Market Intelligence: -Suppliers

Flight Simulator Manufacturer HAVELSAN Completes Production of 6 Flight Training Devices for Airline Customer

HAVELSAN has finalized the production of six Flight Training Devices (FTD Level 1) for a prominent airline customer. This collection, featuring a mix of Airbus A320 and Boeing B737MAX models, is designed to meet the airline’s specific training requirements. The devices are scheduled for delivery to the airline’s training centers, significantly enhancing its training capacity.

This production milestone aligns with HAVELSAN’s 2024 initiative to expand support for airlines and training centers in meeting the increasing demands of pilot training. In response to industry needs, HAVELSAN has scaled its production capability, now able to manufacture up to eight commercial aircraft full flight simulators annually. This growth underscores HAVELSAN’s commitment to contributing to global aviation safety through advanced training solutions.

Beyond boosting production, HAVELSAN has introduced flexible solutions, enabling airlines and training centers to integrate new training devices into their infrastructure seamlessly. The company emphasizes industry-leading after-sales support, ensuring continuous, reliable service for its clients. This commitment includes discussions with customers about potential long-term partnerships to sustain and expand training operations.

With a 40-year legacy in the simulation industry, HAVELSAN continues to uphold high standards for Flight Simulator Training Devices both domestically and internationally. HAVELSAN remains committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that improve pilot training efficiency and effectiveness, addressing the evolving needs of its global clients.

Source: HAVELSAN

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Loft Dynamics Unveils VR Instruction from World-Renowned Pilots to Increase Access and Quality of Training, Elevate Safety Standards and Address the Pilot Shortage

  • Virtual Demonstration Mode Enhances Training Quality and Safety at Scale for Aircraft OEMs, Operators and Pilots
  • New VR Simulations for Night Vision and Whiteout/Brownout Conditions Make High-Risk Scenario Training Safe
  • Pilots Gain Personalized Insights to Track Progress, Accelerate Skill Development and Gamify Their Training Experience

Zurich, Switzerland —Loft Dynamics, the global leader in qualified virtual reality (VR) flight simulation training devices (FSTDs), today announced a suite of industry-shaping features to more efficiently and effectively address the global pilot shortage and high rates of training-related accidents. Central to this is LofTWIN, a virtual demonstration mode that digitizes flight instruction from world-renowned pilots and instructors from aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This tool makes their expertise immersive, accessible, and scalable across Loft Dynamics’ global network of simulators. Additionally, Loft Dynamics is introducing new simulations—including Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) and Whiteout/Brownout conditions—that make skill- and scenario-based training safer and make simulations more realistic.

The Next-Gen Solution: Immersive Hardware and Instruction

“Our VR FSTDs have made realistic and safe pilot training drastically more accessible and affordable, but hardware alone isn’t enough,” said Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics. “The industry faces a global pilot shortage, pandemic-related retirements, and rising demand for air transport—issues compounded by the high costs and limited availability of safe yet effective training solutions. LofTWIN addresses these challenges on a new level by making world-class instruction more accessible and scalable. More than just a tool, LofTWIN is a powerful knowledge-sharing platform that captures and disseminates invaluable expertise to improve training for the next generation of exceptional pilots. It’s the first in a series of upcoming software innovations aimed at more comprehensively democratizing the best pilot training resources.” 

Introduction to LofTWIN

LofTWIN records and transforms expert flight instruction into an immersive VR experience for deployment across Loft Dynamics’ cloud-connected simulator fleet. Its ever-expanding catalog of demonstrations features legendary pilots and instructors, including Glenn White, an experienced EMS pilot and former factory instructor at Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters); Gerold Biner, former CEO of Air Zermatt and a rescue pilot in the Himalayas and the Alps; Scott Urschel, one of the world’s few aerobatic helicopter pilots; and Yann Guérin, head of pilot training at Airbus Helicopters. With LofTWIN, pilots build essential skills safely and more efficiently, while OEMs benefit from consistent and accurate demonstrations that lead to safer aircraft operations in real-world flight.

The Pilot and Operator Experience

Pilots and operators choose their scenario-based demonstration through Loft Dynamics’ training device, immersing themselves in a realistic VR cockpit with expert virtual instructors. The instructors’ movements are visually replicated by a full-body avatar that provides real-time guidance, while haptic feedback from the controls enhances the experience. After a LofTWIN demo session, pilots can apply learnings to their simulator training, where advanced eye and body tracking monitors responses during each maneuver. The data captured in these sessions equips pilots with insights to track progress over time and benchmark performance against experts. The gamified approach promotes regular skill development and helps usher in a new generation of digital-native pilots. Additionally, LofTWIN allows operators’ chief pilots and instructors to produce high-quality lessons in a standardized way, educating everyone in the organization more efficiently.

