Today, Varjo and Brunner Elektronik revealed the Novasim MR DA42, the first qualified mixed reality FNPT II flight simulator in collaboration with Lufthansa Aviation Training and FlightSafety International.
If you’re wondering what FNPT II stands for, it’s a flight navigation and procedure trainer used to instruct aspiring professional pilots.
Usually, this kind of trainer includes a reproduction of an aircraft’s cockpit and one or more screens to display the simulation, but the mixed reality nature of the Novasim bypasses the screens.
The simulation is displayed on a Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition HMD headset, and thanks to mixed reality, the student can see both the physical cockpit and the simulated environment with a 360-degree field of view at the same time.
The instructor can see on their screen exactly what the student sees in the flight simulator, including their point of view, thanks to eye-tracking technology. Considering the limitations of physical screens, it’s pretty easy to see the advantage of this application of mixed reality.
The physical cockpit reproduces a Diamond DA42, which is one of the most popular flight training aircraft. It’s equipped with all the avionics that one would find in a real aircraft, and it’s mounted on a Brunner 6DOF motion system for full immersion.
The Varjo XR4 mixed reality headset is powered by a VITAL 1150 Level-D image generator.
This combination claims to be a “uniquely effective platform for high-quality procedural and decision-making training.”
It allows trainees to perceive motion and distance naturally, while also enhancing situational awareness and response time by recreating realistic visual and cognitive conditions.
The simulation includes a full range, from normal procedures and checklists to failures and emergency scenarios
Of course, the most relevant point is that this simulator is fully qualified for professional use (with an official FNPT II Qualification under EASA standards), enabling certified training sessions.
Below, you can check out the Novasim flight simulator in action.
Here’s a full list of features provided by the hardware:
Features
- Real DA42 cockpit hardware
- Fully immersive 360° virtual view
- Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition High Resolution HMD
- FlightSafety International’s VITAL 1150
- Unrestricted 360° visuals with natural head tracking
- Dynamic weather, lighting, terrain, and traffic
- Compact size
- 6DOF Motion System
- Swiss Made
- 2 year Warranty
IOS Features
- Eye Tracking Insight ➔ See exactly where the student is looking in real time.
- In-Headset Pointer ➔ Highlight any control or instrument directly in the trainee’s view.
- One-Click Control ➔ Instantly change time, weather, or trigger failures during training.
- Session Recording ➔ Capture visuals and actions for detailed debrief and analysis.
- Instructor centered User Interface ➔ Simple, intuitive controls for efficient session management.
The press release included a statement from Roger Klingler, CEO of Brunner Elektronik:
“We are proud to lead the way in redefining aviation training by achieving the first-ever EASA qualification for a mixed reality simulator. With the Novasim MR DA42, we’ve combined precision Swiss engineering with breakthrough XR technology to deliver a simulator that meets demanding regulatory standards while providing unmatched realism and flexibility in pilot training.
This accomplishment is the result of close collaboration with Varjo, combining our expertise in simulation hardware and software integration with the cutting-edge visual fidelity of the Varjo XR-4 Focal Edition. “
We also hear from Tristan Cotter, Global Head of Defense & Aerospace at Varjo:
“This is a milestone not only for Varjo and Brunner, but for the future of pilot training in civil aviation. With this certification, mixed reality is no longer a forward-looking concept, it’s a verified, scalable, and cost-effective solution ready to meet the operational demands of the industry today.”
Lastly, we have a statement from Manuel Meier, CEO at Lufthansa Aviation Training.
“We have supported this pioneering project from the very beginning with conviction – contributing our expertise to the qualification process and the technical advancement of the mixed reality simulator.
As a leading provider of crew training in Europe, we consistently drive innovation in cabin and cockpit training, and this milestone supports that mission.”
If you’d like to read more flight simulation news, you can find plenty in our latest roundup article from yesterday.
If you want to go further back, we have a handy overview video of the major flight simulation news in the past week. You can watch it below. As usual, leaving a like and a comment, and subscribing to our growing YouTube channel is extremely helpful.
