Loft Dynamics
Loft Dynamics is a Swiss aviation-simulation company that develops compact, regulatory-qualified virtual-reality flight-training systems.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Loft Dynamics is a Swiss aviation simulation and pilot-training company headquartered in Dübendorf, near Zurich. Founded in 2016, the company develops virtual-reality flight simulators for helicopter, electric vertical take-off and landing, and fixed-wing training. Its systems combine a full-scale replica cockpit, a motion platform, high-resolution virtual reality, and a proprietary pose-tracking system intended to reproduce the visual, physical, and operational characteristics of real flight while occupying substantially less space than a conventional full-flight simulator. The company was founded by Swiss electrical engineer and pilot Fabi Riesen and Christian Marty. Riesen led the business as chief executive from its founding through 2025 and has continued as chief technology officer. In January 2026, Loft Dynamics announced Sebastien Borel as chief executive. Former FAA administrators Randy Babbitt and Michael Huerta joined the company's advisory board in 2024. Loft Dynamics' central proposition is to make high-fidelity pilot training safer, more accessible, and less expensive than training exclusively in aircraft or using large legacy simulators. Its systems are designed for difficult or hazardous procedures, including emergency operations, confined-area work, external sling-load operations, and other scenarios that can be costly or dangerous to reproduce in an aircraft. The company's software can also represent varied operating environments and missions, allowing operators to train repeatedly without aircraft availability, weather, fuel, or airspace constraints. The company achieved an important regulatory milestone in 2021 when the European Union Aviation Safety Agency qualified its Robinson R22 simulator for Flight Training Device Level 3 training. EASA subsequently qualified its Airbus H125 simulator in 2022 and approved a helicopter external sling-load training feature in 2024. In July 2024, the United States Federal Aviation Administration qualified Loft Dynamics' H125 simulator, making it the first virtual-reality device to receive that qualification in the United States according to the company and reference material. These approvals positioned Loft Dynamics as a prominent developer of regulator-recognized VR flight-training technology. Its customer and partner base has included helicopter operators, aircraft manufacturers, aviation schools, government agencies, police organizations, universities, and airlines. Named users and partners include Airbus Helicopters, the FAA, Alaska Airlines, Air Greenland, Air Zermatt, Blackcomb Helicopters, the Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division, Marshall University, Colorado Highland Helicopters, and Helitrans. In 2024, Loft Dynamics opened a North American headquarters and training center at Santa Monica Airport and announced an H125 simulator purchase by the Los Angeles Police Department. Loft Dynamics has expanded beyond conventional helicopter training. In 2024, it partnered with Dufour Aerospace to develop an Aero3 eVTOL simulator, described as the first VR simulator developed for eVTOL training. In 2025, it announced a fixed-wing initiative with Alaska Airlines to co-develop Boeing 737 VR simulators, with the stated aim of improving the reach and realism of airline pilot training while reducing the space and cost burden of traditional equipment. The company also raised venture financing to support international expansion, including a reported $20 million round in 2022 and a $24 million Series B round in 2025.
History
Loft Dynamics was established in 2016 in Switzerland by Fabi Riesen, an electrical engineer and pilot, and Christian Marty. The company formed around the idea that immersive virtual reality, combined with physical motion and a representative cockpit, could provide a practical alternative or complement to large conventional flight simulators. Its systems use a full-scale cockpit replica, a dynamic six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform, high-resolution panoramic virtual environments, and pose tracking intended to align the pilot's physical movements with the simulated aircraft. The equipment is designed to be considerably smaller than traditional full-flight simulators. The company's early focus was rotorcraft training. In April 2021, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency qualified Loft Dynamics' Robinson R22 simulator as a Flight Training Device Level 3 device. This was a major validation of the company's approach because regulatory qualification allows simulator time to support formal pilot training rather than serving only as an informal visualization or familiarization tool. Loft Dynamics expanded its aircraft portfolio and industrial relationships in 2022. At HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas, it entered a commercial partnership with Airbus Helicopters. EASA qualified the company's Airbus H125 simulator in May, and the device was launched at Helitrans in Norway. Later that year, Loft Dynamics and Airbus Helicopters extended their relationship to the development of a simulator for the twin-engine H145. In December, Loft Dynamics announced $20 million in venture financing from investors including Craft