EPNER Selects Loft Dynamics’ Virtual Reality Simulator to Train Highly Qualified Test Pilots
EASA-qualified VR FSTD to Train Test Pilots at EPNER
EPNER (L'École du Personnel Navigant d'Essais et de Réception), the prestigious test pilot school in France operates under the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA), the French government agency responsible for acquiring and developing military equipment and technology. EPNER trains highly qualified test crews, including pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and parachutists, to conduct and manage ground and flight tests for military and civilian aircraft.
Now, with the incorporation of Loft Dynamics’ Airbus H125 FSTD, the first and only VR FSTD to achieve FTD Level 3 qualification from EASA, EPNER can ensure the highest level of simulation quality for its students and their distinct requirements.
Patrice Gaillon
Deputy Director and Head of Training at EPNER
“The exact replication of flight behavior, including precise helicopter movements, and high-quality 3D visual depictions made it overwhelmingly clear that we needed to implement Loft Dynamics’ simulator into our test crew training programs,” said Patrice Gaillon, Deputy Director and Head of Training at EPNER. “We can demonstrate and train flight behaviors at the edge of the envelope and beyond so that students hone the most relevant techniques before stepping foot in the actual aircraft. This kind of simulator training is incredibly efficient; we can safely and regularly repeat maneuvers until the required performance level is reached all while never being beholden to aircraft availability, which is subject to weather conditions, airport hours of operation and maintenance slots. The skills and knowledge become so engrained – they know exactly what to apply and evaluate during test sessions.”
Future Training Concepts for Pilot Training and Checking
“The partnership we’re launching with EPNER is an incredibly exciting and valuable one,” said Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics. “We’re establishing an intimate feedback loop with an organization known for its academic rigor, excellence and history in training the world’s top test pilots — a role that requires extensive training and a highly specialized skill set. Their diverse training and testing exposure and expert insights will allow us to continuously iterate and improve our technology to benefit our existing and prospective customers worldwide. This level of adaptive responsiveness is especially valuable as we expand to fixed-wing and electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft FSTDs.”
About EPNER
EPNER (Ecole du Personnel Navigant d’Essai et de Réception), established over 75 years ago, is affiliated with the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) Flight Test Center based in Istres, southeastern France. It is a world-renowned government school devoted to flight test crew training, continuously upgrading its training programs to meet the evolving needs of the international flight test community. EPNER’s primary mission is to train highly qualified test crews, including pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and parachutists, to conduct and manage ground and flight tests for both military and civilian aircraft, serving both government and industry sectors. After a rigorous selection process, students undergo a 10-month experimental course (FTR1) that focuses on teamwork. Crews fly over 20 different types of fixed-wing aircraft (FW option) and more than 12 different types of helicopters (RW option). Since its establishment in 1946, the school has graduated over 2,300 students from 24 countries.
About Loft Dynamics
Loft Dynamics AG (formerly VRM Switzerland) specializes in designing, manufacturing and operating VR flight simulation training devices (FSTDs) for various aircraft systems. Founded in 2016, our mission is to revolutionize global aviation by providing best-in-class pilot training that is safe, accessible and affordable. Our immersive simulators, equipped with a high-resolution 3D panoramic view, dynamic six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform and a full-scale replica cockpit with a unique pose tracking system, are 20 times less expensive and 10 times smaller than traditional flight simulators. Leading manufacturers, airlines, operators, schools and organizations worldwide choose Loft Dynamics simulators — the world's first and only VR FSTDs with EASA FTD Level 3 regulatory approval. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, our team comprises passionate engineers, developers, and aviation experts, dedicated to delivering Swiss precision and quality in every aspect of our work.