Market Intelligence: -General Aviation
Varjo Selected as the Headset Technology Provider for Mixed Reality Military Training Project
Varjo, the global leader in professional-grade VR/XR hardware and software, announced it has been selected to provide head-mounted display (HMD) technology for the U.S. Army’s Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer (RVCT) Air Program. The Air program is centered around providing a portable training capability for three different Helicopters: Apache, Chinook & Blackhawk and is part of the U.S. Army’s efforts to create a synthetic training environment (STE) that can be utilized regardless of location.
RVCT is an adaptable hardware system that connects to the STE to activate collective, mixed-reality training scenarios. The RVCT will now include a special variant of Varjo XR-3 Focal Edition headsets that will enable squads to navigate exercises using actual and computer-generated movements.
With the enhanced Varjo XR-3 Focal Edition capabilities, U.S. Army pilots will leverage Varjo’s human-eye resolution displays augmented with video pass-through technology to experience a fully immersive training environment where they can interact with physical controls in real-time. The headset has advanced video pass-through capabilities, performs well in dark and light environments, allows for deep immersion for long periods of time and also can simulate night-flying scenarios. RVCT also leverages Varjo’s high-security offering as the headsets are Finland manufactured TAA-certified products and do not have radio frequency.
“We’re proud to work with the U.S. Army in creating the world’s first video pass-through mixed reality-based air training in this quality and scale,” said Seppo Aaltonen, Chief Commercial Officer of Varjo. “Mixed reality technologies can lower overall defense training costs, increase training flexibility, and improve adaptability to any operational environment.”
Varjo will work closely with the integrator partner Cole Engineering to further improve the core technologies and implement solutions into mission rehearsal.
“We’re thrilled to work with Varjo to scale the level of training immersion based on specific user needs and requirements without impacting the hardware design of the training systems,” said Eric Carr, Program Director at Cole Engineering Services Inc.
The RVCT program is one of the over 70+ immersive defense training programs featuring Varjo’s hardware and software solutions worldwide.
About Varjo
Varjo (pronounced var-yo) makes revolutionary VR/XR hardware and software that together allow you to see and experience virtual and augmented content just as clearly as you see the analog world around us. Our virtual and mixed reality headsets take you to another level of performance and emotional immersion – recreating the exact feeling and conditions of real life, allowing you to perform better and learn faster.
About CESI
Cole Engineering Services, Inc. (CESI), a By Light Company, is a premier provider of modeling and simulation (M&S) training solutions. Since 2004, CESI has been at the forefront of developing, maintaining, and integrating simulation-based training, serious gaming, technical services, training, and other support in live, virtual, constructive, and gaming (LVCG) domains. CESI also designs, builds, and runs infrastructure, platforms, applications, and processes that enable cyber training for the integrated multi-domain force. Our vision is to become a worldwide full spectrum LVCG and cyber training/analysis developer, integrator, and services provider.
Source: Varjo
Photo Credit: Varjo
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Double Certification (EASA/FAA) License Announced By Training Organisation for Dispatchers
Switzerland based International Flight Operations Academy (IFOA) is unveiled the remarkable partnership with JESTER Flight Dispatch School, marking a pivotal moment in European Flight Dispatcher education. This collaboration brings together expertise and innovation, promising an unparalleled learning journey for aspiring future Flight Dispatchers in Italy and beyond.
JESTER Flight Dispatch School will be the sole global organization to offer a unique Double Certification EASA/FAA on the Italian market.
“This partnership fosters collaboration over rivalry, amplifying strengths and resources to achieve mutual growth and innovation. Through this alliance, students can expect a harmonious blend of cutting-edge curriculum and hands-on experience, perfectly tailored to meet the dynamic demands of the modern global aviation industry,” said Vincent Incammicia, MSc.
“This partnership is a game-changer for flight dispatcher education. JESTER Flight Dispatch School, thanks to IFOA, will offer a dual EASA/FAA certification, empowering the next aviation professionals with unmatched confidence. Together with the International Flight Operations Academy (IFOA), we’re setting a new standard and preparing skilled professionals to shape the future of flight operations,” said Samuele Figini.
With a shared commitment to excellence, this partnership elevates aviation education standards. It paves the way for a new era of skilled aviation professionals poised to shape the future of flight operations.
Source: International Flight Operations Academy
Photo Credit: International Flight Operations Academy
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US Flight and Aviation Maintenance Training Organisation, Thrust Institute of Maintenance, Secures FAA Approval
Texas, United States based flight and aircraft maintenance training organisation, Thurst Flight and Thrust Institute of Maintenance received its official certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approving its Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) school. The inaugural class will be on November 6. Thrust Institute of Maintenance is located at Addison Airport in Addison, Texas.
