Loft Dynamics has launched a suite of industry-shaping features to more efficiently and effectively address the global pilot shortage and high rates of training related accidents. Central to this is LofTWIN, a virtual demonstration mode that digitises flight instruction from world-renowned pilots and instructors from aircraft OEMs. This tool makes their expertise immersive, accessible and scalable across Loft Dynamics’ global network of simulators. Additionally, the company is introducing new simulations, including night vision goggles (NVGs) and whiteout/brownout conditions, that make skill and scenario-based training safer and simulations more realistic.

“Our VR FSTDs have made realistic and safe pilot training drastically more accessible and affordable, but hardware alone isn’t enough,” says founder and CEO Fabi Riesen. “The industry faces a global pilot shortage, pandemic-related retirements and rising demand for air transport, issues compounded by the high costs and limited availability of safe yet effective training solutions. LofTWIN addresses these challenges on a new level by making world-class instruction more accessible and scalable. More than just a tool, LofTWIN is a powerful knowledge-sharing platform that captures and disseminates invaluable expertise to improve training for the next generation of exceptional pilots. It’s the first in a series of upcoming software innovations aimed at democratising the best pilot training resources.”

LofTWIN records and transforms expert flight instruction into an immersive VR experience for deployment across Loft Dynamics’ cloud-connected simulator fleet. Its ever-expanding catalogue of demonstrations features legendary pilots and instructors, including Glenn White, an experienced EMS pilot and former factory instructor at Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters); Gerold Biner, former CEO of Air Zermatt and a rescue pilot in the Himalayas and the Alps; Scott Urschel, one of the world’s few aerobatic helicopter pilots; and Yann Guérin, head of pilot training at Airbus Helicopters. With LofTWIN, pilots build essential skills safely and more efficiently, while OEMs benefit from consistent and accurate demonstrations that lead to safer aircraft operations in real-world flight.

Pilots and operators choose their scenario-based demonstration through Loft Dynamics’ training device, immersing themselves in a realistic VR cockpit with expert virtual instructors. The instructors’ movements are visually replicated by a full-body avatar that provides real-time guidance, while haptic feedback from the controls enhances the experience. After a LofTWIN demo session, pilots can apply learnings to their simulator training, where advanced eye and body tracking monitors responses during each manoeuvre. The data captured in these sessions equips pilots with insights to track progress over time and benchmark performance against experts. The gamified approach promotes regular skill development and helps usher in a new generation of digital-native pilots. Additionally, LofTWIN allows operators’ chief pilots and instructors to produce high-quality lessons in a standardised way, educating everyone in the organisation more efficiently.

For aircraft OEMs, their chief instructors can now easily record demonstrations on any Loft Dynamics simulator, allowing them to develop the most relevant and precise instruction and instantly deploy it to any LD training device worldwide. The instructors execute specific manoeuvres in the simulator as they usually would, providing detailed commentary through the headset microphone. All audio, visuals, control movements and force feedback during the session are captured, uploaded and packaged into a shareable session.

“This technology is an important milestone for us,” says Guérin. “LofTWIN lets us create instructor demonstrations. With just a push of a button, instructors can record their demo on the VR H125 simulator and instantly share it with their trainees. Thus, the training is much more consistent and efficient. Instructors are able to demonstrate and assist their trainees. Furthermore, these demos could be shared within the VR H125 instructor community, increasing training standardisation and safety.”

“LofTWIN also allows OEMs to monetise their expertise,” adds Riesen. “For instance, Air Zermatt’s VR mountain rescue demo in whiteout conditions could be purchased by operators in Nepal training rescue pilots and uploaded to their Loft sim. This goes beyond just providing access to exceptional instruction; it connects people to the most relevant expertise available, helping us collectively improve pilot skills and safety.”