News

Loft Dynamics builds virtual reality flight simulators for pilot training.

Loft Dynamics announced that the US Federal Aviation Administration had qualified its virtual-reality flight simulation training device, the first VR device to receive that qualification in the United States. The milestone allowed helicopter pilots to receive credit toward pilot ratings for training in the qualified simulator. The Zurich-area company's H125 simulator was developed with Airbus Helicopters.

The system combines a VR panoramic view, a six-degree-of-freedom motion platform, a full-size cockpit replica and pose tracking. Its training scope includes engine failures, instrument approaches and challenging manoeuvres such as sling-load operations. The FAA evaluated the device under its Part 60 requirements. The qualification added US regulatory recognition to Loft Dynamics' existing European qualification, extending the use of its simulation technology beyond demonstration into recognised pilot training.

Zurich-based Loft Dynamics announced USD 20 million in its first institutional financing round, alongside its rebranding from VRM Switzerland. Craft Ventures, Sky Dayton and Up Ventures backed the company, which planned to expand internationally, particularly in the United States, and support additional aircraft types. Existing customers included Airbus Helicopters, Air Zermatt and several helicopter operators and training providers.

Its simulators combine a virtual reality headset, a full-scale cockpit and a six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform. This allows pilots to practise flight procedures and emergencies without using an aircraft. The financing followed European aviation regulator authorization for its Airbus H125 training device in May 2022, giving the company a basis for expanding simulator-based training with recognized training credit.

Disney Research Studios and ETH Zurich researchers presented FRAN, a neural method for changing a person's apparent age in video while preserving identity and expression. The system was trained using synthetic images of faces at different ages, addressing the difficulty of assembling real photographs of the same people across decades. Its image-to-image network applies age-related changes while retaining details needed for visual-effects work.

The research focused on consistency across video frames and robustness to variations in viewpoint, lighting and facial expression. It also provided controls for artists to adjust the effect locally rather than accepting a single automatic result for the entire face. Published as production-ready face re-aging research, FRAN gave visual-effects artists a tool for applying consistent age changes while retaining control of the final appearance.

VRM Switzerland, the company later renamed Loft Dynamics, announced the qualification of its Airbus H125 virtual-reality simulator as an EASA Flight Training Device Level 3. Developed with Airbus Helicopters, the device was installed at Norwegian operator Helitrans. It combines a virtual cockpit environment with physical controls and a motion platform so pilots can practise helicopter procedures in a compact simulator.

The qualification makes the device usable for specified training and checking requirements, including scenarios that are difficult or risky to repeat in an aircraft. The H125 FTD Level 3 qualification followed the company's earlier approval for its Robinson R22 device. The Zurich-area developer was still operating under the VRM Switzerland name when this announcement was published.