KC-135 pilots "fly" on ground Published Feb. 28, 2011 By Senior Airman Clara Karwacinski AFN Okinawa KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The first known flight simulator was developed in 1909 and consisted of a seat mounted on a half-barrel with two wheels. Today flight simulators are capable of training on all aspects of an operational mission. Senior Airman Clara Karwacinski tells us how flight simulation helps the KC-135 pilots on Kadena Air Base.