SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Loft Dynamics in Santa Monica, Calif., announced that the company's virtual reality (VR) flight simulator has become the first VR flight simulation training device (FSTD) qualified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States.
Previously, Loft Dynamics was the sole VR simulator qualified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The qualification allows U.S. helicopter pilots to train and earn credit towards pilot ratings on a Loft Dynamics VR FSTD, including training in engine failures, emergency procedures, and complex maneuvers like sling load and pinnacle operations.
The FAA's qualification process, following 14 CFR Part 60 standards, included evaluating Loft Dynamics' Airbus-approved H125 VR FSTD at Marshall University. The simulator features a virtual cockpit, a 360-degree view, verified flight modeling, and a motion platform that simulates flight movements and scenarios.
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The FAA installed Loft Dynamics simulators at its William J. Hughes Technical Center last year to advance its Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) goals, utilizing the simulators for vertical flight safety research.
Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics, emphasized the importance of the FAA and EASA qualifications: "The FAA's and EASA's unprecedented qualifications of our technology reinforce the safety and fidelity of VR for pilot training."
Riesen highlighted the company's growth: "We spent the past year ensuring our technology meets regulatory requirements and thoughtfully scaling our talent, production, and high-touch customer support for this next chapter."
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Loft Dynamics also announced the addition of former FAA administrators Randy Babbitt and Michael Huerta to its advisory board, aiming to expand its product offerings across the aviation industry.
Babbitt praised the simulator's capabilities: "Loft Dynamics incorporates actual accident and incident scenarios into training, accurately recreating flight operations in a fully immersive environment."
Huerta underscored the technology's potential: "It has never been more vital to expand the pilot training pipeline, and cutting-edge simulators like the ones built by Loft Dynamics will be an essential part of this process."
Melchior Kaag, Vice President of Training and Flight Operations at Airbus Helicopters, remarked on the partnership's impact: "I believe this achievement ignites passion among future pilots and will help alleviate the pilot shortage for years to come."
