Qualified Mixed Reality Simulator Receives EASA Nod

Swiss engineering firm BRUNNER Elektronik AG and XR technology provider Varjo achieved a significant milestone with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) qualification of the NOVASIM MR DA42 flight simulator. This marks the first time a mixed reality Flight and Navigation Procedures Trainer II (FNPT II) has been certified for civil aviation training in Europe.

The NOVASIM MR DA42 simulator replicates the Diamond DA42 aircraft, one of the widely used models in civil aviation, and incorporates the Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition headset. The system enables complete flight training sessions in a highly immersive mixed reality environment, allowing pilots to operate physical cockpit controls while experiencing virtual surroundings with human-eye resolution.

NOVASIM’s qualification includes approval for head-mounted display use and compact motion systems. The development was completed in collaboration with Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland, Varjo, and FOCA. The simulator meets rigorous EASA standards under special conditions and combines real-time rendering, eye tracking, and integrated physical controls to enhance situational awareness, decision-making analysis, and overall training effectiveness.

As the aviation industry seeks scalable solutions to modernize pilot training and address workforce shortages, the NOVASIM MR DA42’s qualification is expected to accelerate adoption of extended reality technologies and influence future regulatory pathways.