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USA — Loft Dynamics, a global leader in virtual reality (VR) flight training, announced that its Airbus H125 simulator has been qualified at FAA Level 7, the highest fidelity standard for Flight Training Devices (FTDs).

The qualification, conducted at Marshall University, makes it the first U.S. university to integrate an FAA-approved VR flight simulator into its curriculum for civil training. This accomplishment signals a paradigm shift in pilot training: careers can now begin in high-fidelity VR, shifting critical training away from aircraft and into environments that are safer, more accessible, and equally realistic.

Statement

• “When EASA first qualified our VR simulator in 2021 and then the FAA in 2024, it was a breakthrough for the industry—it proved immersive VR could meet regulatory standards for the first time,” said Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics. “Level 7 now extends that foundation, and what makes this especially significant is how it’s being applied: embedding FAA-approved VR at the university level as a new blueprint for training pilots. By combining advanced VR simulators with essential aircraft-based instruction, we can improve safety, expand access and set a stronger foundation for pilots from their first lesson through retirement. This milestone shows what’s possible when the entire aviation ecosystem—innovators, schools, regulators and OEMs—comes together to embrace innovation as the way to confront longstanding challenges and raise the standard for pilot training worldwide.”  stated Fabi Riesen.

Why FAA Level 7 Qualification Matters

An FAA Level 7 qualification is recognized as so realistic that nearly the entire pilot training path can be completed in the simulator. Unlike traditional simulators, Loft Dynamics’ VR technology delivers true immersion—allowing pilots to build core competencies in a more accessible, cost-effective and scalable way. With this qualification, pilots can progress from their first private pilot lessons through commercial, instrument and airline transport ratings, as well as recurrent checks and specialized training, all on one device. This means 80 to 95 percent of required hours now shift into VR.

Loft Dynamics’ VR Simulator Capabilities and Advantages

Loft Dynamics’ H125 VR simulator—the only VR simulator approved by Airbus Helicopters—delivers the fidelity and realism required to meet FAA Level 7 standards. Key features include:

• Six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform

• Full replica cockpit with authentic avionics and tactile controls,

• Immersive, high-resolution VR visuals that provide a true 360-degree view of real-world terrain and lighting.

• Accessibility: about one-tenth the size and one-twentieth the cost of conventional full-flight simulators.

Marshall University’s Vision

At Marshall University, Loft Dynamics’ newly qualified Level 7 VR simulator is now integrated as a core part of the training curriculum.

“Marshall University is proud to be the first to bring FAA-approved civil VR training into a university program,” said Nancy Ritter, the university’s chief of aviation operations and chief instructor. “This fundamentally transforms how we prepare pilots. For the first time, our students can complete their entire FAA-recognized training path in one device, practicing everything from takeoffs and autorotations to sloped landings—safely and repeatedly—before they ever step into an aircraft.”

“It also makes Marshall a resource for the broader aviation community. The simulator will help expand aviation in Appalachia, where helicopters are essential for public safety and citizens rely on air ambulances in mountainous terrain. It creates new opportunities for other pilots and operators to train here as well. This partnership with Loft ensures our program isn’t just keeping pace with aviation’s future—it’s helping to shape it.” 

Industry Validation from Airbus Helicopters

Romain Trapp, executive vice president of customer support and services at Airbus Helicopters, commented, “Loft Dynamics’ innovation has accelerated the credibility and adoption of VR training across aviation in just a few short years, making unprecedented progress at the regulatory level. Airbus has been deeply involved in this journey—working closely with Loft to align the simulator with flight test data, validate its fidelity and ensure it flies exactly like an H125—to improve access to simulation training and boost safety in the industry. With its Level 7 qualification at Marshall University, together we are placing this technology at the very foundation of pilot education—reducing risk, expanding access at a time when the world urgently needs more pilots, and building confidence from the very first VR session. So much progress has already been made, and bringing qualified VR training into universities will be an even greater catalyst—rewriting pilot training from the very beginning of a career and redefining what’s possible for the next generation.”

Global Impact on Pilot Training

The qualification at Marshall—and the new benchmark it sets for pilot training—is only the beginning. Loft Dynamics is working with schools, operators and regulators worldwide to deliver VR-based pilot training to the next generation of aviators. Discover Loft Dynamics’ FAA and EASA-qualified VR flight training solutions and experience the technology firsthand with a demo.

About Loft Dynamics 
Loft Dynamics AG is the global leader in virtual reality (VR) flight training, and the first company with VR simulators qualified by both the FAA and EASA. Trusted by Alaska Airlines, Airbus Helicopters, the Los Angeles Police Department, and more, we serve the full aviation ecosystem—spanning commercial airlines, eVTOLs, and diverse helicopter operators, as well as schools, OEMs, governments, and regulators. Our mission is to make pilot training safer and more accessible, affordable, and scalable than ever before. We produce full-motion VR simulators for helicopters, airlines, and eVTOLs that are ten 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 training intelligence. Loft Dynamics is leading a global paradigm shift in pilot training and powering the next generation of highly skilled pilots.

Source: Loft Dynamics
Photo Credit: Marshall University