Four years ago, when Heli-Expo was last in Atlanta, Georgia, for its annual convention, Loft Dynamics (then known as VRM Switzerland) first presented its virtual reality flight training device (VR FTD) to attendees. Since that time, the Swiss company has begun to establish a strong foothold in the simulator training market both on its home continent as well as in North America. For Heli-Expo 2023, Loft Dynamics brought its H125 VR FTD for showgoers to sample the latest in technology for this expanding field.
On the opening day of the show, Vertical Magazine had the opportunity to run the simulator through its paces. The experience begins with the pilot’s eyes being measured for calibration of the system, then some quick instructions on how to properly fit the VR headset for an optimal visual experience.
After climbing into the elevated platform seat and donning the goggles, the incredibly realistic virtual cockpit comes to life. Anyone familiar with the layout of an H125 will immediately feel at home. Following a quick tutorial, complete control of the helicopter is handed over to the pilot. With an initial empty aircraft, the controls felt light but accurate. The instructor then added “passengers” to increase weight to show the perceived difference in an empty versus a full helicopter.
A few minutes of familiarization was followed by putting the H125 into a variety of scenarios, including approach to landing, setting down and picking up from the runway, night operations, then orbits around a target — simulating law enforcement or search-and-rescue situations. As our time was nearing its end, an autorotation was initiated, terminating to a full-stop landing. Throughout the entire experience, all controls felt realistic, including manipulation of hard buttons on the panel.
“We started in my living room then continued to expand until we reached the point where we are now,” Fabi Riesen, CEO and founder of Loft Dynamics, told Vertical following the flight. “From those beginnings, we now have a partnership with Airbus Helicopters and are looking into other pairings, as well.”
One of the first to recognize this advantage in the North American market was Colorado Highland Helicopters. Owner and chief pilot Brandon Laird told Vertical that beyond the financial savings, the Loft Dynamics simulator allows his company to more quickly get new pilots into aircraft. “We’ve been using Loft for nearly a year and it’s been wonderful,” he said. “It has allowed us to put zero-time student pilots into aircraft and get them acquainted with it and up to speed cheaper, safer, and more quickly than traditional training.”
In addition to the Airbus partnership, Riesen said that he is looking at agreements with other OEMs as they pursue Federal Aviation Administration certification on various models of aircraft, including the H125 and H145, to follow the European certifications.
At a per-unit cost of under $1 million and hourly savings of nearly a tenth the price of actual aircraft flights, the investment is quickly recouped. Riesen also pointed out that when purchased, the package includes maintenance, support, and both software and hardware upgrades. “Our goal is to make an affordable, realistic training device that removes the danger involved in actual flight training, and we believe we have achieved that with what we are offering,” he said.
