Brussels Airlines Becomes First to Launch VR Pilot Training in Lufthansa Group

• Brussels Airlines is the first in the Lufthansa Group to use VR as a standalone tool in official A320 pilot training.
• Built over two years by Lufthansa Aviation Training and Airbus, the training's success now drives a group-wide rollout.

Brussels Airlines has become the first in the Lufthansa Group to use virtual reality in place of traditional simulator tools for pilot training. In early July, two flight crews completed part of their A320 Type Rating using the new VR system, without instructor supervision.

The Virtual Procedure Trainer (VPT), developed over two years by Lufthansa Aviation Training and Airbus, puts pilots in a fully interactive 3D cockpit to practice normal operating procedures using virtual reality. It replaces screen-based cockpit tools and is approved for use in official training.

“VR offers a significantly more realistic and intense training experience. Our pilots can autodidactically practice procedures early and repeatedly, build muscle memory, and gain situational confidence – an ideal preparation for the simulator phase with increased effectiveness and reduced infrastructure requirements," said Captain Gauthier Lesceu, Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor (CTKI), Brussels Airlines, in an official news release.

With the first phase complete, Lufthansa Group will now expand the program to all ten A320 operators across seven training centers. Lufthansa Aviation Training is also adapting the system for other aircraft types and preparing a version for external customers.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

This is a huge achievement in aviation and signals a massive shift in training for pilots. Lufthansa seems to be investing heavily in VR as a new method for training, as they recently announced their VR training program for Lufthansa Cargo to help aircraft loading supervisors learn safety and handling procedures. This training is set to debut in October of this year.

Source: Brussels Airlines