Airbus VPT offers VR pilot training, with Lufthansa Group as the launch customer

Berlin, 8 November 2022 – Advanced procedure training for pilots is now possible without using a flight simulator or on-site procedure trainer, thanks to the innovative Airbus Virtual Procedure Trainer (VPT). The software solution immerses trainees within a virtual cockpit and coaches them on Airbus Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Lufthansa Group will be the launch customer for the new solution presented at EATS (European Airline Training Symposium) 2022 in Berlin.

With Virtual Reality, the VPT allows trainees to drill procedures repeatedly within a fully interactive cockpit. Trainees can act intuitively on each switch and lever, following the correct sequence whilst building their ‘muscle memory’ and procedural knowledge.

“As part of a unique partnership, training expertise will be mutually shared to provide an innovative, integrated pilot training approach”, says Gilad Scherpf, Head of Aviation Training Development Lufthansa Group. Airbus and Lufthansa Aviation Training will deliver state-of-the-art A320 procedure training for Lufthansa Group airlines across VR, PC, and iPad devices. “The resulting training enhancements will enable further use cases as well as regulatory acceptance. This will be based on the jointly gathered data while aiming at a trainee-centric, flexible solution to support key competencies”.

“Using our Virtual Procedure Trainer, pilots have demonstrably learnt procedures more effectively and efficiently, offering the potential to shorten their Type Rating course” says Fabrice Hamel, VP of Airbus Flight Operations & Training. “The new tool also offers much more flexibility because trainees can choose to train alone with an AI, or together online”.

VPT can be purchased stand-alone or with the MATe Suite (Airbus training solution for aircraft systems). It is available on PC-tethered Virtual Reality devices or flat-screen devices such as laptops and iPads.