FAA Certifies Virtual Extended Reality Training Device

Leonardo’s Virtual Extended Reality (VxR) technology has achieved the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Level 7 certification, marking a historic milestone as the first-ever VR-based training device to attain this level, according to the company.

This significant achievement reinforces Leonardo’s role in developing and supplying advanced training and simulation solutions in the rotorcraft industry.

The VxR integrates virtual reality (VR) to create an immersive training environment. This technology allows for realistic simulations of various flight scenarios, ultimately reducing training costs and improving operational readiness.

The ETD (Enhanced Training Device) VxR technology has been designed and built with original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-proprietary native helicopter data for high levels of fidelity, leveraging design and certification capabilities and genuine flight tests to allow the future virtual and extended reality simulators and comply with FTD level 7 FAA requirements.

The ETD VxR features a compact footprint to support single-engine (visual flight rules and instrument flight rules) and light-twin-engine helicopters, ensuring accurate pilot’s perception of the surroundings for single-pilot flight operations, improving training effectiveness and safety and allowing the crew to train on the same mission through interconnected simulators.

This certification ensures that Leonardo’s VxR solutions meet stringent regulatory requirements, enabling customers to benefit from realistic simulations and certifiable training credits at a fraction of the cost of traditional training devices, the company said.

Leonardo announced early market success ahead of certification in late 2024 with a first order in the USA for emergency medical services (EMS) operations.