Developing VR Pilot Training

• DiSTI and VTR are working to optimize the time pilots spend in training, giving students the familiarity of the inside of the aircraft in VR before approaching simulator training
• The solution will be used on Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft

Virtual training solution developer, The DiSTI Corporation, along with pilot training provider Visionary Training Resources (VTR), have entered into a partnership to develop virtual reality (VR) pilot training for the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft.

Recent research by one of the United States’ leading four-year flight training degree programs estimates that the U.S. has a shortage of at least 3,500 commercial pilots, annually. That number is estimated to grow as approximately 5,000 pilots accepted early retirement offers from mainline U.S. carriers during the COVID pandemic.

Focusing on the popular Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737 aircraft, DiSTI and VTR are working to optimize the time pilots spend in training; while simultaneously delivering lower costs compared to traditional airline training methods alone.

This VR-focused solution creates a detailed digital twin of each of the aircrafts’ flight decks, allowing pilots to interact with switches, dials, and levers to build muscle memory before entering more costly simulator training. Additionally, the solution is entirely portable, deploying on mobile VR headsets like the Pico NEO Pro Eye.

In addition to the tracking of all virtual interactions, this solution utilizes the eye-tracking technology provided by the VR headset to track visual inspection tasks performed by the student automatically. With the ability to integrate into any learning management system (LMS) via DiSTI’s Schoolhouse software, students can train from anywhere while having their results recorded and achievements tracked for future review at their respective training entities.

In its Safety Briefing, the FAA highlighted that the shortage of pilots demands more accessible means for training. The partnership between DiSTI and VTR aims to reduce the unpredictability and costs for airlines by providing highly standardized pilot training and better preparing pilots for simulator training.