What Loft Dynamics does

Loft Dynamics AG is a Swiss developer of full-motion virtual reality flight simulators for pilot training, founded in 2016 in Zurich (now headquartered in Dübendorf) by Fabi Riesen. The company's core product is a qualified Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD) built around a full-scale replica cockpit, a six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform, a 360° 3D panoramic VR headset, and full-body pose tracking. Qualified product lines include the Airbus H125 (EASA FTD Level 3, FAA Level 7, JCAB Level 7), the Airbus H145 (FTD Level 3 or higher), and the Robinson R22 (EASA FNPT II); a Boeing 737 simulator is under co-development with Alaska Airlines, and an Airbus A320 simulator is in early development. Loft Dynamics' HESLO sling-load trainer is the only sling-load FSTD qualified by both the FAA and EASA. The company is the first VR simulator maker to achieve qualifications from EASA, the FAA, and JCAB.

The business model combines enterprise hardware sales (quote-based multi-year contracts in the low single-digit million-dollar range per unit, with the CBP award reported at close to $2 million) with a growing recurring software layer: LoftHUB (cloud training management), LofTWIN (digitized expert pilot instruction), and LoftHOME (an Apple Vision Pro at-home training kit developed with Trifork). Distribution combines direct enterprise sales, OEM-embedded co-development (Airbus Helicopters for the H125 and H145, Alaska Airlines for the Boeing 737), channel partners for regulated verticals (Davenport Aviation in US federal, Inter-Craft in Japan), and a global training-center network of third-party operators that host Loft simulators for end-pilot training. Per-session economics are cited at roughly $100 versus ~$1,200 per flight hour on traditional full-flight simulators, with documented CO2 savings of approximately 5,579 tons since 2021.

Customers span helicopter operators (commercial, EMS, SAR, mountain rescue, law enforcement), commercial airlines (Alaska Airlines), federal and local government (U.S. Customs and Border Protection, LAPD), aircraft OEMs (Airbus Helicopters), and universities and flight schools (Marshall University, Heli Academy, Mountainflyers, Heli Austria, Simplon Air, Sky Aviation, Vertical Mission Training, X-Aero). The company has raised $60 million across a $20M Series A (December 2022, led by Sky Dayton with Craft Ventures and UP.Partners) and a $24M Series B (August 2025, led by The Friedkin Group with Alaska Airlines, Sky Dayton, Craft Ventures, and UP.Partners), employs 100+ people, and operates dual headquarters in Dübendorf, Switzerland and Santa Monica, California. Sebastien Borel was appointed CEO in January 2026, with founder Fabi Riesen transitioning to CTO.

Name

Loft Dynamics

Legal name

Loft Dynamics AG

Website

https://loftdynamics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Loft Dynamics develops EASA-, FAA-, and JCAB-qualified full-motion VR flight simulators for helicopter and airline pilot training. Its H125, H145, and R22 FSTDs, plus Boeing 737/A320 in development, serve operators, governments, OEMs, and flight schools globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Simulation Training Devices (VR FSTDs)

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Primary Airframe Structures (Fuselage, Wing, Empennage) (IMABAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Displays & Human-Machine Interface (EFIS/HUD/HMD) (IMABAFAH), Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)

Keywords

• VR flight simulation
• Helicopter pilot training
• Flight training devices
• EASA qualified simulators
• Full-motion simulators

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Simulator hardware sales: One-time and project-based sales of qualified VR flight simulator units (H125, H145, R22, and emerging 737/A320 airliner simulators) to operators, OEMs, training academies, governments, and airlines; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.
2. Software and connected-suite subscriptions: Recurring software, training-management and data-intelligence offerings across the Loft ecosystem (LoftSIM, LoftHUB, LoftHOME, LofTWIN, AI-driven training intelligence, cloud training management). LoftHOME and AI training features are positioned as ongoing platform subscriptions extending qualified simulator training.
3. Professional services and support: Professional services around installation, qualification, integration, training, and ongoing technical support delivered alongside simulator sales (e.g., CBP contract via Davenport Aviation, AMO training center deployment, regulator qualification support).
4. OEM co-development / licensing: Co-development and embedded licensing arrangements with aircraft OEMs and airlines (Airbus Helicopters, Alaska Airlines) where simulators are integrated with aircraft programs and OEM customer offerings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Loft Dynamics develops and sells full-motion virtual reality flight simulation training devices (FSTDs) for helicopter and emerging fixed-wing pilot training. Its qualified simulators (Airbus H125, Airbus H145, Robinson R22) combine a full-scale replica cockpit, 360° 3D panoramic VR headset, six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform, and full-body pose tracking, and are complemented by a cloud-connected software ecosystem (LoftHUB, LofTWIN, LoftHOME). The company serves helicopter operators, airlines, aircraft OEMs, governments, and flight schools worldwide.

