Navy Recruiting Gets Third F-18 Flight Simulator
Navy Recruiting Command
has added a third F/A-18 Super Hornet full-motion simulator to its
arsenal of attractions that support recruiting around the
country.
The simulator, provided by Pulseworks, is one of three aviation
simulators Navy Recruiting uses around the nation. The Navy's
partnership with Pulseworks began in 2000, and since then, Navy
Recruiting has used two 20-seat simulators to showcase naval
aviation as part of the Navy’s “Accelerate your
Life™” recruitment campaign.
The new simulator seats eight and will allow for the attraction
to set up at venues that the larger 20-seat simulators could not
attend due to logistical problems.
“This simulator allows us to visit rural-area and
inner-city venues that were challenging for us to target due to the
weight of the simulator and its size. The new eight-seat simulator
allows for easier maneuverability in small city streets and smaller
rural roads,” said Lt. David Shaner, director of recruiter
support, Navy Recruiting Command. “This simulator will
provide young men and women an opportunity to experience the U.S.
Navy’s hi-tech environment and get a sense of what it’s
like to be part of a winning team,” he said.
The new mobile
simulator is designed around a 39-foot-long tractor trailer. The
passenger capsule includes integrated premium quality digital
projection and surround sound technology. It will feature the live
action ride film experience “F/A-18 Super Hornet,” a
pilot’s perspective of a launch and recovery on board an
aircraft carrier, as well as low-level flying. This immersing
adventure is designed to capture the imagination of prospective
Navy recruits.
“I am delighted that Pulseworks continues to be a key
ingredient in the Navy recruiting traveling exhibits program. We
are excited to get the mobile simulator on the road to demonstrate
what the greatest Navy in the world has to offer,” said Raj
Deshpande, CEO, Pulseworks.
The simulator is capable of generating thousands of recruiting
leads each month. Shaner said that during its peak month in
September 2003, one of the simulators generated more than 2,400
quality leads. The age groups of the majority of those leads were
16-25 years old, Navy Recruiting Command’s target age
group.
“This simulator is going to increase our coverage area by
at least a third and has the ability to increase eligible leads for
our recruiter proportionately, as well,” said Shaner.
The simulator made its first stop Jan. 23 at Navy Recruiting
District Dallas and will continue to other recruiting events as
needed.