Virtual F-18 Air Combat

The Experience

In the F-18 flight combat center you can climb into a full scale F-18 training pod, put on a real fighter pilot’s helmet, and fly simulated air combat missions. This is the only Air Combat Center in the world with 8 flight simulators, 4 of which can be networked together so you can outduel your friends to become Top Gun.

To succeed, you will have to engage your mind and well as your reflexes. You’re not just piloting a pleasure craft. During the briefing sessions you will learn how to drop flares and pull power banks to avoid heat seeking missiles as well as recognize the different audio signals such as incoming missiles and low fuel indicators. Trainers will instruct you on how to recognize other players on your radar scope and to acquire targets on your heads up display.

You can fight in the air, take off, land, choose from a night or day mission, fly to or from a runway or aircraft carrier. Everything in the plane works… the flaps work, the landing gear works, the throttle works. It’s as close to flying the real thing as you can get.

The V-17 Air Combat Center includes:

• Pilots Lounge: Pilots enjoy leisure time
• Ready Room (mission briefing): Learn basic air combat maneuvers, energy conservation and radar/weapons delivery methods. Be briefed on your upcoming mission.
• Familiarization and skills development: Apply lessons learned in the Ready Room and develop skills necessary to operate a high performance jet fighter. Practice basic air combat maneuvers and get used to the controls.
• Combat Information Center (CIC) located in an Air Traffic Control Tower an active control center where all information about the “ongoing” campaign is viewed in real time. It is in the CIC room that all simulation and communications is controlled as part of space-age 21st century cutting-edge technology.
• Flight Deck (simulation room): All training is completed. Get ready for the ultimate test at the controls of a $35 million combat jet!

Event Overview

• Public sessions are available. Individuals receive a 10 minute briefing/computer training prior to 15 min cockpit time.
• Up to 32 people can fly in teams of 4 with each person experiencing at least 15 minutes in the cockpit.
• The entire group receives a complete ½ hour training/briefing during the 1 ½ hour encounter.
• Flight suits and real pilot’s helmets can be provided to corporate groups. Hours of Operation.