT factor in with a cadet’s composite and flying hours to generate a Pilot Candidate Selection Method score, which determines the candidates selected for pilot training for regular aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).

Efforts to bring the simulator to ASU were spearheaded by Capt. Jacob Glantz, associate professor of aerospace studies. In addition to being a valuable learning tool and potentially increasing the Air Force pilot training selection rate for ASU cadets, the new simulator could also be valuable in recruiting future cadets to the ASU detachment.

Lt. Col. Scott Partin, ASU detachment commander, said, “I would just like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Capt. Glantz for taking the initiative to make this happen. With this simulator in place, we will make significant contributions to succeeding at our USAF mission to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace well into the future.”

Currently, ASU cadets must pay for their own flying lessons at San Angelo’s Mathis Field Airport at a cost of $180 per hour with an instructor. By utilizing the new simulator, cadets will be able to accumulate flight training hours at no cost and without the safety risks of actual flying. The simulator’s tutored missions will also train cadets in a wide variety of situations and scenarios, some of which are not normally components of regular flying lessons.

“I think it will be a great opportunity to educate cadets interested in pursuing a career in aviation,” ASU cadet Casey Lockett said, “and for them to learn the basic functions of an aircraft.”

The HotSeat Pilot Pro 4 simulator incorporates Prepar3D software by Lockheed Martin, Flight Sim X software, 28-inch high-definition monitors, a six-speaker Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound system, and a HOTAS stick and throttle system.