Ventures, Sky Dayton, and UP.Partners to support international expansion. In 2023, Loft Dynamics broadened its engagement with the U.S. aviation authorities. The FAA began testing two Loft Dynamics simulators at its William J. Hughes Technical Center in New Jersey. The work was connected with safety and efficiency objectives associated with the Next Generation Air Transportation System. The company also expanded its operator footprint, including installation of a simulator at Blackcomb Helicopters in Whistler, British Columbia, late in the year. The company's North American presence increased in 2024. In February, it opened a North American headquarters and VR flight-simulator training center at Santa Monica Airport. The center included an H125 simulator and supported the company's work with U.S. operators. During the same month, the Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division announced the purchase of an H125 simulator for pilot training. Other North American relationships included Blackcomb Helicopters, Colorado Highland Helicopters, and Marshall University. Loft Dynamics also began moving into new mission and aircraft categories. In May 2024, it partnered with Dufour Aerospace to develop an Aero3 simulator for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. In June, EASA approved a helicopter external sling-load training feature, described as the first regulatory approval of its kind for a VR helicopter simulator. In July, the FAA qualified the company's H125 simulator, a milestone that the company described as the first U.S. qualification of a virtual-reality flight-training device of this type. In 2025, Loft Dynamics entered fixed-wing simulation through a partnership with Alaska Airlines. The companies announced a plan to co-develop Boeing 737 VR simulators intended to address the cost, physical footprint, and accessibility limitations of conventional airline full-flight simulators. The proposed program represented a significant expansion from helicopter training into commercial airline pilot training. In August, the company announced a $24 million Series B financing round led by Dan Friedkin and The Friedkin Group, with participation from Alaska Airlines, Sky Dayton, Craft Ventures, and UP.Partners. The reported financing brought total capital raised to $60 million. Later in 2025, the reference material reported planned installations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and PHI Air Medical. These deployments would extend the company's user base into federal law enforcement and air medical operations. In January 2026, Sebastien Borel was announced as chief executive, while Riesen continued as chief technology officer. Loft Dynamics therefore entered its next phase as a private aviation-technology company serving rotorcraft, eVTOL, and fixed-wing markets through regulator-recognized immersive simulation.
- 2025
Entry into fixed-wing simulation
[1]The company announced a Boeing 737 VR simulator development program with Alaska Airlines.
- 2024
U.S. expansion and regulatory advances
[1]Loft Dynamics opened its Santa Monica center, received FAA qualification for its H125 simulator, and obtained EASA approval for a VR external sling-load feature.
- 2023
FAA testing begins
[1]The FAA installed two Loft Dynamics simulators at its New Jersey technical center for testing and evaluation.
- 2022
Airbus partnership and H125 qualification
[1]Loft Dynamics entered a commercial relationship with Airbus Helicopters, while EASA qualified its H125 simulator.
- 2021
EASA qualifies Robinson R22 simulator
[1]EASA approved the company's Robinson R22 simulator for Flight Training Device Level 3 qualified training.
- 2016
Company founded
[1]Fabi Riesen and Christian Marty founded Loft Dynamics in Switzerland to develop immersive aviation simulation and pilot-training technology.
Products and positioning
A digital aviation-training pioneer focused on compact, immersive, motion-enabled, and regulator-recognized virtual-reality simulators for safer and more accessible pilot training.
Helicopter flight simulator · 2021
Robinson R22 VR simulator
A virtual-reality simulator for the Robinson R22 light helicopter. Its EASA Flight Training Device Level 3 qualification made it suitable for formal qualified training and helped establish Loft Dynamics' regulatory credibility in rotorcraft simulation.
Helicopter flight simulator · 2022
Airbus H125 VR simulator
A full-scale, motion-enabled virtual-reality simulator for the Airbus H125. The system supports repeatable training for normal, abnormal, and mission-specific operations and received qualification from EASA and the FAA.
Helicopter flight simulator · 2022
Airbus H145 VR simulator
A twin-engine helicopter training device developed in the context of Loft Dynamics' extended relationship with Airbus Helicopters. It is intended to support realistic H145 procedures and operational training.
Helicopter mission training · 2024
HESLO training feature
A helicopter external sling-load training capability designed to let pilots rehearse demanding load operations in a controlled virtual environment. EASA approved the feature in 2024.
eVTOL flight simulator · 2024
Aero3 VR simulator
An eVTOL simulator being developed with Dufour Aerospace for the Aero3 aircraft. The program extends Loft Dynamics' platform into electric aviation and was presented as the first VR simulator designed specifically for eVTOL training.
