“Once the pilot wears the VR headset, he dives into a fully immersive training environment. The 3D 360° panoramic few allows the execution of realistic scenario-based training as they would be executed in actual flight but this is just one part of the entire system. Just as important is the visualization in high resolution during ground maneuvers, with sun effects like shadow and the highly dynamic motion platform which allows the pilot to precisely feel the finest changes in attitude and touchdown to the ground. This in combination with a numerical simulation to enable the realistic representation of the flight behavior.” Fabi Riesen underlines. An in-house developed Precise Pose Tracking System allows the pilot to see his hand and body movements in the virtual world. The system requires neither gloves nor additional sensors. A full-scale replica cockpit with all relevant controls gives the pilot haptic feedback when operating knobs, buttons and engine control components. The control load system represents the flight control forces precisely. So, the entire system creates a unique full-body immersion. This has the great advantage that the pilot has exactly the same perceptions as in the real helicopter.

“The system of Loft Dynamics enables training from the junior pilot up to the most experienced specialist.” says Gerold Biner, CEO and Pilot of Air Zermatt. Flight Assistance enables the instructor to recover unwanted flight attitudes or to hand over single controls to the student as it is done during basic training in the real helicopter. Scenario-based training exercises in difficult weather situations during day and night, challenges and improves the pilots single-pilot crew resource management (CRM) skills. Typical use cases are to practice emergency procedures, external sling load instruction, Night Vision Goggle (NVG) training and other special operation exercises requiring an exact reproduction of the reality. “As one of the first customers, we will increase with this FSTD, flight safety by reducing the training and operational costs.” Gerold Biner predicts.

Colorado Highland Helicopters will receive their H125 training device this spring. “In cooperation with FAA and Loft Dynamics CHH will aid in qualification under Federal Aviation Regulations to apply training credits towards pilot certificates. This will be a significant milestone, qualifying a VR device within the US. We are excited to bring this technology to our training.” explains Brandon Laird Owner and Chief Pilot of Colorado Highland Helicopters. Loft Dynamics is already working closely together with FAA to enhance qualification methods and standards for rotorcraft FSTD within a United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) Safety Enhancement working group. In addition, a goal is to introduce new methods of pilot training by leveraging the onset of new technologies such as virtual reality, to reduce the cost of pilot training and increase its effectiveness within the rotorcraft community.