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Loft Dynamics

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Loft Dynamics AG
IndustryAerospace
Founded2016; 9 years ago (2016) in Switzerland
FounderFabi Riesen
Headquarters
Switzerland
ProductsFlight simulators
Number of employees
90+
Websitewww.loftdynamics.com

Loft Dynamics, formerly VRM Switzerland, is a Swiss aviation simulation and training company based in Dübendorf, a suburb of Zurich. It was established in 2016 by Fabi Riesen, who serves as the CEO. Loft Dynamics produces the only virtual reality aircraft simulators in the world to receive formal regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).[1][2] The company has been cited as a "global pioneer in digital aviation simulation."[3]

Loft Dynamics' VR training solutions span rotorcraft, eVTOLs, and fixed-wing and serve a range of operators, OEMs, schools and more—including Alaska Airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration, Airbus Helicopters, Los Angeles Police Department, Marshall University, Air Greenland, and Air Zermatt.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

Loft Dynamics states that its mission is to “revolutionize global aviation by providing best-in-class pilot training that is safe, accessible, and affordable.”

Loft Dynamics simulators use a combination of VR technology and pose tracking, a full-scale replica cockpit, and a motion platform to simulate real-world flight. This enables pilots to practice complex or dangerous flight maneuvers and realistically train for a range of operations and scenarios in many different environments.[11]


History

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Loft Dynamics was founded in 2016 by Fabi Riesen, a Swiss electrical engineer and pilot who continues to serve as company's CEO.[12]

The Robinson R22 Virtual Reality Training Device, developed by Loft Dynamics (formerly VRM Switzerland)

In April 2021, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved Loft Dynamics' Robinson R22 flight simulator for FTD Level 3 qualified flight training.[13] and credit for five hours of nighttime flying.[14]

The company entered into a commercial partnership with Airbus Helicopters at the 2022 HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas, Texas.

In May 2022, EASA qualified the company’s Airbus H125 simulator, which was officially launched at Helitrans in Norway.[15][11]

In July 2022, the company extended its partnership with Airbus Helicopters to develop a training device for the twin-engine Airbus H145.[16]

In December 2022 Loft Dynamics announced that it had secured $20 million in venture financing from investors such as David O' Sacks's Craft Ventures, Sky Dayton and UP Partners to expand internationally.[17][18]

In July 2023, Loft Dynamics announced a partnership with the FAA to test its VR simulators for helicopter training in the US.[19] Two Loft Dynamics simulators were installed at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in New Jersey, where they are being used to work toward the safety and efficiency goals of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).[20][21] In late 2023, the simulator was installed at Blackcomb Helicopters in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.[3]

In February 2024, Loft Dynamics opened its new North American headquarters and VR flight simulator training center at Santa Monica Airport. The training center features a Loft Dynamics Airbus H125 VR flight simulation training device (FSTD). That same month, the company announced a partnership with the Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division, which purchased an Airbus H125 simulator to train its pilots. Loft Dynamics has several other North American partners, including Blackcomb Helicopters in Vancouver, Colorado Highland Helicopters, and Marshall University in West Virginia.<ref==>Thurber, Matt (8 February 2024). "Loft Dynamics Opens Santa Monica VR Sim Center". Aviation International News. Retrieved 29 December 2024.</ref>

In May 2024, Loft Dynamics formed a partnership with Dufour Aerospace, founded by Air Zermatt rescue pilot Thomas Pfammatter, to build the Aero3 VR electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) simulator, the first ever for eVTOL training.[22][23]

In June 2024, the company received regulatory approval from EASA for a VR helicopter external sling load (HESLO) training feature, the first of its kind.[24]

In July 2024, the FAA qualified Loft Dynamics’ H125 simulator, making it the first VR device to receive such qualification in the United States. Two Loft Dynamics simulators were also installed at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in New Jersey, where they are being used to work toward the safety and efficiency goals of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).[25]


Leadership

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Loft Dynamics has two cofounders: Fabi Riesen and Christian Marty. Riesen is the CEO of Loft Dynamics,[12] and Christian Marty is the CTO.[26] In 2024, Loft Dynamics added former FAA administrators Randy Babbitt and Michael Huerta to its Advisory Board.

