The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected Loft Dynamics' Airbus H125 and Robinson R22 simulators to train pilots. This will be the first instance of using virtual reality flight simulation technology to train pilots. Both simulators have been installed at the William J. Hughes Technical Center (WHTC), the FAA's innovation hub.
"The adoption of VR flight simulators by international safety agencies like EASA and FAA is crucial given the current landscape. The world needs more than 600,000 new pilots in the next 20 years, and the emergence of electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL) will significantly add to that demand. Traditional training options absolutely cannot keep up. We need innovation to solve this quickly, and that's what we're on a mission to do," said Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics.
"To receive approval from EASA and now introduce our technology to the FAA is an exciting and important milestone. We're thrilled to kick off this partnership and collectively forge a safer, more scalable, and sustainable future for US aviation,” Riesen added.
Loft Dynamics claim that the simulators will allow the FAA to perform the research and development required to enhance vertical flight safety, pursue qualification under 14 CFR part 60, and advance NextGen goals.