It is widely recognized that being operationally proficient generally involves performing tasks with expert accuracy and efficiency, and that many of these critical task skills are perishable, requiring periodic review and practice to maintain readiness.

In the fall of 2021, concerns were expressed by some CGD-NE-SR AuxAir crews about not having enough flight opportunities to adequately prepare for the approaching annual Ice Patrol season. Essentially, due to various uncontrollable factors such as weather, aircraft on hand, and available crew seats, there were simply not enough flights to meet the growing currency and proficiency needs of all of the District’s AuxAir crews.

Recognizing these growing concerns, the SPG reached out to private industry to identify potential commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) training options that could help AuxAir crews build and maintain their skills and proficiencies between flight assignments.

This led to an evaluation of a recently installed flight simulator at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy because of two notable capabilities. The first is its unique 200° field-of-view graphics, which allow crews to actually scan and search more than 90° left and right of the aircraft and, when a target is observed, continually circle an object of interest until further assistance arrives.

The second capability is this simulator’s ability to change its cockpit configurations in minutes. This was considered particularly important because all AuxAir aircraft are privately owned, and each reflects its owner's personal style. By providing the option of a Cessna 172 with analog instruments and a Cessna 182 with a variable-pitch prop and a G1000 flat-screen cockpit, crews can practice on a wide range of aircraft they may encounter as crew without worrying about damaging someone else's equipment.

Gaining firsthand experience with SAR or other critical events is a rare opportunity. While most AuxAir crews will never participate in an actual emergency response, they must always be prepared to respond effectively whenever they take to the air.

Most importantly, this allows crews to gain a better understanding and greater confidence in operating these and other critical pieces of equipment during events and situations that are too risky to practice during real flights.