The Airbus H125 virtual reality simulator is presented as a new way to train pilots. Airbus, VRM Switzerland (a helicopter pilot training company), and EASA worked together to approve the equipment. This is the first FTD level 3 simulator -which accurately replicates the cockpit of the simulated equipment- for the H125 in the world.
«Today, pilots perform their proficiency tests mostly in real helicopters. With this simulator, they can learn without carbon emissions and at a lower cost,» said Fabi Riesen, CEO of VRM Switzerland. «With the EASA FTD level 3 qualification, our simulator can be used for all types of training.»
Gilles Bruniaux, head of product safety at Airbus Helicopters, noted that «with this virtual reality simulator, you can put the pilot in situations that would be very risky to practice in real life». Since most helicopter accidents are human-factors related, training plays a paramount role in the industry’s safety.
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For his part, Francesco Gaetani, head of EASA’s aircrew and medical department, added: «The approval of this simulator represents a major step forward for the use of virtual reality in training. We at EASA have carefully investigated the capabilities and effects of using these systems for training. We are confident that these types of technologies will be very useful in teaching future pilots.»
David Solar, head of EASA’s general aviation and VTOL department, noted that because the simulator uses technologies not provided for in existing regulations, special conditions had to be developed. «The commitment and objectives kept in mind when our safety roadmap was approved, back in 2018, was to have visible and concrete results within five years,» he mentioned.
«The qualification of this simulator is one of the tangible results of that commitment and paves the way towards more affordable and versatile training. Furthermore, this demonstrates that collaboration between the regulatory body and the industry is the best way to achieve results,» Solar closed.
Following the approval of the simulator, VRM and Airbus signed an agreement for the joint commercialization of the equipment.
