USMC KC-130J Crew Composition
With the advent of the "glass cockpit" in the KC-130J, the Marine Corps faces tough decisions about reducing the crew complement. Designed for three crewmembers, the KC-130J potentially reduces the crew complement in half. This paper looks at the negative impacts that drastic crew reductions would have on the safety and efficiency of the KC-130 community. The analysis begins with a look at the extraordinary safety record of the KC-130 community and the training regimen. Next, the analysis looks at the capabilities, limitations, and the Cockpit Resource Management issues of glass technology. Finally, an analysis of a closely related aircraft, the C-17, is conducted to assess KC-130J training resource deficiencies. The analysis shows lack of training resources significantly degrades the safe operations of the KC-130J. The arrival of this new aircraft will not bring any substantial increase in training sortie opportunities. With a drastic reduction in crew complement, the KC-130 community will be severely strained to keep aircrews proficient. With relatively young aircrew and minimal training opportunities, the risk to safety of flight increases substantially without the contributions of the crew positions eliminated from the KC-130J. The Marine Corps would be well served to take a long-term transition strategy of maintaining the relative same crew complement until such time that appropriate training resources are available and the crew can be gradually reduced.
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