Airbus Deploys Loft Dynamics VR Simulator for H125 Type Rating Training

Airbus Helicopters has deployed Loft Dynamics virtual reality flight simulators for H125 training at its Marignane headquarters in France and Johannesburg facility in South Africa, with the devices now supporting type rating training standards.

The VR-based training system uses headset-mounted displays with 3D 360-degree visualisation integrated into full-scale cockpit replicas equipped with motion and vibration systems. The platform replicates control loading forces and incorporates what Airbus describes as sufficient fidelity to support emergency procedure training and complex aerial work mission profiles.

According to Airbus, the simulator has been upgraded with dual control capability at the Marignane Training Academy and now meets the company's type rating training standards, though specific EASA FSTD qualification levels and creditable training hours were not disclosed.

The deployment addresses rotorcraft training challenges including emergency procedure familiarisation, mountain flying operations, and aerial work scenarios such as sling-load operations. Zoltan Horvath, a professional pilot who completed training on the device, stated the simulator enables pilots to "train at the edge of the physical possibilities of the helicopter" in a risk-free environment, reducing startle effect during actual emergencies.

The platform's portable architecture enables deployment at operator facilities or existing training sites, potentially expanding training access for operators without traditional Level D full flight simulator infrastructure. Airbus cited this deployability as addressing geographical training accessibility challenges, particularly for smaller operators.

Airbus and Loft Dynamics are developing recurrent training modules for the H125 platform and have an H145 VR simulator under development. A second training device has been installed at Airbus Helicopters' South African training academy in Midrand.