Loft Dynamics: Changing the landscape of pilot training

This sponsored article was created by Perception journal, the sponsored content material division of MHM Publishing, on behalf of Loft Dynamics.

It’s estimated that the worldwide scarcity of helicopter pilots will exceed 61,000 by 2038. Mass retirements, an growing old pilot inhabitants, and the enlargement of helicopter functions create a major hole within the rotorcraft pilot provide. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all resolution to those challenges, however cutting-edge digital actuality (VR) flight coaching simulators, like Loft Dynamics’, are proving to be a robust asset — and the worldwide aviation business is more and more taking discover.

In Might 2022, the European Union Aviation Security Company (EASA) permitted Loft Dynamics’ simulators as the one EASA FTD Degree 3 flight simulation coaching units (FSTD), permitting Airbus H125 (AS350 B3e) pilots to finish annual license proficiency checks for AS350/EC130 sort ranking revalidation and biannual operator proficiency checks in Loft Dynamics’ simulators. In 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) added two Loft Dynamics VR helicopter flight simulators at its William J. Hughes Technical Middle in Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey, to offer real looking flight eventualities for pilots and security researchers.

Loft Dynamics is main a world paradigm shift in how the subsequent technology of pilots are educated. The corporate’s enlargement into extra markets, together with its most up-to-date entry in North America, has served as a catalyst for this shift. Naturally, it has additionally spiked demand, notably within the U.S. Clients, starting from flight faculties and helicopter operators to producers reminiscent of Airbus Helicopters, have acquired the simulators. Even airborne legislation enforcement organizations just like the Los Angeles Police Division Air Assist Division have already initiated the acquisition course of of putting in an onsite Loft Dynamics H125 VR FSTD.

“Whereas demand for our simulators continues to rise, we’re additionally recognizing a largely unmet demand from pilots and aviation leaders within the U.S. — they need to check our expertise in particular person. To make it simpler for them to the touch, really feel, and expertise firsthand the ability of our simulators, we knew a bodily area was the reply,” defined Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics.

On Feb. 1, 2024, Loft Dynamics unveiled its first-ever Digital Actuality Flight Simulation Hub in Santa Monica, California. This hands-on, dynamic demonstration middle and operations base serves the North American market the place the biggest inhabitants of helicopter
pilots reside.

“A strategically-located bodily demo middle permits our rising buyer base the prospect to fly our sims, observe a variety of maneuvers, and actually comprehend the ability of VR expertise on this capability. Moreover, with a simulation hub in the correct location, current North American prospects will get sooner and extra handy onsite and distant assist,” Riesen elaborated.

Conveniently situated on the Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO), Loft Dynamics’ hub will home its H125 VR FSTD and a compact technical operations station, located simply off the airport’s storied and picturesque statement deck. There, guests will get to fly the simulator, experiencing its immersive realism by way of a full-scale reproduction cockpit

with a 360-degree view and exact visible cues — each inside and out of doors the plane. The six levels of freedom extremely dynamic movement platform precisely replicates all haptic sensations skilled whereas flying an plane — from sling load actions and uneven surfaces to flight management pressure suggestions — permitting pilots to sharpen their muscle reminiscence.

Pilots may even customise their coaching eventualities to duplicate real-life emergency conditions in a protected, managed setting. For instance, pilots can simulate flying within the mountains with the challenges of tough terrain, winds, and excessive altitude, whereas public security pilots can observe touchdown on each constructing of their metropolis.

Riesen shared that the corporate has seen an uptick in curiosity from U.S.-based air medical firms, a lot of which function Airbus H125s. He stated the preliminary draw lies of their capacity to ship extremely efficient coaching at a fraction of the associated fee and measurement in comparison with conventional full-flight simulators — roughly 20 instances inexpensive and 10 instances smaller. As soon as they get into the corporate’s simulator, navigating eventualities reminiscent of flying by way of sudden clouds and fog, every little thing clicks. He stated it turns into evident simply how unparalleled the extent of realism actually is.

“The applying of VR expertise in aviation isn’t only a idea anymore,” Riesen stated. “It’s altering the panorama of pilot coaching, empowering helicopter pilots to reach any scenario, and extra broadly, making it extra accessible to interrupt into the sector. Our hub in Santa Monica brings the flight expertise to life in a handy, tangible, and fascinating manner. As we’ve seen again and again, when individuals get the prospect to fly our simulator, they see that VR expertise is the way forward for larger high quality, accessible, reasonably priced, and safer helicopter coaching.”

The upward pattern in helicopter pilot employment isn’t slowing anytime quickly. The stark actuality is that half of right this moment’s pilots will retire inside the subsequent 15 years. As the worldwide pilot scarcity transitions from a cautionary future concern to a really actual situation, the necessity for innovation is extra vital than ever.

Loft Dynamics’ modern expertise is undoubtedly constructing the muse for the subsequent technology of pilot coaching requirements, not solely in helicopters but additionally for eVTOLs and fixed-wing plane as the corporate expands its scope as early as this 12 months. The opening of its California flight simulation hub brings that expertise on to the pilots and aviation leaders of right this moment. 

Go to Loft Dynamics’ Digital Actuality Flight Simulation Hub at 3221 Donald Douglas Loop S., third Flooring, Santa Monica, CA, 90405, from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to five p.m. PT.

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