Forum: General F-35 Forum

Hello all, I was curious since the F-35 is a single seater without any 2nd seat configuration available ( atleast as far as i know?) is all training done on advance jet trainers and simulator time? it seems like the F-35's are a fairly advanced and expensive jump from anything else we (Canada) currently fly or train on.Is this a common practice?

im not nearly as knowledgable about aircraft as many of you on this board so please bear with the ignorance of my question if it seems overly simplistic.

thanks.

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Always worthwhile to have a look around the forum first... but anyway:

F-35 students to train on T-38, F-16s (Then New Trainers)

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-15060.html
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Then there are two sources (elsewhere on this forum) indicating that F-35 SIM time will be about 50% of training flight time...

QUOTES about 50% F-35 pilot training time will be in simulators:

USAF: [Feb 2011]
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=5469848

“...[USAF Secretary Michael Donley] also said the service would buy 16 F-35 simulators, which, among other things, will save fuel. "In the Joint Strike Fighter program, it is forecast that up to 50 percent of pilot training will be accomplished through simulators," he said.”
&
RAF: [Dec 2010]
http://www.raf.mod.uk/no1group/news/ind ... 2ECF37C3F5

"...Interestingly the JCA Force is planned to achieve a 50:50 live fly / simulator balance, meaning half a pilot’s training will be in simulators. This is a major advance from the training provided on older aircraft, so a large part of the team’s work goes into ensuring the UK is equipped to achieve this. Not only will Full Mission Simulators be situated at the MOB but Deployable Mission Rehearsal Trainers will allow simulator work to be continued wherever the JCA Force is deployed."
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Another thread:

USAF More F-35 'trainers' fewer aircraft in 2012 Budget

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-15001.html

In Canada initally all the F-35 pilots are going to be experienced F-18 guys. Eventually when the F-18's are retired new pilots will fly the BAE Hawk trainers before transitioning to the F-35. From what I have read the F-35 is an easy airplane to fly and very well mannered. So the F-35 simulators are going to be used in order to get the pilots use to all the new systems, avonics, and switch locations. If you compare the old F-4 cockpits to the new F-35 cockpit you begin to understand how mcuh easier the F-35 is to fly.

ahh, thanks for the info guys muchly appreciated.

Forum: General F-35 Forum

F-35 all sim training?