Reiser’s H145 mixed reality simulator cleared for pilot training by German aviation authority
The authority assessment enables mixed reality training system to enter operational use for H145 helicopter crews at DRF Akademie
Reiser Simulation and Training has received approval from Germany’s Federal Aviation Office (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt; LBA) to begin training with its H145 XR-SIM mixed reality simulator, marking a step forward in the adoption of extended reality technology for professional helicopter training.
Following an assessment by the LBA, the H145 XR-SIM was declared ‘Ready for training’, allowing the device to enter operational use at Lufthansa Aviation Training’s Frankfurt facility, where it will support the DRF Akademie’s H145 pilot and crew training programs.
The mixed reality system combines a full-scale H145 cockpit equipped with functioning flight controls and instrumentation with a virtual external environment viewed through head-mounted displays.
The approach is intended to provide the physical realism of a conventional simulator while offering greater flexibility than traditional full flight simulation devices.
The H145 XR-SIM complements an existing Reiser H135/H145 full flight simulator already in operation at the Frankfurt training center, increasing training capacity for one of Europe’s most widely used helicopter types in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS).
Martin Keil, Chief Technology Officer at Reiser Simulation and Training, said the assessment represented an important milestone for mixed reality technology in regulated aviation training.
“This successful assessment is much more than the acceptance of just another simulator,” he said. “It shows that mixed reality is now moving from a promising technology into the field of authority-assessed professional aviation training.”
The assessment was carried out in collaboration with the LBA, DRF Akademie, Lufthansa Aviation Training, and Reiser, after which responsibility for operating the simulator transferred to Lufthansa Aviation Training for routine training activities.
The use of mixed reality simulation could help address growing demand for pilot training by providing a scalable alternative for rehearsing operational scenarios, crew coordination, and emergency procedures while reducing reliance on full flight simulators.
Elsewhere in the sector, Coptersafety recently announced plans to open a new helicopter training center in Oslo, Norway, in 2028, expanding simulator capacity for HEMS, search and rescue, and offshore helicopter operators across Europe.