VRM and Airbus develop new VR simulator for helicopters

Airbus Helicopters and VRM Switzerland are co-developing a VR training simulator for the twin-engine H145 helicopters. According to a press release, the simulator is an affordable, flexible training solution with realistic flight behavior. Complete proficiency checks can also be executed on the H145 VR simulator. Training hours on the simulators are logged for credit. It can be used for normal flights, emergency situations, hoist operations and flights with night vision goggles.

VRM in Dübendorf and Airbus Helicopters in Marignane established their collaboration in 2021, initially to bring the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) qualified H125 VR training device to the market. Once qualified, the H145 simulator can be used for a new generation of helicopters. According to Airbus, the twin-engine five-bladed H145 family has more than 1,500 helicopters in service worldwide. It accommodates two pilots and ten passengers.

“As we did with the H125 VR simulator, our Airbus pilots and experts will work hand in hand with the team of VRM Switzerland,” explained Christoph Zammert, Executive Vice President of Customer Support & Services at Airbus Helicopters. “With this type of simulator, the pilot can enter operational scenarios that would be very risky to attempt in actual flight but which bring significant added value to training.”

Fabi Riesen, CEO of VRM Switzerland, commented on broadening the training from H125 to H145: “having already successfully logged thousands of training hours with our simulators, we want to make this technology available to H145 operators”.