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Switzerland Qualifies Brunner Mixed-reality DA42 Sim
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: Lufthansa Aviation Training will use the simulator in its pilot training program
Word Count: 237
The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation has issued the first qualification to EASA standards for Brunner Elektronik’s mixed-reality Novasim MR DA42 FNPT (flight and navigation procedures) II flight simulator. Lufthansa Aviation Training will use the simulator in its pilot training program.
Replicating the diesel-powered Diamond DA42, the Novasim MR DA42 includes a motion base. Instead of a large visual display, pilots view the outside world using a Varjo XR-4 mixed-reality headset, which has pass-through viewing so the pilot can see and interact with real cockpit avionics and controls. An advantage of this type of simulator is that the pilot can see in any direction; the field of view isn’t limited by screens positioned outside traditional simulators. The Novasim MR DA42’s imagery is provided by FlightSafety International’s Vital 1150 image generator, replicating the same quality as a level-D simulator.
“This is a milestone not only for Varjo and Brunner, but for the future of pilot training in civil aviation,” said Tristan Cotter, global head of defense and aerospace at Varjo. “With this certification, mixed reality is no longer a forward-looking concept; it’s a verified, scalable, and cost-effective solution ready to meet the operational demands of the industry today.” 
“We are proud to lead the way in redefining aviation training by achieving the first-ever EASA qualification for a mixed-reality simulator,” said Brunner CEO Roger Klingler.