First F-35 Pilot Readiness Center Launched Outside the U.S.


Collins Aerospace and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) have established the world’s first F-35 Pilot Readiness Center outside of the United States. The new Pilot Readiness Center is located at the RNLAF’s Center for Man in Aviation based at Soesterberg, The Netherlands.

The dedicated in-region center will provide the RNLAF and international customers with the tools and support to maintain and improve fleet and pilot readiness, including helmet fitting, calibration, centrifuge, flight simulators and altitude chamber training.

“As F-35 fleets continue to grow across the globe, in-region support to assure mission readiness is an absolute necessity”, said Lisa Steffen, vice president and general manager, Avionics Service and Support for Collins Aerospace. 

“Helmet fitting coupled with extensive training provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into physiological dynamics that will drive innovation and ultimately will bring benefits for the entire F-35 community.”

The centre will support the ten F-35s that are in active service with the RNLAF, and is expected to reach operating capability later this year.

“The Royal Netherlands Air Force has a long history of providing pilot training excellence for Air Forces around the world,” said Lieutenant General J.D. Luyt, commander of the RNLAF.

“The F-35 Pilot Readiness Center is a natural evolution of our state-of-the-art facilities in the Netherlands, ready to support the 5th generation warfighter for its recurring training, helmet fitting and calibration needs.”