The German Air Force (GAF) has taken delivery of a Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for the A400M aircraft provided by Airbus Defence and Space.The training device entered service at Wunstorf Air Base, where the GAF A400M fleet will be based, on 8 January and will be used to train about 60 GAF crews in its first three years in operation. Developed by Airbus Defence and Space and manufactured by Thales, it is a full replica of the A400M cockpit.As provider of a wide scope of training products and services to air forces, Airbus Defence and Space will deliver to the GAF additional training devices consisting of: a Flat Panel – Flat Training Device (FP–FTD), which is a cockpit partial simulator to train pilots prior to the FFS training; a Cargo Hold Trainer (CHT), which is a full 1:1 scale replica of the A400M cargo hold used to train loadmasters with real loading and unloading tasks as well as to train parachutists; and a Cockpit Maintenance Operations Simulator (CMOS) which replicates the aircraft in 3D images and provides maintenance procedure simulations. These training devices are due for delivery by mid-2015.Ian Burrett, HO Training & Aircrew Operations, Military Aircraft, said: "The delivery of this FFS is an important step in creating the GAF´s own A400M training programme and as part of the overall support infrastructure that will sustain the A400M in service for many years to come".The GAF took delivery of its first A400M on 18th December 2014. Airbus Military SL (AMSL) has selected Thales as the A400M Full Flight Simulator (FFS) Design Authority through the signing of a formal agreement. GTD as a partner to AMSL will actively participate in the development of the mission capable simulator for the A400M European military-transport aircraft.Within the program for developing the Full Flight Simulator (FFS) of the A400M, AIRBUS awarded to GTD the development of the Military Software Package (MiISwP) related to ATA23 and ATA43 models, as well as, some ATA90 modules re-hosting.
