Varjo and REISER Simulation & Training GmbH announced on 18 November that the latter’s H145 D3 MR (mixed reality) helicopter simulator has been pre-qualified by the German Federal Aviation Office (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, LBA) under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Special Conditions framework. The achievement marks a significant step forward in bringing MR technology into EASA-recognised training environments, further expanding the role of immersive solutions in certified aviation training.
The simulator features a full-scale haptic cockpit paired with two fully instrumented XR crew stations, enabling highly realistic multi-crew training. Pilots can rehearse standard operating procedures, crew resource management tasks, checklist flows and mutual cross-checks in fully immersive environments.
“REISER’s XR Simulator is integrated with Varjo’s latest XR-4 series headsets that are purpose-built for mission-critical training […] enabling pilot training to take a fundamental leap toward virtual environments,” explained Valentin Storz, Chief Revenue Officer at Varjo.
“We are the first to unite MR with a fully haptic cockpit and to do so within a system that can be seamlessly operated in our proven full-flight simulators using roll-on/roll-off cockpit technology,” added Martin Keil, REISER CTO.
DA Comment
The pre-qualification itself may appear on the surface to be a routine protocol prior to the device being openly marketed. However, the ‘first-to-market’ nature of the combination of MR with a full-scale haptic cockpit, coupled with completion of the required Flight Simulation Training Device Operator (FSTDO) qualification process, expected early next year, has significant implications for aviation training and will open doors for a wide variety of potential use cases to be discussed. Expect this to figure as a major discussion topic in the aisles and conference suites at I/ITSEC 2025 in Orlando, Florida, in December.
For a brief (2min) video with commentary from Martin Keil at REISER, click here
Image courtesy Varjo
