FutureFlight
VertX Aero Prepares To Open Dedicated eVTOL Pilot Training Center
The facility in Ireland will include an eVTOL aircraft flight simulator using virtual and augmented reality technology. It's part of the new venture's plans to provide airline-grade training for eVTOL flight crew.
Matt Thurber flying the Joby simulator
Pilots for new eVTOL aircraft will use simulators for training, such as this Joby Aviation system developed for its planned four-passenger vehicle and demonstrated here by AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber. (Photo: Joby Aviation)

Aviation training group ASG has joined with drone operations support group Avtrain and aerospace investor VectorCap to establish what it says will be Europe’s first approved flight school for eVTOL aircraft pilots. The new VertX Aero venture, which is opening a dedicated training facility in Ireland, estimates that as many as 50,000 eVTOL pilots may be needed by 2030 and aims to start training them by early 2023.

According to the company, it wants to support manufacturers and operators of both piloted eVTOL aircraft and remotely piloted vehicles and also be involved in the development of training standards. It will provide in-person and online training and will handle pilot appraisal and checks and help operators to maintain the requirements of their EASA commercial air operator certificates.