The Aircraft OEM Experience

For aircraft OEMs, now their chief instructors can easily record demonstrations on any Loft Dynamics simulator, allowing them to develop the most relevant and precise instruction and instantly deploy it to any Loft Dynamics training device worldwide. The instructors execute specific maneuvers in the simulator as they usually would, providing detailed commentary through the headset microphone. All audio, visuals, control movements, and force feedback during the session are captured, uploaded, and packaged into a shareable session.

“This technology is an important milestone for us,” said Yann Guérin, Head of Pilot Training at Airbus Helicopters. “LofTWIN lets us create instructor demonstrations. With just a push of a button, instructors can record their demo on the VR H125 simulator and instantly share it with their trainees. Thus, the training is much more consistent and efficient. Instructors are able to demonstrate and assist their trainees. Furthermore, these demos could be shared within the VR H125 instructor community, increasing training standardization and safety.”  

“LofTWIN also allows OEMs to monetize their expertise,” Riesen added. “For instance, Air Zermatt’s VR mountain rescue demo in whiteout conditions could be purchased by operators in Nepal training rescue pilots and uploaded to their Loft sim. This goes beyond just providing access to exceptional instruction; it connects people to the most relevant expertise available, helping us collectively improve pilot skills and safety.” 

Night Operations, Whiteouts and Brownouts Meet VR 

Loft Dynamics continuously develops new simulations of high-risk, complex environments that cannot be safely or accurately replicated in-flight or with other VR tools. This includes the NVG module, which simulates night flight and allows pilots to adjust NVG controls, such as goggle settings, as they would in the real world. Similarly, whiteout and brownout conditions are recreated in VR to elicit realistic physiological responses. Pilots can fine-tune environmental factors like sand and snow levels, enabling them to safely practice maintaining control with minimal visual cues.

About Loft Dynamics
Loft Dynamics AG is the global leader in qualified virtual reality flight simulation training devices (FSTD). It is the first and only VR FSTD qualified by the FAA and EASA. Equipped with a 3D high-resolution panoramic view, dynamic six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform, and full-scale replica cockpit with a unique pose tracking system, our revolutionary VR simulators provide a more immersive, realistic, customizable, and safe training experience. By offering a training solution 10 times smaller and significantly more cost-effective than legacy simulators, we enhance training accessibility and scalability, empowering highly skilled pilots to meet global demand. We serve leading manufacturers, airlines, operators, schools, and organizations worldwide. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and Zurich, Switzerland, our team comprises passionate engineers, developers, and aviation experts.

Source: Loft Dynamics
Photo Credit: Loft Dynamics

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer Elixir Aircraft Receives Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom Certification

Elixir Aircraft, a French manufacturer of training aircraft, has just been certified by the CAA (UK Civil Aviation Authority). Already certified by the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) in the CS-23 category (aircraft from 2 to 19 seats), the Elixir can now be operated under UK registration.

The CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) granted its certification to Elixir Aircraft. This new approval authorises Elixir Aircraft to deliver aircraft that are immediately operable in flight schools in the United Kingdom.

Some thirty Elixir aircraft are already in operation at French flight schools, including Airbus Flight Academy, others have been ordered by European pilot schools (Portugal, Spain, Greece, etc.).

British school Leading Edge Aviation is the latest customer to place an order at the beginning of October 2024 for its Spanish base. Other UK operators will be delivered very shortly.

Following this second certification, Elixir Aircraft is pursuing certification procedures all over the world, with priority given to FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approval, eagerly awaited by American customers who account for nearly 300 lines in the order book.

About Elixir Aircraft
Elixir Aircraft is a French aircraft manufacturer founded in 2015 to meet the challenges of global light aviation. Based in La Rochelle, it has over 150 employees and is recruiting massively. Elixir Aircraft designed and has been building a 4th-generation two-seater aircraft, certified EASA CS-23 since 2020. Elixir Aircraft uses technology from the world of competitive sailing, the “Carbon Oneshot” (in one piece), to simplify structures. More simplicity means fewer failures, so greater safety, but also less maintenance, and lower costs (estimates of savings of $50/h fuel and maintenance). At the end of 2021, Elixir Aircraft opened a new production site in Périgny, Charente Maritime, to bring production of all carbon parts in-house.