Fixed-wing flight simulator · 2025
Boeing 737 VR simulator
A fixed-wing virtual-reality simulator program announced with Alaska Airlines. The planned system is intended to reproduce Boeing 737 training scenarios in a more compact and potentially more accessible format than traditional full-flight simulators.
Brand decisions
2025
Expand into airline pilot trainingStrategyBackground
Airlines face high costs and limited availability for conventional full-flight simulators, creating an opportunity for compact immersive systems.
Action taken
Loft Dynamics and Alaska Airlines announced joint development of Boeing 737 VR simulators.
Aftermath
The initiative marked Loft Dynamics' move from primarily rotorcraft simulation into fixed-wing commercial aviation training.
2025
Raise Series B capitalStrategyBackground
The company sought additional funding to support product development and commercial growth across helicopter, eVTOL, and fixed-wing markets.
Action taken
Loft Dynamics announced a $24 million Series B led by Dan Friedkin and The Friedkin Group, with participation from Alaska Airlines, Sky Dayton, Craft Ventures, and UP.Partners.
Aftermath
The round reportedly brought total capital raised to $60 million and provided financing for further expansion.
Series B financing. $24 million (August 2025)
2024
Establish a North American operating baseStrategyBackground
Growing relationships with U.S. and Canadian aviation operators created a need for local training and customer support capacity.
Action taken
Loft Dynamics opened a North American headquarters and VR training center at Santa Monica Airport.
Aftermath
The facility supported H125 training and increased the company's ability to serve North American customers, including the Los Angeles Police Department.
2024
Enter eVTOL simulationProduct launchBackground
The growth of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft created demand for new training tools and procedures.
Action taken
Loft Dynamics partnered with Dufour Aerospace to develop an Aero3 VR simulator.
Aftermath
The partnership expanded Loft Dynamics' addressable market beyond conventional helicopters and positioned its technology for emerging electric aircraft operations.
2022
Accelerate international expansionStrategyBackground
After obtaining regulatory recognition for its rotorcraft simulators and forming an Airbus Helicopters partnership, Loft Dynamics sought capital to expand outside Switzerland.
Action taken
The company announced a $20 million venture-financing round involving Craft Ventures, Sky Dayton, and UP.Partners.
Aftermath
The financing supported broader international commercialization and expansion of the company's operator and training-center network.
Venture financing. $20 million (December 2022)
Recent events
- 2026
Sebastien Borel appointed chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Loft Dynamics announced Sebastien Borel as chief executive, with Fabi Riesen moving into the chief technology officer role.
- 2025
Loft Dynamics enters fixed-wing simulation with Alaska Airlines[1]
Product launch
Loft Dynamics and Alaska Airlines announced a program to co-develop Boeing 737 virtual-reality simulators for airline pilot training.
- 2025
Loft Dynamics announces Series B financing[1]
Other
The company announced a $24 million Series B round led by Dan Friedkin and The Friedkin Group, with participation from Alaska Airlines, Sky Dayton, Craft Ventures, and UP.Partners.
- 2025
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and PHI Air Medical adopt Loft Dynamics simulators[1]
Product launch
The reference material reported planned installation of Loft Dynamics simulators by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and PHI Air Medical.
- 2024
Loft Dynamics opens North American headquarters and training center[1]
Product launch
Loft Dynamics opened a North American headquarters and VR flight-training center at Santa Monica Airport, featuring an Airbus H125 simulator.
- 2024
Los Angeles Police Department purchases an H125 simulator[1]
Product launch
The Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division purchased an Airbus H125 virtual-reality simulator for pilot training.
- 2024
Loft Dynamics and Dufour Aerospace develop Aero3 eVTOL simulator[1]
Product launch
The companies announced development of an Aero3 virtual-reality simulator for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
- 2024
FAA qualifies Loft Dynamics H125 simulator[1]
Regulation · Product generation
The FAA qualified Loft Dynamics' H125 simulator, described in the reference material as the first VR device to receive this qualification in the United States.
- 2023
FAA begins testing Loft Dynamics VR simulators[1]
Regulation · Other
The FAA and Loft Dynamics began testing the company's helicopter simulators at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in New Jersey in support of safety and efficiency objectives.
- 2022
Loft Dynamics expands Airbus Helicopters relationship[1]
M&A · Product launch
The company entered a commercial partnership with Airbus Helicopters and later extended the relationship to development of an H145 training device.
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