C-5 Flight Simulation Facility, IDIQ West Virginia Air National Guard C-5 Base Conversion
Martinsburg, WV
West Virginia Air National Guard selected HSMM for a multi-disciplinary indefinite delivery contract to support the 167th Airlift Wing construction program at Martinsburg, West Virginia. The construction program involves the base conversion from C-130 to C-5 aircraft, the world’s largest planes. This is a one-year contract, with options to extend for four additional years; the second and third options have been exercised early.
C-5 Flight Simulation Facility
HSMM is designing a new 12,000-square-foot flight simulation facility to support a full-motion, visual training simulator for C-5 aircraft flight-crew training. This facility will support the 167th Air Wing’s initial conversion to 10 PAI C-5 aircraft. As the former C-130 planes were small and allowed for real-time pilot training in the air, the base’s conversion to the C-5 planes requires a new training facility to substitute for actual in-air training. Because the
C-5 aircraft is larger and more expensive to fly, a flight simulator provides the most efficient training method for flying on a C-5 mission.
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The flight simulator – supported by a hydraulic lift – will be housed in a 2,360-square-foot high bay area to allow the simulator to spin and rotate in a large, open space. The simulator’s high bay space will be protected by a wet-pipe sprinkler system and accessed through an exterior, overhead-coiling door. To support new simulator training, the facility will house multiple classrooms, maintenance shops, briefing rooms, and administrative spaces. In addition, the facility will include a computer room to support the simulator’s technical needs. The computer room will feature raised access flooring and an indoor constant volume HVAC unit.
HSMM is also designing an 800-square-foot Learning Center that will function as a training space for Air National Guard pilots. The Center’s most unique aspect is an eight-by-eight foot paper cubicle mockup of a C-5 cockpit. This paper cubicle is backlit and allows pilots to experience the C-5 plane before advancing to the simulator.
Architecturally, HSMM is designing the facility in accordance with the West Virginia Air National Guard’s Architectural Design Guide, created by HSMM in 2003. All future construction for the base’s C-5 conversion will follow the same Guide, therefore all of the C-5 facilities will have a cohesive architectural aesthetic.
Site Designs
HSMM is designing a primary two-way access drive, a 49-space parking lot, utility connections, and site grading and drainage for the flight simulation facility.
Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP)
HSMM is designing the flight simulation facility in accordance with the Department of Defense Oct 2003: Minimum Anti-Terrorism Standards for Buildings code. The facility is classified as an “inhabited” building according to AT/FP building category criteria: the standoff distance and separation requirements associated with that classification are reflected in the design. In addition, the facility’s exterior windows will be blast resistant. |
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