Alaska Airlines announces investment in Loft Dynamics and partnership to develop and deploy first Boeing 737 VR simulators
Alaska Airlines (ALK) has announced a strategic investment in Loft Dynamics, aiming to develop the first hyper-realistic, full-motion Boeing 737 VR simulator. The investment, made through Alaska Star Ventures, will support the creation of virtual reality training technology that could revolutionize pilot training.
The partnership marks Loft Dynamics' entry into the fixed-wing market, bringing their FAA- and EASA-qualified VR technology to commercial airline training. The new simulators will feature a six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform, 360-degree panoramic 3D view, advanced full-body tracking, and customizable training scenarios, all while requiring just 1/12th the space of traditional simulators.
Once developed and approved by the FAA in the coming years, these VR simulators will be installed at Alaska Airlines bases, potentially reducing training travel time and costs while maintaining high training standards. In the meantime, Alaska and Loft plan to explore supplementary training opportunities alongside existing FAA-required programs.
Alaska Airlines (ALK) ha annunciato un investimento strategico in Loft Dynamics, con l'obiettivo di sviluppare il primo simulatore VR Boeing 737 iper-realistico e a movimento completo. L'investimento, effettuato tramite Alaska Star Ventures, supporterà la creazione di tecnologie di formazione in realtà virtuale che potrebbero rivoluzionare l'addestramento dei piloti.
Questa partnership segna l'ingresso di Loft Dynamics nel mercato degli aerei a ala fissa, portando la loro tecnologia VR qualificata da FAA e EASA nella formazione delle compagnie aeree commerciali. I nuovi simulatori presenteranno una piattaforma di movimento a sei gradi di libertà, una vista panoramica 3D a 360 gradi, tracciamento avanzato del corpo intero e scenari di formazione personalizzabili, il tutto richiedendo solo 1/12 dello spazio dei simulatori tradizionali.
Una volta sviluppati e approvati dalla FAA nei prossimi anni, questi simulatori VR saranno installati presso le basi di Alaska Airlines, riducendo potenzialmente i tempi e i costi di viaggio per la formazione, mantenendo al contempo elevati standard di addestramento. Nel frattempo, Alaska e Loft intendono esplorare opportunità di formazione supplementari accanto ai programmi già richiesti dalla FAA.
Alaska Airlines (ALK) ha anunciado una inversión estratégica en Loft Dynamics, con el objetivo de desarrollar el primer simulador VR Boeing 737 hiperrealista y de movimiento completo. La inversión, realizada a través de Alaska Star Ventures, apoyará la creación de tecnología de entrenamiento en realidad virtual que podría revolucionar la formación de pilotos.
Esta asociación marca la entrada de Loft Dynamics en el mercado de aviones de ala fija, llevando su tecnología VR calificada por la FAA y EASA a la formación de aerolíneas comerciales. Los nuevos simuladores contarán con una plataforma de movimiento de seis grados de libertad, vista panorámica 3D de 360 grados, seguimiento avanzado de cuerpo completo y escenarios de entrenamiento personalizables, todo mientras requieren solo 1/12 del espacio de los simuladores tradicionales.
Una vez desarrollados y aprobados por la FAA en los próximos años, estos simuladores VR se instalarán en las bases de Alaska Airlines, reduciendo potencialmente el tiempo y los costos de viaje para la formación, manteniendo al mismo tiempo altos estándares de capacitación. Mientras tanto, Alaska y Loft planean explorar oportunidades de formación complementarias junto a los programas requeridos por la FAA.
알래스카 항공 (ALK)은 Loft Dynamics에 전략적 투자를 발표하며 최초의 Boeing 737 VR 시뮬레이터를 개발할 계획입니다. 이 투자는 Alaska Star Ventures를 통해 이루어지며, 조종사 훈련을 혁신할 수 있는 가상 현실 훈련 기술의 개발을 지원할 것입니다.
이번 파트너십은 Loft Dynamics의 고정익 시장 진입을 의미하며, FAA 및 EASA 인증을 받은 VR 기술을 상업 항공사 훈련에 도입합니다. 새로운 시뮬레이터는 6자유도 운동 플랫폼, 360도 파노라마 3D 뷰, 고급 전신 추적 및 맞춤형 훈련 시나리오를 제공하며, 전통적인 시뮬레이터의 1/12의 공간만을 필요로 합니다.