Product overview

Loft Dynamics offers a unified VR flight simulation platform composed of multiple qualified full-motion Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs) plus an expanding cloud-connected software ecosystem. The core simulator portfolio includes three qualified products: the Airbus H145 FSTD (professionals, FTD Level 3+), the Airbus H125 FSTD (operators, EASA FTD Level 3 / FAA Level 7 / JCAB Level 7), and the Robinson R22 FSTD (basic training, EASA FNPT II). These core FSTDs are complemented by modular add-ons — the FSTD Trailer (mobile deployment), the HESLO / Sling Load Trainer (a FAA- and EASA-qualified module for the H125), and LoftHOME (an at-home spatial training kit for Apple Vision Pro developed with Trifork). The connected layer consists of LoftHUB, a cloud-based training management portal that centralizes records and compliance, and LofTWIN, a VR demo mode that digitizes and distributes expert pilot instruction across the simulator fleet. Loft Dynamics is also expanding the platform into fixed-wing commercial airline training with new Boeing 737 (co-developed with Alaska Airlines) and Airbus A320 VR simulators. Loft Dynamics is the first company with VR simulators qualified by both EASA and the FAA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Loft Dynamics: Primary commercial brand for VR flight simulation training devices (FSTDs) qualified by EASA, FAA, and JCAB.
• LoftHOME
• LofTWIN
• LoftSIM
• LoftHUB

Products and services

• Airbus H145 FSTD Full-motion VR flight simulator for the four-ton-class twin-engine Airbus H145 helicopter, qualified to FTD Level 3 or higher. Performs proficiency checks (LPC and OPC), training credits, type ratings (normal and emergency), and instrument ratings using a full-scale replica cockpit, 360° panoramic view, and six-DOF motion platform; built in cooperation with Airbus Helicopters.
• Airbus H125 FSTD VR flight simulator for the Airbus H125 single-turbine helicopter, qualified to EASA FTD Level 3 (FAA Level 7 and JCAB Level 7 also achieved). Features force-feedback controls, hydraulic failure simulation, dynamic motion platform, 360° 3D VR environment, and pose tracking. Supports night flying, whiteout/brownout, NVG, and HESLO operations; the only VR H125 FSTD approved by Airbus Helicopters.
• Robinson R22 FSTD Basic-training VR flight simulator for the Robinson R22 helicopter, qualified to EASA FNPT II - the world's first VR training solution qualified to credit training time toward licenses. Supports PPL, CPL, NIT, type ratings (normal and emergency), night flying, and basic instrument flight training.
• FSTD Trailer Mobile deployment option for the Airbus H125 (EASA FTD Level 3) and Robinson R22 (EASA FNPT II) simulators. The 760cm x 250cm x 330cm trailer includes heating, air conditioning, a briefing room, and seats for two observers, requiring only electrical power and Internet to operate.
• HESLO / Sling Load Trainer VR training module for the Airbus H125 simulator enabling realistic helicopter external sling load (HESLO) operations practice. The world's only sling load FSTD qualified by FAA and EASA. Supports mirror and vertical reference techniques with adjustable rope lengths and varied loads (boxes, concrete buckets, Bambi Buckets, tree trunks).
• LoftHOME (Apple Vision Pro Training Kit) At-home spatial training kit for Apple Vision Pro, developed in partnership with Trifork. Enables pilots to practice real-world procedures and join Loft Dynamics simulator sessions remotely from home, with or without a physical Loft Dynamics simulator; bridges at-home rehearsal with certified simulator training.
• LofTWIN (VR Demo Mode) Cloud-connected virtual demonstration mode that digitizes flight instruction from world-renowned pilots and instructors (e.g., Airbus Helicopters and Air Zermatt), allowing the lessons to be deployed across the global Loft Dynamics simulator fleet. Provides consistent, expert-led VR instruction in immersive 3D for crew readiness.
• LoftHUB (Cloud-Based Training Management) Customer portal centralizing training records, licensing schedules, and mandatory checks across the Loft Dynamics simulator network. Keeps pilots and operators organized, compliant, and benchmarked against objective metrics; integrates with MapTiler for geographic visualization of training locations and routes.

