Loft Dynamics, a global leader in virtual reality (VR) flight simulation technology, has announced its expansion into electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft simulators. This marks a significant development for the first and only VR simulator with major regulatory approval. The company's inaugural VR eVTOL simulator is being developed for Dufour Aerospace, a pioneer in eVTOL flight technology. The partnership was revealed at Loft Dynamics' inaugural event, Loft Fest, which gathered the global aviation community.
The new Aero3 VR eVTOL simulator is currently in development and is expected to enter the market in early 2025. Loft Dynamics' expansion comes at a crucial time for the aviation industry, as urban congestion and environmental concerns drive global demand for eVTOL aircraft and pilots. The industry's ability to train and scale a specialized pilot workforce is strained by a growing pilot shortage. VR simulators are seen as essential for providing high-quality eVTOL training.
“Our partnership with Dufour Aerospace represents a big stride forward in training a wider range of pilots at a time when operators need it most. It also lays groundwork for the eventual certification of our eVTOL simulator,” said Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics. “We started with helicopters, which are extremely challenging to simulate — the physics, motion, and human factors are more complex than in all other aircraft. This is why proving and qualifying our technology in the helicopter market, even beyond what’s mandated at the regulatory level, offers a significant advantage as we move into eVTOLs. Our 360-degree, 3D view — as well as highly detailed terrain and cityscape models and realistic ground effects — make our technology transferrable and incredibly valuable to eVTOLs.”
Dufour Aerospace’s tilt-wing Aero3 eVTOL combines the versatility of a helicopter with the efficiency and speed of an airplane. The Aero3 is designed for emergency medical services, capable of landing in diverse environments to quickly transport patients to hospitals. It also serves as a cost-effective option for urban, regional, and private transportation markets, including air taxi services, VIP transport, and deliveries.
Thomas Pfammatter, founder and CEO of Dufour Aerospace and an experienced Air Zermatt helicopter rescue pilot, praised Loft Dynamics' VR flight simulation technology. He described it as “by far the most realistic simulator I have ever flown.” Pfammatter noted that Loft Dynamics' simulator technology would allow Dufour to develop a pilot interface with “unprecedented speed and cost efficiency.”
Given the important role eVTOLs are expected to play in the future of aviation, this partnership positions Loft Dynamics at the forefront of flight innovation. “The VR approach is undoubtedly superior among extended reality training solutions and is critical as we develop a man-machine interface for the Aero3,” Pfammatter said. “It allows pilots to integrate new concepts quickly and effectively, including tilt-wing operation and fountain lift and suckdown ground effects at low to zero speeds. Most importantly, it enables our pilots to gain experience in a safe and hyper-realistic environment. This will generate invaluable data as we develop the aircraft.”
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