F/A-18 Flight Simulator Makes Its Way To Stillwater

A flight simulator for the F/A-18 was in town Friday at one of the local companies that has been partly responsible for keeping the real planes in the air since 1996.

The Superhornets and Growlers both have an engine fuel display that was developed and manufactured by Frontier Electronic Systems.

"This is kind of life or death equipment," said President and CEO of Frontier Electronic Systems Brenda Rolls. "It has to work a hundred percent of the time and it has to do exactly what it is supposed to do."

The system allows pilots to map out how far they can go and get back safely. It also monitors the engines' power.

"To be able to see something that we built and to see where it goes in the upper level assembly, in the aircraft, and be able to see what the pilots would see, it's fantastic," said Manufacturing Engineer Kurt McLain, after coming out of the simulator.

The simulator stops at places responsible for making F/A-18 components so those who work on the individual pieces can see their product impacts every mission.

The last stop along this cross-country tour for the simulator will be Washington, D.C., where members of Congress will get the up-close look at the F-18.

Boeing Vice President for F/A-18 and EA-18G Programs Mike Gibbons said the United States Navy has asked Congress to approve money for 22 additional Growlers to the budget.