Alaska Airlines recently made a groundbreaking move by investing in the development of a cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) simulator for their commercial pilot training program. Working in collaboration with Loft Dynamics, a Swiss aviation simulation company renowned for their FAA- and EASA-approved VR helicopter flight simulator, Alaska Airlines aims to create the first hyper-realistic Boeing 737 VR simulator.

This innovative simulator will utilize extended reality (XR) technology, offering advanced features such as a six-degrees-of-freedom full-motion platform with force feedback, 360-degree panoramic 3D visuals, and full-body pose tracking for precise movements. Additionally, the simulator will provide customizable training scenarios, environments, and a virtual demonstration mode for instructors to record and replay training sessions.

Compared to traditional Boeing 737 simulators, the new VR simulator will have a compact footprint, requiring significantly less space. This will enable Alaska Airlines to deploy simulators at individual bases, providing pilots with more opportunities to enhance their skills.

Despite the long-term goal of gaining FAA certification, the focus for now will be on enhancing existing training programs with this cutting-edge technology. Jeff Severns, Managing Director of Flight Operations Training at Alaska Airlines, expressed excitement about the potential impact of the VR simulator on commercial pilot training: "Pilot training has significantly evolved over the past 30 years... These VR simulators could provide a fully immersive, high-fidelity experience that replicates real-world flight scenarios."

Alaska Airlines’ investment in this project underscores their commitment to offering the most advanced training solutions available. This forward-thinking approach aligns with their dedication to innovation and pushing the boundaries of pilot training. With the potential of Loft’s hyper-realistic VR simulator, the future of commercial pilot training could be transformed.