# NAF A-29 Super Tucano pilots are using simulators for training

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2022/02/naf-a-29-super-tucano-pilots-are-using-simulators-for-training/
- Published: 2022-02-21T09:14:00+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano pilots will now be training, in part, using
a highly sophisticated and realistic flight simulator.

The United States has supplied A-29 Super Tucano full flight simulator to the Nigerian
Air Force (NAF) as part of the $500 million deal for the aircraft.

The [A-29 Super Tucano](https://www.military.africa/2021/04/nigerian-air-force-a-29-super-tucano-all-you-need-to-know)
is a multi-role, fixed-wing aircraft that provides the Nigerian air force with an
indigenous counter-insurgency, ISR, and close air support capability.

Developed by Embraer, the A-29 Super Tucano full flight simulator will be integrated
into a realistic environment for a networked, collaborative air-land training regimen
for the Nigerian Air Force airmen.

> [Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano: All you need to know](https://www.military.africa/2021/04/nigerian-air-force-a-29-super-tucano-all-you-need-to-know/)

A full-flight simulator (FFS) is a highly technical level flight simulator. There
are currently four levels of full flight simulator, levels A – D, level D being 
the highest standard.

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The full flight simulator is a part of the $500 million U.S. foreign military sale
to Nigeria, which also includes the delivery of the 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft,
munitions, and world-class training.

Last week Tuesday, 15 February, United States Ambassador, Beth Leonard, and a brigadier
general in the U.S. Army, Thomas Tickner, visited the NAF airBase in Kainji, Niger
State, to break ground on the final phase of the $38 million construction project
for the A-29 Super Tucanos’ support facilities which included the flight simulator
annex.

They were joined by the Deputy Director for the Air Force Security Assistance and
Cooperation Directorate, Ronald Taylor, and senior officers of the Nigerian Air 
Force (NAF).

> [US starts final phase construction of Nigeria’s A-29 Super Tucano support facility](https://www.military.africa/2022/02/us-starts-final-phase-construction-of-nigerias-a-29-super-tucano-support-facility/)

Kainji, around 100 km (60 miles) from the border with Benin is a major hub for the
Nigerian Air Force A-29 operations and is presently home to the 407 Air Combat Training
Group.

“The construction site will be the location of several critical facilities, including
sunshades to house the A-29 Super Tucanos, munitions assembly and storage areas,
and an annex for the A-29 flight simulator,” said a statement on Wednesday from 
the U.S. mission in Nigeria.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) North Atlantic Division is overseeing 
the construction of this necessary infrastructure for the operation and maintenance
of the A-29 Super Tucanos and their accompanying munitions.”

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The USAF’s 81st Fighter Squadron (81st FS) has provided pilot, maintenance and armament
technician training to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at Moody AFB in Georgia.

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The new flight simulator will provide a cost-effective way for NAF pilots to practice
combat missions. With simulator training, they can now refine their skills in a 
variety of different flight scenarios that can be tailored to their specific goals.

The simulator cost of a fixed wing FTD is largely dependent on a customer’s configuration
and options chosen. A FTDs generally start at around $300,000 for a piston aircraft
and $700,000 for a turboprop or jet aircraft.

Training with an FFS usually includes all aspects of operating the A-29 including,
but not limited to: ground operations, start-taxi-take offs, landings, formation
flying, weapons employment, threat reactions, air-to-air refueling, and other critical
capabilities.

The ability to carry out this kind of training with a high degree of realism on 
the ground is especially important for the NAF, as it enhances training while also
reducing strain on the aircraft as well as being cost-effective.

The Nigerian Navy on its part [recently signed an agreement with Caverton Aviation Training Center](https://www.military.africa/2021/12/nigerian-navy-launch-customer-for-caverton-aviation-aw139-full-flight-simulator)
to acquire several AW139 full flight simulators for pilot training.

> [Nigerian Navy launch customer for Caverton Aviation AW139 Full Flight Simulator](https://www.military.africa/2021/12/nigerian-navy-launch-customer-for-caverton-aviation-aw139-full-flight-simulator/)

Caverton has been qualified by EASA as an official full-flight simulator operator,
using the Thales Level D, Reality H full-flight simulator product for the AW139 
helicopter.

Caverton has also successfully carried out recurrent training for 4 pilots and is
planning for additional training in the first quarter of 2022.




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