SAF Aerogroup Enhances Global Air Operations with Loft Dynamics’ VR Simulators

SAF Aerogroup’s new Loft Dynamics simulators will be housed at the company’s Tournon base in the Savoie, France and will offer high-fidelity pilot training enrolled in its academy. Students now have access to a first-of-its-kind virtual reality training experience: Loft Dynamics’ unrestricted 360-degree 3D view, which enables precise control of the helicopter according to high-resolution references; a six-degrees-of-freedom highly dynamic motion platform, which accurately replicates the aircraft’s movements and haptic sensations, including the feeling of skids touching the ground; and a proprietary Pose Tracking System that makes cockpit operations intuitive.

"We had never seen this level of precise helicopter replication before, especially when it came to flight behavior. It was an easy decision to invest in Loft Dynamics’ state-of-the-art training solution: we strengthen important skills we wouldn’t otherwise be able to do and do onsite, and we free up onboarding and operations time as Loft Dynamics handles it all,” said Tristan Serretta, CEO of SAF Aerogroup.

"Pilots need to be able to train for the variety of scenarios they may encounter, including recovery from a vortex ring state, inadvertent IMC prevention, mountain landing with varying up and downdrafts, or sling load operation—that type of training can’t be done safely and regularly today. Loft Dynamics’ sims fill that critical void for us. This is undoubtedly the future of pilot training, and we’re confident that Loft Dynamics’ technology will help establish SAF Aerogroup as one of the foremost helicopter training organizations in the world.”

“Training and checking in real helicopters come with certain risks and hinder commercial operations. The simulator enables training and checking in a safe environment at any time, independent of weather conditions,” explains Jens Westh, Chief Operating Officer at Loft Dynamics. “Training is made as realistic as possible, allowing for the simulation of malfunctions as they would occur in reality. This forces pilots to take concrete actions rather than just discussing what would be done in each situation. We are convinced that this will enhance flight safety in both the short and long term, in line with the EASA Rotorcraft Safety Roadmap.”

Loft Dynamics offers comprehensive customer service, which enables every helicopter operator and flight school to benefit from simulator training directly at their home base. “Qualifying an FSTD is complex, time-consuming, and requires specific knowledge,” observes Jens Westh. “Operating the device also presents challenges. We relieve our customers of these burdens and enable them to focus on what matters most: operations.”

SAF Aerogroup is a multinational aviation conglomerate offering aircraft operations, pilot training, maintenance, aircraft sales, and consulting services to governments and nonprofits. With over 500 employees and managed by a superior team of aviation experts, SAF operates across 30 bases, including eight maintenance facilities and two training academies: the French X-Aero Training Academy and the South African Starlite Aviation Training Academy. The company is on a mission to become one of the top 10 global players in mission aviation services by 2030.

https://safaerogroup.com

https://xaerotraining.com

https://www.starliteaviation.com/training

Loft Dynamics 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 3D high-resolution 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. We provide continuous and comprehensive customer support, from installation and maintenance to training and regulatory approvals, allowing users to focus on core business operations. 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.