Kawasaki To Deploy 1st Asia-Pac Loft H145 VR Simulator

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which plays a key role in manufacturing, support, and training for the Airbus BK117/H145 helicopter series in the Asia-Pacific, will be the first to deploy Loft Dynamics’ new H145 Multi-Pilot virtual-reality (VR) simulator in the region. Loft Dynamics developed the simulator in collaboration with Airbus Helicopters.

The Loft VR simulators feature a six-degree-of-freedom full-motion platform, a virtual full-scale cockpit, and, with the trainee wearing a VR headset, 360-degree views of the helicopter interior, avionics, and the outside world. As a multi-pilot simulator, according to Loft Dynamics, the device enables pilots and crew to train together, and instructors and trainees can safely replicate flight scenarios and emergencies.

“As an Airbus Helicopters-approved training center, our responsibility is to provide operators with the highest standard of H145 training available,” said Hitoshi Kawaguchi, head of the BK117/H145 program at Kawasaki. “Loft Dynamics’ H145 Multi-Pilot VR simulator significantly expands our ability to do just that. 

“By combining immersive multi-crew training with OEM-provided aircraft data, we can give pilots more opportunities to build proficiency, prepare for complex missions, and train using the same procedures they use in the aircraft. Adding this capability to our training center advances our long-term plans for advanced H145/BK117 training and allows us to serve more operators across Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region.”