Source: Thrust Institute of Maintenance
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Construction on Track at Training Aircraft Manufacturer’s Textron Aviation’s Expanded Parts Distribution Facility
Progress continues on schedule for Textron Aviation’s parts and distribution expansion in Wichita, Kansas. All flooring, exterior walls, windows and roof are in place for the company’s 180,000 square-foot parts warehouse expansion. Now, the team is focused on interior finishes, including wiring, painting and preparing the space for the thousands of Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker parts the company stocks and ships to support customers around the world.
The project, which broke ground in October 2022, is on track to be completed by the end of the year. The new footprint includes additional room for parts storage, warehouse space, offices and dedicated customer support analysts.
Textron Aviation has seven distribution centers and 17 stockrooms around the globe. This Wichita location houses more than 120,000 parts and employs a team of more than 350 people to support distribution operations. This major growth in the company’s parts distribution operations will better support customers who own and operate aircraft manufactured by Textron Aviation.
Source: Textron Aviation
Photo Credit: Textron Aviation (shown as meta image)
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U.S. Department of State Chooses Embry-Riddle to Train Drone Pilots
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has been contracted to assist in the development of curriculum and online training for small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (sUAS) operators for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office of Aviation (also known as the Air Wing).
“The government has training standards and robust administrative policies and procedures already in place globally for everything that is crewed — but nothing that is uncrewed,” said Dr. Scott Burgess, associate professor of Aviation and principal investigator on the project.
That’s where Embry-Riddle comes in. An established leader in uncrewed systems application and safety — Embry-Riddle became the first academic institution in the world to receive the Trusted Operator certification from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), in 2018 — the university will lend its expertise in designing and administering a standardized training program that could potentially be used by government employees, law enforcement entities and civil aviation authorities all over the world.
“Their intent is to standardize sUAS training, certification and standardization globally,” Burgess added. “Our job is to offer our existing sUAS professional education, thus enabling their crews to perform to a set standard, as well as assist in setting conditions that provide a level of knowledge, skills and abilities equivalent or surpassing established international sUAS crew standards.”
The final step will be to design courseware in conjunction with the Air Wing and offer training to students, earning them an industry certification in sUAS.
“The Worldwide Campus Department of Flight has worked aggressively over the past six years to raise-the-bar for UAS operational integration, training and standardization into various commercial and governmental disciplines, and the federal government came to us for a reason,” Burgess added. “They have been very open to our ideas, due to the fact that our strength in these areas is combined with our knowledge in aviation safety. The DoS has also encouraged further ideas toestablish a noteworthy program.”
Those new ideas will be mined from a wealth of industry experience and various projects led by Embry-Riddle to help push drone technology forward. In 2021, for instance, the university earned a first-of-its-kind waiver to begin training aspiring drone pilots remotely through online video streaming platforms. The Department ofFlight has a long history of supporting government agencies, such as the FBI, Daytona Beach Police Department, South Florida Water Management District, Conservancy of SW Florida, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and the Government of the Bahamas. Around the same time, Embry-Riddle was awarded nearly $2 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to collect risk-assessment data that will help integrate UAS safely into the National Airspace System.
Researchers at Embry-Riddle also continue to leverage uncrewed systems in creative ways to solve real-world problems. Some of those applications are safety-focused — such as using drones to improve tactical response against active shooters, or deploying them into hurricanes to more accurately predict storm developments. Other applications might surprise you — such as using drones to map ancient cities.
“We are very pleased to partner with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau ofInternational Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Air Wing in this endeavor,” said Dr. John R. Watret, FRAeS, chancellor of Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus. “As leaders in UAS education programs, we are extremely well equipped to support these operators and ensure they receive the highest level of training.”
Burgess is leading the project along with fellow drone experts from the College ofAviation at Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus: David Thirtyacre, Department of Flight chair, and associate professors Joe Cerreta and Anthony Galante.
About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Reporters worldwide contact Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for content experts in all aspects of aviation, aviation business, aerospace, engineering and STEM-related fields. Our faculty experts specialize in unmanned and autonomous systems, security and intelligence, air traffic and airport management, astronomy, human factors psychology, meteorology, spaceflight operations, urban air mobility and much more.
Embry-Riddle educates 31,300+ students at its residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona, at approximately 110 Worldwide Campus locations and through online degree programs. In 2023, U.S. News & World Report named Embry-Riddle Worldwide the nation’s No. 2 provider of online bachelor’s degree programs. The university has ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in this category every year since 2016. Our residential campuses hold multiple Top 10 rankings. All of our campuses have been ranked Best for Veterans.
Source: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Press Release
Photo Credit: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University