Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

EASA has issued a <a href="https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/downloads/137722/en">special-information paper</a> dealing with the validation of new generation flight simulation training devices (FSTD)—including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)—that eventually paves the way for approval and use of these devices, particularly with regard to eVTOL pilot training.&nbsp;
The agency notes that&nbsp;“existing certification specifications (so-called Primary Reference Documents (PRD)) to evaluate and qualify FSTDs for pilot training—CS-FSTD(A) issue 2 and CS-FSTD(H) Initial issue—cannot serve or not entirely serve as a qualification basis. Following a gap analysis, they have to be amended or modified by special conditions (SCs). The definition and use of SCs is a faster way to amend the existing certification specifications than an update by a standard rulemaking process.”&nbsp;This includes FSTD special conditions for using head-mounted displays (HMD) combined with a reduced envelope motion platform.
EASA already has evaluated and approved these devices for use in the Robinson R22 Beta II and Airbus Helicopters H125. In April 2021,&nbsp;EASA has granted the first certificate for a rotorcraft VR-based FSTD to VRM Switzerland (now Loft Dynamics). The FSTD is qualified as flight and navigation procedures trainer level II for the Robinson R22 Beta II. Approval for the VRM H125 device was received shortly thereafter and has proved popular with a wide variety of operators, including Helitrans and Air Zermatt.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

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New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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