There are 27 Elixir aircraft currently in operation, with over 300 of the 4th-generation Elixir aircraft on the order book (firm orders, pre-orders and letters of intent). In June 2023, the French President announced a 13-million euro subsidy for Elixir Aircraft. In early 2024, Elixir Aircraft announced the closing of its development financing for the next 5 years, with a budget of 40 million euros. Elixir Aircraft is preparing to open a new 15,000 m2 facility in La Rochelle and another in Sarasota, Florida.

Source: Elixir Aircraft

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Global Pilot Training Group CAE to Increase Ownership Stake in SIMCOM Aviation Training Joint Venture and Extend Exclusive Business Aviation Training Agreement with Flexjet and its Affiliates

CAE announced that it will increase its ownership stake in its existing SIMCOM Aviation Training (SIMCOM) joint venture by purchasing a majority of SIMCOM shares from Volo Sicuro for USD $230 million, subject to customary adjustments, to be financed with CAE’s existing credit facility and cash on hand. As part of the transaction, Flexjet, LLC, a related party of Volo Sicuro, will retain a minority stake in SIMCOM following the closing, expected to take place in the coming days.

Additionally, CAE and SIMCOM will each extend their respective exclusive business aviation training services agreement with Flexjet and its affiliates by 5 years. This results in a remaining exclusivity period of 15 years for both agreements.

This significant organic investment will further solidify CAE’s presence in its core business aviation training market, increase recurring revenue streams, and reinforce its commitment to delivering world-class training solutions in business aviation. Its long-term exclusive training agreement with one of the world’s leading luxury private jet companies gives CAE even greater exposure to the rapidly growing fractional jet and charter aviation market. CAE expects this investment to be accretive to earnings and free cash flow in the first full-year post transaction.

“We are delighted to increase our investment in this core area and achieve majority ownership of SIMCOM to strengthen our position in the business aviation market, as well as extend our long-standing partnership with Flexjet, one of the leading and fastest growing private jet companies,” said Alexandre Prévost, Division President, Business Aviation. “This highlights our commitment to continuing to drive innovation and provide industry-leading technology to better serve our business aviation customers.”

“CAE has been a great partner over the years, consistently providing high-quality training and delivering a superior customer experience to all of our pilots,” said Flexjet CEO Mike Silvestro. “With this agreement, Flexjet’s 1,400+ pilots will continue to have access to state-of the-art facilities and experience world-class pilot training, enabling us to further enhance our pilots’ quality of life, both on the road, and during a pilot’s recurrent training. As demand for highly experienced, highly skilled pilots continues to rise, best-in-class training is essential to maintaining Flexjet’s unmatched safety standards. We look forward to our continued relationship and collaboration with CAE and SIMCOM long into the future.”

SIMCOM currently provides pilot training across multiple business aviation aircraft platforms, leveraging CAE’s innovative suite of training equipment, including CAE 7000XR Series full-flight simulators (FFSs) and CAE 400XR Series flight training devices (FTDs). SIMCOM operates four training centres in the United States, including its most recent state-of-the-art facility in Lake Nona, Florida.

About CAE
At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defence and security forces to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we’re everywhere customers need us to be with approximately 13,000 employees in more than 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts—the highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators as well as training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we’ll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.

About SIMCOM
A privately-owned, comprehensive learning institution, SIMCOM utilizes realistic simulator-based training to provide advanced aviation training services to professional pilots, owner-operators, Part 135 operators and maintenance personnel operating in general aviation, regional, military, government and cargo operations around the world.  SIMCOM currently operates 40+ simulators and flight training devices representative of a wide range of jet, turboprop and piston powered aircraft.  The company is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.

About Flexjet
Flexjet, Inc., a global leader in private aviation, first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995 and is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing and is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honored with 25 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, a 4AIR Bronze Sustainable Rating and is certified at Stage 2 with IS-BAO. Red Label by Flexjet, a market differentiator, which features an ultra-modern fleet, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors. To date there are nearly 50 different interior designs across its fleet, which includes the Embraer Phenom 300 and Praetor 500, Bombardier Challenger 350/3500, the Gulfstream G450 and G650. Flexjet’s European fleet includes the Embraer Praetor 600 and the Gulfstream G650. Flexjet’s helicopter division sells fractional, lease and on-demand charter access to its fleet of owned, operated and maintained Sikorsky S-76 helicopters which boast 55,000 hours of safe flying certified by Wyvern and ARG/US and serving locations throughout the northeastern United States, United Kingdom and Florida. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies. 

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE

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