DAY 1 EATS 2024 Report – From the Conference Floor

Innovation was alive and well on the conference floor. Three industry teams were available to discuss their latest products and programs.

Training Aircraft Update

Diamond Aircraft remains on trajectory to meet the global community’s demand for more aircraft and accompanying simulators from the company’s portfolio. In terms of what’s new, a corporate spokesperson confirmed that in one instance, the company continues to develop its eDA40. The aircraft was designed to be the first EASA/FAA Part 23 certified electric aircraft. The eDA40 is further envisioned to meet the demand for sustainable aircraft solutions and, at the same time, be an excellent electric circuit trainer. The initial aircraft of the class completed its maiden flight on July 20, 2023. This June, Diamond signed a letter of intent with airBaltic Training, a subsidiary of the Latvian airline airBaltic, for the acquisition of three all-electric eDA40s in addition to two DA42-VI aircraft – helping to meet another training organization’s increased demand to embrace sustainability in their fleets. A company spokesperson also noted impressive sales of Diamond’s simulator products. The FTDs remain a key part of the company’s business model, allowing Diamond to offer a “whole package” to a customer – the aircraft, supporting simulator, parts, service and other life cycle components. Diamond’s business strategy remains focused on a 1:1 match with the same flight behavior, parts, layout and other attributes between the aircraft and the supporting flight training device. On CAT’s watchlist is the prospect of Diamond gaining additional “fleet extension programs in the future.” The spokesperson was unable to provide additional details due to non-disclosure agreements.

VPT Unveiled

Axis Flight Simulation unveiled its new Ground-to-Flight VR-based Trainer Virtual Cockpit Procedure and Walkaround Trainer (VPT) now available for business jet pilot training for a Bombardier CL350. Axis can design VPT solutions for different aircraft types upon request.

VPT was designed in collaboration with Budapest-based software development studio Propair Flight, an independent AXIS Group company. Christian Theuermann, AXIS Flight Simulation executive board member, commented on VPT’s use of VR-enabling technology, as opposed to augmented reality, when he noted in the case of VR there is no hardware which needs to be repurposed. For procedure training, it is enough to have everything in VR, it is much simpler, it is faster to do it and cheaper. Peter Kesmarki, managing director, Propair Flight, further commented on the huge flexibility this product provides the training audience. In one case, VPT allows tasks heretofore present in FFSs to be offloaded to a procedures trainer, or even learned and refreshed on a tablet or other device anywhere, anytime. “They can train at home on the procedures and come prepared to the training center and start the training. It makes the training less expensive!” VPT helps expand the technology envelope for training as it has a built-in AI instructor, a Varjo XR-3 headset and is equipped with Unreal Engine 5.

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