USA — CommuteAir, a regional airline operating as a United Express carrier, has integrated Visionary Training Resources (VTR) technology into its pilot training program, marking a notable step toward incorporating virtual reality (VR) into airline training environments. The initiative, led by Lance Lau, Director of Training at CommuteAir, reflects the airline’s growing investment in immersive training tools to enhance pilot preparedness and operational performance.

• According to Director of Training Lance Lau, the technology has delivered “excellent results” beyond initial expectations.

• VTR’s pilot-led design approach has been credited as a key factor in the system’s effectiveness.

• The use of VR allows trainees to reinforce procedural understanding before simulator sessions, improving performance during full-flight simulation and initial operating experience.

• Feedback from both instructors and line check pilots has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating better-prepared cadets transitioning to line operations.

In February of this year VTR shared that CommuteAir hadintegrated Visionary Training Resources’ (VTR) FlightDeckToGo™ virtual reality (VR) training system into its pilot training curriculum, making it one of the few airlines to incorporate VR with FAA approval.

• The system, designed for use with the Meta Quest 3 headset, allows pilots to practice ground-based procedures with real-time eye-tracking 24/7.
• CommuteAir’s implementation of VR training is part of its Advanced Qualification Program (AQP), aiming to enhance pilot technical proficiency.
• The airline collaborated with the FAA to outline expected outcomes, making it among the first to integrate VR training with regulatory acknowledgment.
• The VR system replicates an Embraer 145 flight deck with high accuracy, allowing pilots to improve retention and procedural accuracy.
• VTR’s proprietary learning methods provide a more interactive and immersive training experience, aligning with modern pilot learning habits.

Learn more about Visionary Training Resources by listen to its interview with AFM here.

Source: Visionary Training Resources