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

France’s civil aviation regulator (DGAC) has approved Airbus Helicopters as the first OEM to offer type rating training using a combination of the Loft Dynamics virtual reality (VR) flight simulator and the helicopter. In 2023, EASA qualified the Loft VR simulator for “all aspects of pilot training and checking,” according to the company.
“Now, France’s DGAC has become the first national authority to act on this new framework, approving a type rating program that uses a certified VR FSTD [flight simulation training device] and the aircraft—without requiring a full flight simulator,” according to Loft Dynamics.
“Helicopter training and checking has long faced a painful trade-off: rely on limited-access, cost-prohibitive full-flight simulators, or conduct high-risk maneuvers in the aircraft itself,” said Loft Dynamics CEO Fabi Riesen. “One-third of all helicopter accidents occur during training and checking—that tells you everything.
“With this approval, Airbus, EASA, and DGAC have shown how we begin to reverse that statistic and what the future of safer, more accessible pilot training looks like. This milestone proves that our VR technology is ready to support complex certification programs—including with one of the world’s most respected OEMs. It also builds on the important regulatory groundwork laid by EASA and reflects the bold leadership of Airbus in turning the vision of safer, more scalable training into reality.”

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

Loft Dynamics VR Flight Simulator Approved for Type Rating Program

Training includes flights in simulator and in the real AS350B3e helicopter

France’s civil aviation regulator has approved Airbus Helicopters to offer type rating training using the Loft Dynamics VR flight simulator and the helicopter.

Loft Dynamics VR Sim Approved for Type Rating Program

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

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.

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.

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Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Commercial helicopter deliveries jump to 29 units as FLRAA program drives military growth

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

In this article

AS350/H125

Loft Dynamics

Airbus Helicopters

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