향후 몇 년 내에 FAA의 승인을 받아 개발이 완료되면, 이 VR 시뮬레이터는 알래스카 항공의 기지에 설치되어 훈련 여행 시간과 비용을 줄일 수 있으며, 높은 훈련 기준을 유지할 수 있습니다. 그동안 알래스카와 Loft는 기존 FAA 요구 프로그램과 함께 보조 훈련 기회를 탐색할 계획입니다.
Alaska Airlines (ALK) a annoncé un investissement stratégique dans Loft Dynamics, visant à développer le premier simulateur VR Boeing 737 hyperréaliste et à mouvement complet. Cet investissement, réalisé par le biais d'Alaska Star Ventures, soutiendra la création de technologies de formation en réalité virtuelle qui pourraient révolutionner la formation des pilotes.
Ce partenariat marque l'entrée de Loft Dynamics sur le marché des avions à voilure fixe, apportant leur technologie VR certifiée par la FAA et l'EASA à la formation des compagnies aériennes commerciales. Les nouveaux simulateurs disposeront d'une plateforme de mouvement à six degrés de liberté, d'une vue panoramique 3D à 360 degrés, d'un suivi avancé du corps entier et de scénarios de formation personnalisables, tout en nécessitant seulement 1/12 de l'espace des simulateurs traditionnels.
Une fois développés et approuvés par la FAA dans les années à venir, ces simulateurs VR seront installés dans les bases d'Alaska Airlines, réduisant potentiellement le temps et les coûts de déplacement pour la formation tout en maintenant des normes de formation élevées. En attendant, Alaska et Loft prévoient d'explorer des opportunités de formation complémentaires en parallèle des programmes déjà requis par la FAA.
Alaska Airlines (ALK) hat eine strategische Investition in Loft Dynamics angekündigt, um den ersten hyperrealistischen, vollbeweglichen Boeing 737 VR-Simulator zu entwickeln. Die Investition, die über Alaska Star Ventures erfolgt, wird die Schaffung von Virtual-Reality-Trainingstechnologie unterstützen, die das Pilotentraining revolutionieren könnte.
Die Partnerschaft markiert den Eintritt von Loft Dynamics in den Bereich der Starrflügler, wobei ihre von der FAA und EASA zertifizierte VR-Technologie in die Ausbildung kommerzieller Fluggesellschaften integriert wird. Die neuen Simulatoren werden über eine Bewegungsplattform mit sechs Freiheitsgraden, eine 360-Grad-Panoramansicht, fortschrittliches Ganzkörper-Tracking und anpassbare Trainingsszenarien verfügen und benötigen dabei nur 1/12 des Platzes traditioneller Simulatoren.
Sobald sie in den kommenden Jahren entwickelt und von der FAA genehmigt werden, werden diese VR-Simulatoren an den Standorten von Alaska Airlines installiert, was potenziell die Reisezeiten und -kosten für das Training reduzieren und gleichzeitig hohe Ausbildungsstandards aufrechterhalten könnte. In der Zwischenzeit planen Alaska und Loft, ergänzende Trainingsmöglichkeiten neben den bestehenden von der FAA geforderten Programmen zu erkunden.
- Investment in cutting-edge VR technology could reduce training costs and improve operational efficiency
- Potential competitive advantage as first airline to implement this training technology
- Reduced facility space requirements (1/12th of traditional simulators) could lead to significant cost savings
- Enhanced training accessibility and flexibility for pilots
- Technology still pending FAA approval with multi-year timeline
- Significant investment required in unproven technology for commercial aviation
- Potential implementation and transition risks from traditional to VR-based training
Insights
Alaska Airlines' investment in Loft Dynamics marks a significant technological leap for commercial pilot training. The development of Boeing 737 VR simulators addresses several critical industry pain points that legacy full-flight simulators present. These traditional systems, while effective, require enormous physical space, come with
The technical specifications of Loft's solution are particularly impressive. Their system combines a full-motion platform with 6 degrees of freedom, 360-degree 3D visualization, and advanced body tracking—essentially delivering comparable fidelity to traditional simulators in 1/12th the physical footprint. This significant space reduction enables deployment at individual pilot bases rather than centralized training centers, dramatically reducing non-productive pilot travel time.
From an industry perspective, this represents a potential paradigm shift. If FAA qualification is achieved, which seems plausible given Loft's existing regulatory approvals for helicopter simulators, we could see widespread adoption across carriers facing similar training constraints. The technology would be particularly valuable for addressing the global pilot shortage, as it would increase training capacity without requiring the massive capital expenditures and facility investments of traditional simulators.
