Under an update to EASA Aircrew Regulation (EU) No. 1178/2011, pilot training, skills tests, and proficiency checks for certain aircraft can be conducted in a qualified flight simulation training device (FSTD) and are no longer limited to full-flight simulators.
“This ruling sets a new benchmark for safety and accessibility in helicopter training across Europe,” said Loft Dynamics founder and CEO Fabi Riesen. “Helicopter training has long been constrained by the high costs and limited availability of full-flight simulators, resulting in increased travel time and expenses for regular training and checking, as well as the lack of realism and capabilities in other traditional simulators.
“With one-third of all helicopter accidents occurring during training and checking, there is an urgent need for more practical and safer training solutions. EASA’s updated regulations demonstrate a commitment to improving pilot training safety and accessibility through innovation.”
Loft Dynamics’ Airbus H125 virtual reality (VR) FSTD received EASA Level 3 qualification in 2022 and FAA qualification in July 2024. Its first VR FSTD to receive EASA approval was for the Robinson R22 helicopter in 2021 (the company was then known as VRM Switzerland).
The H125 FSTD, developed in concert with Airbus Helicopters, provides a full-scale virtual replica cockpit with a panoramic 360-degree view, verified flight modeling, and a six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform. The VR FSTDs are smaller and significantly more cost-effective than traditional full-flight simulators because they don’t require a complex and costly external visual display, all visuals of the outside world come through the VR headset, and the cockpit is fitted with avionics and systems hardware and interfaces. This makes the FSTD easy to move around.
It also incorporates scenarios that can be programmed in the VR environment such as medevac operations to remote locations, picking up and carrying sling loads, and replication of emergencies that are far too risky to train in a real helicopter.
Thus far, the Loft H125 is the only VR FSTD with dual FAA and EASA qualification. There are now 15 Loft H125 VR FSTDs located in Europe, versus only one H125 full-flight simulator (there used to be two, but one was decommissioned).
The new EASA rule eliminates reliance on full-flight simulators “and approves Loft Dynamics FSTDs for all training and proficiency checks,” according to Loft Dynamics, “…another proof point that this shift is not just industry-driven—regulators are continuing to align as well. This is expected to accelerate the use and adoption of Loft Dynamics VR FSTDs across Europe.” This also “sets a viable path for safer, more realistic, and accessible pilot training in the U.S. and beyond.”
According to Loft Dynamics, “To address safety and accessibility challenges, EASA has introduced the following updates:
- FCL.740.H Revalidation of Type Ratings – Helicopters: Pilots of single-engine helicopters (maximum take-off mass of 3,175 kg) with at least six hours as Pilot in Command (PIC) during the validity period can now revalidate their type rating with refresher training on FSTDs, aircraft, or a combination of both, instead of undergoing a proficiency check. This applies to Airbus H125 and Robinson Helicopters.
- Annex I, Appendix 9: The requirement to prioritize [full-flight simulators] for training, skill tests, or proficiency checks for non-complex helicopters has been removed. Loft Dynamics’ H125 VR FSTDs can now be used equivalently, regardless of FFS availability.”
“Over the past few years, we have been evaluating FSTDs in collaboration with the [national aviation authority] to perform all checks on the devices,” said Marco Peyer, chief flight instructor at Air Greenland. “We found nothing suitable—only systems that risked negative training. In 2022, we discovered that the Loft Dynamics device had been qualified. We conducted another assessment, this time successfully, and subsequently purchased a Loft FSTD. Since then, we've been able to conduct checks directly at our home base in Nuuk, eliminating the need for distant travel.”