Loft Dynamics Launches World’s First H145 Multi-Pilot VR Simulator; Babcock Among First Operators to Commit

United Kingdom — Loft Dynamics, the leader in virtual reality (VR) pilot training, announced the release of the world's first Airbus H145 Multi-Pilot VR Simulator. Now commercially available to operators and training organizations worldwide, the simulator allows H145 pilots and crews to train together in VR for the first time, expanding access to advanced multi-crew training on one of the world's most widely used helicopter platforms.

Babcock France, the country’s largest helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operator, is one of the first operators to commit to the newly released platform. The company signed a letter of intent at the Farnborough International Airshow for the planned deployment of France’s first H145 VR simulator, which would give H145-qualified Babcock pilots greater access to frequent, mission-focused training.

“The aviation industry faces a growing mismatch: demand for highly trained crews is rising, but access to advanced helicopter simulation remains limited,” said Sebastien Borel, CEO of Loft Dynamics. “The H145 supports a large global community flying some of aviation’s most demanding missions, yet operators have never had a way to train entire crews together in virtual reality. Our H145 Multi-Pilot VR Simulator changes that by making realistic, aircraft-specific multi-crew training accessible enough to become a regular part of how pilots and crews build proficiency. Babcock France’s early commitment carries real weight. It shows that immersive VR is moving beyond an emerging training option and becoming infrastructure that major operators can build into their long-term H145 training strategies.”

“The H145 multi-pilot VR simulator is a game-changer for operational safety,” said Romain Trapp, Executive Vice President Customer Support and Services at Airbus Helicopters. “By bringing advanced, accessible training directly to the doorstep of major operators like Babcock, it allows crews to train together frequently and with total precision. We are thrilled to see our partners adopting this immersive technology to enhance crew coordination where it matters most."

Developed in close collaboration with Airbus Helicopters, the simulator enables pilots and crew members to train together in a shared virtual environment for normal, abnormal and emergency procedures. It is built using flight dynamics, systems data and helicopter software provided directly by Airbus Helicopters, and was rigorously tested and validated throughout development by Airbus pilots. The simulator replicates the aircraft's aerodynamics and performance characteristics, allowing operators to train using the same procedures they follow during flight operations.

The system combines a six-degrees-of-freedom full-motion platform, a virtual, full-scale cockpit replica and a 360-degree panoramic field of view to create a highly realistic training experience. It also supports repeated training on complex scenarios that would be difficult, costly or impractical to conduct in an aircraft, including license-related training such as initial type ratings, multi-crew cooperation and instrument training, as well as recurrent training and checking for H145 operators. 

Babcock France plans to use the simulator across its H145 training program, with a strong focus on mission rehearsal and specialized HEMS and search-and-rescue operations. The company also intends to make simulator capacity available to operators and pilots across France and neighboring countries, helping address the growing shortage of H145 simulator access in the region.

“Our mission is to ensure our crews are fully prepared for the complex and critical operations they perform every day,” said Pierre Basquin, Chief Executive Aviation and CEO of Babcock France. “Loft Dynamics’ H145 Multi-Pilot VR Simulator will significantly enhance our training capabilities by enabling more frequent, realistic and collaborative training for pilots and technical crew members. It will strengthen operational readiness, support the highest standards of safety and performance, and expand access to advanced H145 training for operators across France and the region.”

Babcock France operates Airbus H145 helicopters and has more than 60 pilots qualified on the type. From 21 HEMS bases across France, its ambulance-configured helicopter fleet provides essential air medical support to hospitals and emergency response networks, completing more than 11,000 missions annually and ensuring patients receive critical care as quickly as possible.

About Loft Dynamics
Loft Dynamics AG is the global leader in virtual reality (VR) pilot training, and the only company with VR simulators qualified by the FAA, EASA and JCAB. Trusted by Alaska Airlines, Airbus Helicopters, the Los Angeles Police Department, and more, we serve the aviation ecosystem, including commercial airlines, eVTOLs, and diverse helicopter operators, as well as schools, OEMs, governments, and regulators. Our mission is to make high-quality, immersive pilot training more accessible, affordable and scalable than ever before. We produce full-motion VR simulators that are roughly 10 times smaller and significantly more cost-effective than legacy simulators. We also provide a connected suite of solutions that integrate our simulators worldwide, including at-home training kits, virtual instruction from the world's top pilots and AI-driven, data-rich training intelligence. Loft Dynamics is leading a global paradigm shift in pilot training and powering the next generation of highly skilled pilots.

About Babcock International
Babcock in France is a leading provider of critical and complex engineering services, supporting national defense, civil security, and critical infrastructure. Operating across multiple military and civil bases, Babcock manages aerial emergency medical services, advanced pilot training, and the operational availability of government aircraft fleets. Working in close partnership with the French Ministry of Armed Forces, Sécurité Civile, and Gendarmerie Nationale, Babcock focuses on safeguarding communities and delivering mission-critical readiness.

Source: Loft Dynamics