Technology

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Loft Dynamics uses state-of-the-art virtual reality technology,[27] employing cloud-based software to enable pilots of all skill levels[3] to practice complex or dangerous flight maneuvers and undergo realistic training for missions, and potentially landmarks all across the world.[3] The ISO 9001-certified simulators, which are ten times smaller than traditional flight simulators, are equipped with "three-dimensional high-resolution panoramic view, dynamic six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform and a full-scale replica cockpit with a unique pose tracking system".[11] The Virtual Reality headsets, made by Finnish company Varjo,[28][29] feature a "90Hz frame refresh rate, a 2 x 8 megapixel resolution and a 30 pixel-per-degree display".[11] One of the major advantages of the VR simulators is a 360-degree field of view.[30][31]

As of April 2025, Loft Dynamics has three active helicopter simulators: the Airbus H 125, Robinson R22, and Airbus H 145 simulator and is developing its eVTOL simulator alongside Dufour Aerospace and its 737 VR simulator alongside Boeing and Alaska Airlines.[32] [33]

References

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  1. ^ Lynch, Kerry (31 July 2024). "Loft Dynamics Secures FAA Recognition for VR Flight Sim". AIN. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  2. ^ "EASA approves the first Virtual Reality (VR) based Flight Simulation Training Device". EASA. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Snowden, Scott (7 February 2024). "Virtual reality flight simulation 'hub' opens at Santa Monica Airport". Santa Monica Daily Press. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  4. ^ Thurber, Matt (11 March 2025). "Alaska Airlines To Usher In New Pilot Training Era With Full-Motion Boeing 737 VR Simulators". Simple Flying. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  5. ^ Bogaisky, Jeremy (31 July 2024). "Pilots Are Learning To Fly Helicopters In VR, Thanks To This Swiss Startup". Forbes. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Airbus Helicopters Training Academy continues development of virtual reality simulators in training". Airbus. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  7. ^ Thurber, Matt (10 March 2025). "LAPD Air Unit Moves to Virtual Training". AIN. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Marshall University unveils helicopter for aviation program". Marshall University. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  9. ^ "Air Greenland and Loft Dynamics partner to bring VR flight training to Greenland". Vertical Magazine. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  10. ^ "Air Zermatt chooses VRM Switzerland's H125 trainer". Vertical Magazine. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d "VRM Switzerland and Airbus Helicopters work together to qualify under EASA regulations the world's first H125 virtual reality simulator". Airbus.com. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Fabi Riesen". Front Lines Media. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  13. ^ "VRM Switzerland receives EASA's first approval for a VR flight simulator". Vertical Magazine. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  14. ^ "EASA Approves VR Device for Helicopter Flight Training". Aviation International News. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  15. ^ Karlin, Susan (27 February 2024). "Can Loft Dynamics' VR Flight Simulator help solve America's pilot shortage?". Fast Company. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Airbus Helicopters and VRM Switzerland to develop the world's first H145 Virtual Reality simulator". Airbus.com. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  17. ^ Carey, Bill (5 December 2022). "Loft Dynamics Raises $20M For Training Technology". Aviation Week Network. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  18. ^ Sawers, Paul (5 December 2022). "Loft Dynamics raises $20M to tackle pilot shortage with VR training". TechCrunch. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  19. ^ Ewers, Gideon (2023-07-13). "FAA selects Loft Dynamics for VR simulation evaluation". RotorHub International. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  20. ^ "Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  21. ^ "FAA to Test Virtual Reality Headsets for Helicopter Pilot Training". Bloomberg. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  22. ^ "Loft Dynamics geht Partnerschaft mit Dufour Aerospace ein" (in German). Booster Magazine. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  23. ^ Kauchak, Marty (24 June 2024). "Solidifying the eVTOL Pilot Training Enterprise Foundation". Halldale.com. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  24. ^ Ewers, Gideon (12 June 2024). "Loft Dynamics gains EASA approval for sling load training". RotorHub International. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  25. ^ Bogaisky, Jeremy (31 July 2024). "Pilots Are Learning To Fly Helicopters In VR, Thanks To This Swiss Startup". Forbes. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
  26. ^ Rogers, David (26 April 2021). "VRM Switzerland receives EASA approval for VR-based R22 trainer". RotorHub International. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  27. ^ "Can You Fly a Real Helicopter After an Hour in a VR Simulator?". Bloomberg. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Varjo's XR Tech Advances Pilot Training In U.S. And Ukraine". Forbes. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  29. ^ "Finnish firm Varjo's VR and XR technology revolutionizes pilot training in the U.S." Helsinki Times. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Pilots Are Learning To Fly Helicopters In VR, Thanks To This Swiss Startup". Forbes Middle East. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  31. ^ "Pilotos entrenan en el manejo de helicópteros utilizando realidad virtual, gracias a la innovadora startup suiza" (in Spanish). 4cnews.mx. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  32. ^ "Neuer Flugsimulator für Hubschrauber jetzt FAA-Zulassung" (in German). Flieger Magazine. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  33. ^ "Loft Dynamics Unveils H145 Virtual Reality Simulator". Aviation Week. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
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