The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has granted the first certificate for a Virtual Reality (VR)-based Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD).
The device, for rotorcraft pilots, enhances safety by opening the possibility for practicing risky maneuvers in a virtual environment. This addresses a key risk area in rotorcraft operations, where statistics show that around 20% of accidents occur during training flights. The device was developed and built by VRM Switzerland (VRMotion).
The suitability of the VR-concept was verified through a training evaluation program involving pilots from industry and aviation authorities, including helicopter flight instructors and test pilots. This evaluation confirmed the suitability of the VR-concept for training purposes, particularly for cases such as autorotation, hovering and slope landing where exact height perception and wide field of view are required.
As this is the first VR-based FSTD qualification, the process applied by EASA had to be adapted to ensure an equivalent safety level compliant with the FSTD certification specifications. EASA applied Special Conditions from the existing regulations that take account of the specificities of the new technology adapted to cockpit, display and motion systems.
The FSTD is qualified as Flight and Navigation Procedures Trainer (FNPT) level II for a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter, the most used helicopter worldwide for the initial training of helicopter pilots.
