Virtually perfect

Loft Dynamics, a company specializing in VR simulation, recently earned FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency certification for its Airbus H125 helicopter flight training device, which it says was a world first. While some may think of VR as a toy with a market best aimed at teenagers, Loft Dynamics’ FTD provides an immersive experience unlike any other simulator in the segment.

Marshall University recently began a flight training program at the West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston, and the school is using a Loft Dynamics H125 simulator to efficiently work with students in rotorcraft transition training. I flew a demonstration in the simulator and was amazed by its capabilities.

After a quick fitting outside the simulator, Tedd Rossi, a Loft Dynamics sales executive and head of the company’s demo center in Santa Monica, California, explained how to strap into the seat, put on the VR device, and begin the session. With the screen only a few inches from your face and wearing a Bose headset, the simulator is an intensely immersive experience. The visual display, usually limited to around 200 degrees in a standard FTD, is unlimited from every direction in the Loft Dynamics FTD. As you turn your head, the view changes. Look up, down, and outside and the scene is a faithful recreation of the real world. There’s even a mirror on the skid outside the pilot seat that displays a reflection with a changing parallax as you move your head. Reach out to put your hand on the physical button on the panel and the system creates your body and the cockpit screens digitally. I turned my head left and jumped when I discovered a passenger. Looking behind, there were two passengers in the back as well. Rossi thought we should start with a lighter load, so he took away the passengers, and the motion platform gave a noticeable wobble to indicate they had stepped out.

Rossi brought us to a hover and handed over the controls one by one. Meant to be a higher-end FTD for flight training academies, it’s clear that the Loft Dynamics VR platform would be equally impressive as an ab initio trainer. Adaptive control management allows students to learn to hover, pedal turn, and autorotate before ever touching the real machine, and while gaining the confidence knowing they are doing the flying, and not their handsy instructor.

After flying a few patterns, some steep approaches, and a few mild autorotations at altitude with power recovery, I tried a full-down auto, something I’ve never done in a real helicopter. Despite Rossi coaching me through the maneuver through the Bose headset, I nosed over on landing and crashed, and the jolt was so firm and realistic that it took me a minute to calm down after taking off the headset. My shirt was soaked after only about 20 minutes, and like after a bad dream, I felt off balance for the next few minutes.

Previously known as VRM Switzerland, Loft Dynamics has been perfecting VR simulation technology over the last eight years. The company’s operation in the United States includes headquarters and a demo center in Santa Monica; two sims in the field; and a unit at the FAA’s tech center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Loft Dynamics has been able to attract former FAA administrators Michael Huerta and Randy Babbit as advisors, and venture capital firm UP.Partners is a supporter.

It’s easy to see how the company has been able to gain this level of attention. In addition to fully integrating into a typical flight academy environment, the platform offers opportunities for ab initio training, specialized military training, more economic type training, and more. Simulation is well established as a safety training tool in turbine aircraft, and an efficiency training tool in ab initio training. With the ability to do things like full-down autos, whiteout and brownout training, sling load training, and more, Loft Dynamics has the capabilities to bring a mix of safety and efficiency to the helicopter training world as well.

Rossi said the company continues to improve its visual platform, and is also in the final stages of upgrading the VR device. Although not exactly uncomfortable, the device can strain the head and neck after a typical hourlong training session, so smaller goggles would be a welcome improvement.

Although initially developed with a Robinson helicopter as the platform, Loft Dynamics is currently focused on the H125 and H145 markets. But, with a fully adaptable technology, there’s no reason we couldn’t see virtual representations of every type of light helicopter in nearly every academy and major flight school.