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

Airbus Helicopters BK117, EC145, and H145 series

Matt Thurber

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which plays a key role in manufacturing, support, and training for the Airbus BK117/H145 helicopter series in the Asia-Pacific, will be the first to deploy Loft Dynamics’ new H145 Multi-Pilot virtual-reality (VR) simulator in the region. Loft Dynamics developed the simulator in collaboration with Airbus Helicopters.
The Loft VR simulators feature a six-degree-of-freedom full-motion platform, a virtual full-scale cockpit, and, with the trainee wearing a VR headset, 360-degree views of the helicopter interior, avionics, and the outside world. As a multi-pilot simulator, according to Loft Dynamics, the device enables pilots and crew to train together, and instructors and trainees can safely replicate flight scenarios and emergencies.
“As an Airbus Helicopters-approved training center, our responsibility is to provide operators with the highest standard of H145 training available,” said Hitoshi Kawaguchi, head of the BK117/H145 program at Kawasaki. “Loft Dynamics’ H145 Multi-Pilot VR simulator significantly expands our ability to do just that.&nbsp;
“By combining immersive multi-crew training with OEM-provided aircraft data, we can give pilots more opportunities to build proficiency, prepare for complex missions, and train using the same procedures they use in the aircraft. Adding this capability to our training center advances our long-term plans for advanced H145/BK117 training and allows us to serve more operators across Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region.”

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In this article

BK117/EC145/H145

Loft Dynamics

Airbus Helicopters

More In Training and Workforce

AIN Editor-in-chief Matt Thurber To Retire in October

Four-decade career in aviation journalism culminated in leading AIN’s editorial team

Pilatus PC-7 MKX Basic Trainer Makes First Flight

The Dutch air force will receive eight of the two-seaters in 2027

AINsight: You Can (and Should) Always Go Around

Why not teach new pilots to go around before learning how to land?

NBAA-BACE Taking Shape with Expanded Program, Most OEMs

Most major manufacturers will be at static this year

GAO Wants High Schoolers To Take Mechanic General Test

First step toward licensing could encourage youth to seek aviation careers

Saab Shaking Up Gripen Training with Project Skynapse

Evolving AI-augmented simulator-based approach to ‘gamify’ learning

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