Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Swiss helicopter simulator manufacturer Loft Dynamics has opened its North American headquarters and virtual reality (VR) flight simulator training hub at a building adjacent to the ramp at Santa Monica Airport in Southern California. The full-motion Loft Airbus H125 VR flight simulation training device (FSTD) combines real helicopter controls, avionics, and switches with a VR view of the outside world to accurately replicate real-world flying.
Loft's FSTD costs a fraction of the price of a full-flight simulator and fills a niche for training helicopter pilots at a time when slots at traditional training centers are hard to find and much more costly. The Loft device can train pilots in maneuvers that are too dangerous to attempt in a real helicopter and a variety of realistic scenarios such as a medevac flight to a challenging location surrounded by vehicles and people.
The company also announced that the Los Angeles Police Department is buying a Loft H125 simulator for in-house pilot training. “Loft Dynamics’ sims use cloud-based software, allowing us to add new and applicable training scenarios regularly,” said LAPD Air Support division chief pilot Kevin Gallagher. “Additionally, the sim’s full-motion technology precisely replicates the motion of a helicopter in-flight, and the visual technology accurately simulates instrument meteorological conditions. These features are critical to providing our 50+ pilots, who fly around the clock, with the type of conditions and maneuvers they often encounter. With the sim onsite, our pilots can regularly and safely train to maintain proficiency in these essential skills.”
“We recognized a significant unmet demand to experience our technology in person in the U.S.,” said Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics. “Establishing a physical space became the obvious solution, making it more accessible to fly our sims, practice a range of maneuvers, and fully grasp the power of VR technology in this capacity."
The Loft facility is located on the southeast side of Santa Monica Airport on Donald Douglas Loop, in the building that used to house the Typhoon restaurant.

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

Loft Dynamics Opens Santa Monica Virtual Reality Simulator Center

The full-motion VR simulator costs one-twentieth the price of a full-flight simulator

Loft's FSTD costs less than a full-flight simulator and fills a niche for training helicopter pilots while slots at traditional training centers are hard to find. 

Loft Dynamics Opens Santa Monica VR Sim Center

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

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.

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Hanneke Weitering

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Charles Alcock

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.

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance 

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

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.

In this article

AS350/H125

Loft Dynamics

Airbus Helicopters

More In Rotorcraft

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance for Future Helicopters

Originally developed for the U.S. military, X2 technology is in search of a new customer.

Bell 505 Makes Asia-Pacific Debut with Aichi Police

Joins fleet of longtime operator of Bell 206s and 412s

Enstrom Delivers 480B to Africa’s Safomar Aviation

Distributor will use the helicopter to introduce customers to its capabilities

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN