Austrian helicopter flight school RotorSky has added to its fleet of training devices with an EASA qualified FTD to be operated at its headquarters at Linz International airport. The simulator received initial qualification for FTD 1 from Austrocontrol in January 2025.

The simulator was defined by RotorSky to deliver highest quality training for night vision imaging systems (NVIS) and to meet the requirements given by EASA Part-SPA. Together with the recommended training syllabus, which was developed by RotorSky, operators can now receive proficiency training for their pilots to be ready for NVIS operations.

This training tool was created in cooperation with multiSIM BV in Soesterberg, the Netherlands and JFJ Aviation & Defense in Burgkirchen, Austria. The simulator features two visual systems to provide stimulated and simulated night vision goggles NVG) operation for fixed-wing and helicopter pilots. The unique Virtual Terrain Board (VTB) from JFJ provides a night-realistic out-of-the-window view, allowing use of any kind of real NVG. D-World developed by multiSIM provides realistic simulated NVG and flying at night with VR goggles.

Dr. Michael Mayrhofer, CEO of RotorSky shares: “The simulator marks another milestone in our consequent journey to bring the highest pilot training quality to the market on a reasonable economical basis. Together with the syllabus, which was developed by a most experienced and international recognised expert, an ideal training solution for NVG was created.”

The syllabus contains almost two days of theory, where all relevant aspects to be considered in an NVG environment are presented and discussed in detail. Thereafter the pilot will receive a passive demo of the effects under realistic conditions using real NVG and the VTB. The next session is already a flight session using real NVG to experience the effects during aircraft operation. Finally, the pilot will receive three more pilot-in-the-loop sessions in the VR (virtual reality) environment to gain more experience with night operations.

Josef Joachimbauer, CEO of JFJ Aviation & Defense adds: “Our cooperation with RotorSky and multiSIM is a perfect synergy, as the capabilities of the three companies perfectly match together. JFJ Aviation & Defense's strength is complex system integration for reliable and effective pilot training devices, multiSIM provides excellent simulator software solutions and RotorSky delivers outstanding pilot training. The next step is to extend the simulator with normobaric hypoxia to also be able to train pilots for reduced oxygen exposure in high altitudes.”

The VR goggles display D-World during day and night, which is a high-fidelity simulated world with realistic light-effects developed by multiSIM. This visual system has now been qualified under special conditions for VR as the second in the world, as far as RotorSky is aware.

Dr. Mark Wentink, CEO of multiSIM comments: “multiSIM is known for its expertise and experience in dedicated defence training applications, where civil qualification is not required. This device marks a milestone of multiSIM's progressive evolution, as it is the first EASA qualified training device that entirely runs on multiSIM software. We are grateful to be part of this cooperation and are already developing for the next generation in flight simulators.”