Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

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Leonardo’s virtual extended reality (VxR) helicopter flight simulation training device has achieved FAA Level 7 approval, “marking a historic milestone as the first-ever VR [virtual reality]-based training device to attain this level,” according to the Italian rotorcraft manufacturer. With a motion base and VR technology, the VxR can replicate single-engine and light twin-engine helicopters at a fraction of the cost of a full-flight simulator.
The simulator’s motion base is a six-degrees-of-freedom short-throw device, which is possible because it doesn’t need larger actuators to support a visual system dome. While wearing a VR headset, the trainee can interact with real controls, knobs, and buttons and see the outside view superimposed inside the headset.
Capable of replicating the AW09, AW119, and AW109 helicopters, the VxR uses previously qualified level-D full-flight simulator flight dynamics and performance data and cockpit components. VxR simulators can be connected so flight crew can train together on the same mission.
“Achieving FAA FTD Level 7 certification for our virtual extended reality technology is a significant milestone for Leonardo and the aviation industry,” said Fabrizio Peano, v-p of simulation and training services. “This certification confirms that our VxR solution provides safe, efficient, and FAA-recognized training within the most compact device available on the market. We are proud to offer this state-of-the-art technology to our partners and customers, shaping the future of aviation training together.”

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