Training System for Canadian CC150T Polaris Tanker Aircraft

Airbus has selected AC&S to develop and provide a comprehensive training solution for the Canadian
CC150T Polaris tanker aircraft.

This aircraft is the Canadian version of the German Airbus A310 MRTT (Multi Role Transport Tanker). The Canadian Forces will operate two of these Tanker aircraft at 8 Wing CFB Trenton, Ontario, and they will be introduced into service in mid-2008 after receiving their mission avionics retrofit.

The contracted training system consists of Computer Based Training (CBT) lessons and an Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) procedure trainer which will cover all the theoretical and practical training aspects of Tanker operation during AAR missions. The Canadian solution will be based on the training media developed by AC&S for the German Air Force, but customized to the Canadian-specific aircraft configuration and enhanced by a complex procedure trainer.

The total training solution consists of three packages:

The theoretical training for the basic Canadian A310 aircraft is covered by 20 CBT lessons, using state-of-the-art multimedia technology such as interactive system emulations and 3D animations.


Over 30 tanker-specific CBT lessons, requiring approximately 25 hours of study, cover the introduction to NATO AAR procedures as well as the functions and operation of the AAR systems, the military mission avionics and the AAR Mission Computer System.

An overall Learning Management System supports all administrative functions to monitor the students and to manage the course content, including progress monitoring, assessment and statistics.

The AAR procedure trainer “AARTRAX” allows aircrews to operate the Tanker in a virtual AAR scenario. AARTRAX is an AC&S own development which allows familiarization, initial and refresher training for A310 tanker crews. All tasks necessary to plan, conduct and evaluate all various kinds of AAR missions can be trained using the AARTRAX. Procedural training results in considerable cost savings as expensive airborne training can be reduced to a minimum.
The training system will be delivered in several stages until April 2009; however the system can already be used for operational training after the installation of the first phase, which will be in time for the introduction to service of the Tanker aircraft in mid-2008.