On November 1 Embraer and the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced that a training center for the C-390M transport aircraft is to be established at the Gilze-Rijen base of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) by the end of 2026. In a joint procurement with the Armed Forces the Netherlands has ordered five aircraft, while Austria will receive four transporters (-> Purchase fixed: Austrian Armed Forces procures Embraer C-390M).
The training center is to consist of a Full Flight Mission Simulator (FFMS) and a Cargo Handling Station Trainer (CHST), as already developed together with Rheinmetall Aviation Systems for Brazil (-> Rheinmetall & Embraer: First simulator for C-390M). Also planned is a computer-based (classroom) trainer, developed jointly with ETI.
“The C-390M training devices will enable the Royal Netherlands Air Force to prepare and train their missions in a highly realistic environment. Together with our partner Embraer, we are committed to providing the best training systems and services for the C-390M for years to come,” commented Stefan Klaes, Head of Sales Aviation Systems at Rheinmetall.
State-of-the-art visual display technology
Stefan Klaes has already asked Militär Aktuell about the Dubai Airshow 2023 (-> The highlights of the Dubai Airshow 2023) provided some views of what these systems look like. According to the description, the FFMS covers operation under normal and military emergency conditions and can therefore “require” crews to react to more than 350 malfunctions.
The CHST in turn offers crews and loadmasters (in standard operation, only two pilots and one loadmaster are required) and other users a comprehensive simulation of the loadmaster’s functional sequences, including an interior view of the cargo hold and an exterior view of the entire aircraft. All of this should make it possible to train effectively without actual flying hours, thereby increasing the availability of aircraft for missions and ultimately also reducing the environmental impact and noise pollution around the base of operations.
Another synergy noted by the RNLAF Material and IT Command is that these systems would be designed to be integrated into the simulators of other types relevant to the Dutch, such as the F-35 (-> Lockheed Martin: Netherlands increases F-35A order) and MA-9 will be able to be integrated.
Further locations possible
A separate simulation facility for the C-390M is reportedly not defined or omitted from the Austrian part of the contract. Although it is rumored that a combined location for the three Central European operators of the type (Hungary has already taken delivery of its first aircraft, Czech Republic has finalized the purchase and Sweden could soon join as a user). The domestic manufacturer AMST and the ARGE Sicherheit und Wirtschaft of the WKO are also mentioned. However, no further details are yet known. 
However, Rheinmetall Aviation already reported in June on talks with Embraer concerning such an expansion of the training network. In addition to the training center in Brazil, further such facilities are to be established in Europe to train crews for the growing C-390M fleet. Rheinmetall says that the result of such expanded cooperation could contribute to the growth of the network and support further future national C-390M FFMS – worldwide.
Here for more news about Embraer and here to further reports about Rheinmetall.
