{"id":16969,"date":"2019-10-15T17:50:10","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T17:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/10\/15\/cracking-the-da-vinci-code-virtual-reality-accelerates-helicopter-aviator-training\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:26:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:26:42","slug":"cracking-the-da-vinci-code-virtual-reality-accelerates-helicopter-aviator-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/training-sim\/2019\/10\/15\/cracking-the-da-vinci-code-virtual-reality-accelerates-helicopter-aviator-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Cracking the \u2018da Vinci\u2019 code: Virtual reality accelerates helicopter aviator training"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aspiring Air Force helicopter pilots are now learning to fly using virtual reality<\/a> \u2014 and the first class to do so just graduated six weeks ahead of schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first six students to take part in the experimental VR-augmented training program<\/a> \u2014 called Rotary Wing Next and nicknamed \u201cProject da Vinci” after the famed inventor \u2014 graduated at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Oct. 11, Air Education and Training Command said in release that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, the Air Force hopes to cut its vertical-lift aviator training from 28 weeks to 14 weeks, and to double the number of students it produces<\/a> each year from 60 to 120, without adding more aircraft or flying hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re seeing the vast potential of this program unfold right in front of us,\u201d said Lt. Col. Jake Brittingham, commander of the 23rd Flying Training Squadron at Fort Rucker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project da Vinci is yet another addition to the Air Force\u2019s rapidly expanding Pilot Training Next program. In February 2018, the Air Force began testing a system in Austin, Texas, using virtual reality goggles, advanced flight simulators, artificial intelligence and biometrics to teach aspiring aviators how to fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Air Force feels the program has been a success, and is planning variations \u2014 under the rubric \u201cLearning Next\u201d \u2014 to teach other airmen how to do technical jobs such as maintenance. The Air Force has also brought the virtual reality pilot program to the Air Force Academy, and is planning a version for flying remotely-piloted aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Leonardo da Vinci was the first to dream up the concept of a rotational, vertical lift aircraft and sketched out his Helical Air Screw idea in 1493 — about 450 years before the first true helicopter actually took flight. (leonardodavinci.net)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Brittingham said in the release that the first Project da Vinci test, which supplemented flights in actual aircraft with virtual reality, cut aircraft flying time by about 35 percent. The students also got 15 more hours of practice time at aircraft controls by using virtual reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program still used older, non-VR simulators for some events, Brittingham said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The students who arrived at this specialized undergraduate pilot training-helicopter class on May 7 had no idea they would be the first to test VR training, Brittingham said, and took their first spin in a simulator the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\t