Air Greenland and Loft Dynamics Partner to Bring VR Flight Training to Greenland for the First Time
ZURICH and NUUK, Dec. 21, 2022 - Loft Dynamics AG (formerly VRM Switzerland), creator of the world's first and only virtual reality (VR) simulator authorized by a major aviation regulator, today announced a partnership with Air Greenland to bring its state-of-the-art VR training simulator to Greenland. The partnership marks a new milestone in Loft Dynamics’ mission to make flight training more accessible, even in the most remote places. For Air Greenland, the partnership makes VR flight training technology available domestically for the first time ever.
Air Greenland will operate a Loft Dynamics Airbus H125 VR training simulator from its headquarters in Nuuk. The simulator is Loft Dynamics’ seventh European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-authorized VR training device since receiving its FTD Level 3 Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD) qualification in May 2022. By acquiring the simulator, Air Greenland will be able to enhance flight safety, execute license and operator proficiency checks, provide special operations practice required for safely navigating the remote area, and reduce environmental impacts.
There’s No Place Too Remote
Air Greenland operates a fleet of helicopters, including its Airbus H155 and H225, which previously required travel to select international training centers equipped with full-flight simulators. Thanks to the Loft Dynamics simulator’s small footprint (one-tenth the size of traditional simulators) and more affordable price point (roughly one-twentieth the cost of traditional simulators), it makes the safest, most precise flight training technology more accessible and scalable than ever before, no matter how remote the location.
Marco Peyer
Chief Flight Instructor (Airbus H125) at Air Greenland
“Loft’s simulator will be instrumental in carrying out our ‘spring refresher’ training, which encompasses operator and licence proficiency checks and enhanced procedure and safety trainings. It gives our crew access to the most comprehensive and realistic training opportunities – from standard operating procedures to emergency situations unique to our surroundings,” said Marco Peyer, Chief Flight Instructor (Airbus H125) at Air Greenland. “The device is incredibly cost-effective compared to traditional simulators, and it also helps us to reduce carbon emissions.”
Remote Support, Hands-on Access
“Remote locations, like Nuuk, require reliable systems to operate pilot training devices. So our team built the system from the ground up, allowing us to conduct software maintenance and provide support anywhere in the world from our headquarters in Switzerland. Meanwhile, local crews gain valuable, hands-on access to the onsite simulator without ever leaving the country,” says Fabi Riesen, CEO and Founder of Loft Dynamics.
“The Loft Dynamics VR simulator is a great tool for significantly enhancing the training experience and ensuring optimal flight safety,” said Brian Jørgensen, Head of Training at Air Greenland. “It’s efficient, economically beneficial, easy to install, and does not take up much space.”
Brian Jørgensen
Head of Training at Air Greenland
About Air Greenland
Air Greenland is a large company with a wide range of services, from passenger flights to charter assignments to the tourism industry. Air Greenland recognizes its environmental impacts and is committed to developing and implementing more sustainable solutions, despite fleet renewal and procurement policy challenges. Since launching over 60 years ago, Air Greenland has operated a variety of aircraft, ranging from helicopters to fixed-wing. Currently, Air Greenland has 10 aircraft and 18 helicopters in its fleet, and a team of 450 employees.
About Loft Dynamics
Loft Dynamics AG, formerly VRMotion AG, was founded in Zurich in 2018 and has become the market leader in developing and constructing VR training devices for helicopter pilots. It was the first to receive Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD) EASA FTD Level 3 authorization from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for a VR full-motion simulator. With a talented team of passionate engineers, highly specialized developers and dedicated aviation experts, Loft Dynamics helps leading global aircraft manufacturers, airlines, aviation operators, flight schools, and training organizations worldwide provide safer and more effective pilot training.
Pictures by Paal Telnes, Malik Brøns, Marco Peyer (Air Greenland)