The aviation training market's reaction to this technology will depend heavily on the fidelity of the final product and pilot acceptance, but Alaska's willingness to serve as launch customer provides crucial industry validation. The fact that Loft has already secured regulatory approval for its helicopter simulators suggests they've overcome significant technical and regulatory hurdles in aviation training simulation.
This strategic investment through Alaska's venture capital arm carries multiple financial implications beyond the undisclosed investment amount. The primary value proposition centers on dramatically improving the economics of pilot training, which represents a significant operational expense for airlines.
Traditional full-flight simulators typically cost between
While immediate financial impact will be minimal given the multi-year development timeline, the long-term strategic positioning is noteworthy. By participating as both investor and development partner, Alaska gains early access to potentially disruptive technology while influencing its development to address specific operational needs. This approach effectively transforms a portion of their training R&D budget into an equity investment with potential upside.
The pilot shortage context adds another dimension of value. Airlines unable to train pilots efficiently face constraints on growth and operational reliability. More accessible, distributed training infrastructure could provide Alaska competitive advantages in pilot recruitment, retention, and deployment flexibility.
The prudent approach of initially supplementing rather than replacing existing FAA-required training methods demonstrates appropriate risk management while pursuing innovation. This balanced strategy suggests the investment was made with appropriate consideration of near-term operational needs alongside long-term transformation potential.
In a first for global airlines, Alaska Airlines will lend expertise from its industry-leading training program to inform development of next generation simulators. Loft enters fixed-wing market, bringing FAA- and EASA-qualified VR technology to commercial airline training.
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Traditional full-motion simulators have long been the gold standard for airline training, providing an essential and proven method for pilot instruction. However, their substantial footprint, high cost, and operational constraints limit scalability and accessibility. As airlines, operators, and regulators seek more flexible solutions, VR is emerging as a powerful and influential solution.
"Pilot training has significantly evolved over the past 30 years, from training solely in an aircraft to using full-flight simulators. With the potential of Loft's hyper-realistic VR simulator, we could be transforming commercial pilot training as we know it today," said Capt. Jeff Severns, managing director of flight operations training at Alaska Airlines. "These VR simulators could provide a fully immersive, high-fidelity, data-driven experience that replicates real-world flight scenarios — all in a device compact enough to fit in a standard office. This accessibility could allow pilots to train more frequently and refine their skills with greater efficiency. We are committed to offering the most advanced training solutions available, including VR, and look forward to being Loft's first fixed-wing customer."
- Six-degrees-of-freedom full-motion platform with improved pilot motion cueing that replicates real-world physics, force feedback from flight controls and all haptic sensations of the aircraft.
- A 360-degree panoramic 3D view, providing correct visual cues inside and outside the aircraft.
- Advanced full-body pose tracking, allowing pilots to see their hand and body movements in real-time within the VR environment.
- Customizable training scenarios and environments, enabling pilots to practice any situation, condition, and maneuver safely and realistically.
- Compact size, requiring 1/12th the space of legacy full-flight simulators, allowing for increased accessibility and flexibility.
- Virtual demonstration mode, which lets instructors record immersive lessons — including visuals, audio and control inputs — for pilots to replay and learn from during future simulator sessions.
- LoftSPATIAL app for Apple Vision Pro, which, when connected to the simulator, enables pilots to use spatial computing to train anytime, anywhere.
"Our investment in Loft Dynamics underscores our conviction in this technology, which enables hyper-realistic training of complex scenarios more effectively and more relevantly," said Pasha Saleh, director of corporate development at Alaska Airlines. "Over time, this technology would enable us to bring critical training closer to the pilot base, reducing unnecessary travel and time while delivering industry-leading pilot training. It represents a paradigm shift and has the potential to dramatically enhance the quality of commercial pilot training."
The eventual Boeing 737 VR simulator will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for approval — likely in the next few years. In the interim,
About Loft Dynamics
Loft Dynamics AG is the global leader in qualified virtual reality flight simulation training devices (FSTD). It is the only VR FSTD qualified by the FAA and EASA. Equipped with a 3D high-resolution panoramic view, dynamic six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform, and full-scale replica cockpit with a unique pose tracking system, our revolutionary VR simulators provide a more immersive, realistic, customizable, and safe training experience. By offering a training solution 10 times smaller and significantly more cost-effective than legacy simulators, we enhance training accessibility and scalability, empowering highly skilled pilots to meet global demand. We serve leading manufacturers, airlines, operators, schools, and organizations worldwide. Headquartered in
About Alaska Air Group
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, with McGee Air Services a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. With hubs in
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SOURCE ALASKA AIRLINES
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