Named customers20 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability7 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Inter-CraftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2026Japanese channel partner that introduced Loft Dynamics' VR technology to the Japanese market, coordinated JCAB qualification, and delivered the simulator to Nakanihon Air at Nagoya Airport.
• European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)coreOthers · 3 March 2026Co-launched the 'Safety First in the Himalayas' VR pilot training initiative in Nepal (Feb 25–Mar 25, 2026) with Airbus Helicopters, deploying a Loft Dynamics H125 VR simulator for high-altitude safety training; operates within the EU–South Asia Aviation Partnership Project framework.
• Helinet AviationminorOthers · 1 March 2026Kevin Gallagher (former LAPD Air Support chief pilot who architected LAPD's VR-centric curriculum) joined Helinet Aviation as Director of Operations; Helinet Aviation was featured as a Loft Fest 2026 keynote partner.
• CAE Inc., L3Harris Technologies, Thales Group, Boeing (industry peers)minorOthers · 1 March 2026Market research reports cited Loft Dynamics alongside legacy simulator incumbents (CAE, FlightSafety International, L3Harris, Thales, Boeing, Airbus) in the operator training simulator market.
• TriforkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2025Strategic partnership announced November 17, 2025 to co-develop LoftHOME, an at-home pilot training kit compatible with Apple Vision Pro. LoftHOME extends Loft Dynamics' qualified training ecosystem to pilots' homes and connects remotely to in-center simulator sessions. Trifork is a global technology company specializing in spatial computing.
• Apple (Apple Vision Pro)coreTechnology or Integration · 17 November 2025LoftHOME runs on Apple Vision Pro, with Apple featured as a keynote partner at Loft Fest 2026 (Michael Tchao, VP of Product Marketing at Apple). The platform is designed around spatial computing workflows familiar to Apple users, with pilots able to practice procedures and connect to in-center simulators remotely.
• Davenport AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 November 2025US channel partner that was awarded the contract to deploy Loft Dynamics' FAA/EASA-qualified H125 VR simulator at U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations' Oklahoma City training center (close to $2M contract). Davenport Aviation is the first US federal law enforcement channel for Loft Dynamics.
• Marshall UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025First U.S. university to integrate an FAA-approved VR flight simulator (FAA Level 7 H125) into its civil pilot training curriculum, hosted at Marshall's Aviation Campus in Charleston, WV. Loft Dynamics is working with Marshall and other schools, operators, and regulators globally to expand VR-based pilot training.
• Scott UrschelminorOthers · 28 July 2025Veteran helicopter pilot and safety advocate partnered with Loft Dynamics to introduce VR-based helicopter pilot training across North America.
• Airbus HelicoptersflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Strategic co-development partner; co-developed the H125 and H145 VR simulators and the type rating program. In May 2025, Airbus Helicopters became the first OEM to receive regulatory approval (DGAC) for VR-based type rating training powered by Loft Dynamics, and it installed the H125 simulator at its Marignane, France training academy. The two companies also partnered on the 'Safety First in the Himalayas' VR pilot training roadshow in Nepal (Feb–Mar 2026), and have an H145 simulator under development together.
• Alaska Airlines (Alaska Star Ventures)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Co-development and investment partnership announced April 4, 2025 to develop the first hyper-realistic, full-motion Boeing 737 VR flight simulator using extended reality technology. Alaska Airlines became Loft Dynamics' first fixed-wing customer and plans to install simulators at individual Alaska bases pending FAA approval. Alaska Star Ventures also participated in Loft Dynamics' $24M Series B.
• Randy Babbitt and Michael Huerta (advisory board)minorOthers · 1 July 2024Two former FAA administrators appointed to Loft Dynamics' advisory board to support the company's next phase of growth following the first FAA qualification of a VR FSTD.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• CAE Inc. CAE is the world's largest civil aviation training services company and the dominant supplier of commercial full-flight simulators. It competes with Loft Dynamics in airline pilot training via its larger FFS portfolio but lacks a VR-native FSTD product, positioning it as the incumbent Loft Dynamics is disrupting.
• FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International (a Berkshire Hathaway company) is one of the largest aviation training organizations globally, operating a fleet of FFSs and training centers. It serves the same operator, airline, and government buyer segments as Loft Dynamics with traditional, capital-intensive simulators.
• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a major defense and commercial simulation vendor with full-motion FFS products. It serves military and commercial pilot training markets overlapping with Loft Dynamics' rotorcraft and fixed-wing customers and is cited alongside CAE and Thales in the operator training simulator market.
• Thales Group: Thales is a global aerospace and defense prime that supplies flight simulation equipment to airlines, OEMs, and militaries. It competes in the broader operator training simulator market where Loft Dynamics is positioning its B737/A320 simulators.
• TRU Simulation + Training: TRU Simulation + Training (a Textron company) provides full-flight simulators and aviation training devices across commercial, business, and military markets. It is a legacy FFS player in the operator training market alongside CAE, FlightSafety, and L3Harris.

Emerging players

• VRpilot: VRpilot is an emerging VR flight simulator developer focused on general aviation and helicopter training. It is a direct VR-native competitor to Loft Dynamics in the rotorcraft and light-aircraft training segments but lacks Loft Dynamics' FAA/EASA/JCAB regulatory qualifications.
• Visionary Training Resources: Visionary Training Resources develops VR-based pilot training tools and is an emerging competitor in the VR FSTD category. It overlaps with Loft Dynamics in lower-fidelity rotorcraft and piston training use cases but trails on regulatory qualifications.
• Ryan Aerospace: Ryan Aerospace builds VR helicopter training simulators for military and civil operators. It is a direct emerging VR competitor focused on rotorcraft, comparable to Loft Dynamics but without FAA Level 7 / EASA FTD Level 3 qualifications at scale.
• Precision Flight Controls: Precision Flight Controls makes sim hardware (yokes, rudders, motion platforms) used by flight schools and universities. It is an adjacent simulator ecosystem player to Loft Dynamics' training centers and university customers such as Marshall University.

Regional players

• AeroStar Training (Aviation Training Consultants): AeroStar Training (Aviation Training Consultants) is an FAA-qualified helicopter training organization operating legacy FFSs in regional US markets. It represents the type of incumbent training provider Loft Dynamics' portable FSTD trailer and on-site simulators are disrupting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/loftdynamics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vrm-switzerland
• Instagraminstagram.com/loftdynamics

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Loft Dynamics