Training & Simulation
Put your team in the right frame of mind the moment they enter the simulation environment – keeping them deeply focused and completely engaged in their training.
Benefits of virtual and mixed reality training
What if your trainees could rehearse the most complex, high-stakes scenarios without risking a single asset, second, or step? Discover how Varjo’s professional-grade XR solutions reduce costs, accelerate training, and improve trainee performance—all while maintaining mission-critical security and precision.
Read more about the the game-changing benefits of VR training below.
Benefits of VR training
Portability
- The size and weight of physical simulators can be reduced by up to 80% with the help of VR/XR solutions.
Traditional dome simulators are massive, immobile structures that require dedicated facilities, specialized maintenance, and significant upfront investment. These full-scale simulators are heavy, demand large, climate-controlled spaces, and often take weeks or months to install and calibrate. In contrast, VR and XR-based training solutions drastically reduce the size and complexity of high-fidelity flight simulation. With lightweight, transportable XR headsets, organizations can deploy realistic, full-mission training scenarios in any location, from classrooms to remote military bases. This mobility allows pilots to train on-demand which increases readiness without the logistical constraints of traditional simulators. By eliminating the need for permanent infrastructure, XR solutions make high-end flight simulation more scalable, accessible, and future-proof.
Fast Company & Loft Dynamics, 2024.
Cost savings
- Flight training with VR and XR devices could save $350 million annually for an institution such as the U.S. Air Force.
Traditional flight simulators can be prohibitively expensive. In contrast, VR-based flight training setups can be implemented at a fraction of this cost. Training in real aircraft is essential for operational readiness, but using expensive jets, helicopters, or commercial planes for basic skill development is neither cost-effective nor scalable. Every flight hour in a military or commercial aircraft can cost thousands of dollars, factoring in fuel, maintenance, and crew resources. By integrating XR-based training solutions, pilots can develop fundamental skills on the ground without the expense and risk of live aircraft training. XR simulations allow trainees to master cockpit procedures, emergency responses, and mission protocols in a safe, repeatable, and cost-efficient environment before they ever step into a real cockpit. With Varjo, training institutions can scale their programs, enabling more pilots to train simultaneously without being limited by aircraft availability. The benefits of VR training are clear and overall training costs can be significantly reduced, while ensuring higher readiness and operational efficiency.
Reduced training time
- VR and XR can reduce up to 50% of the time required for independent flight competence.
Traditional pilot training programs require extensive time in both simulators and real aircraft. This leads to long training cycles and high resource consumption. The U.S. Air Force’s Undergraduate Pilot Training program found that immersive XR training reduced the time to solo flight by 50%. Trainees can achieve critical flight milestones in half the time compared to traditional methods. By reallocating in-air training hours to high-fidelity XR simulations, pilots build proficiency more efficiently, leading to maximum time in the air for advanced skill refinement rather than basic repetition. As a result, pilot certification can now be awarded 4–6 months earlier than with previous training methodologies, significantly accelerating the pipeline for mission-ready aviators. This reduction in training duration not only lowers overall costs but also increases throughput, ensuring that more pilots are prepared for real-world operations in less time.
Improved competence
- T-6 students trained with XR outperformed their non-XR peers in 14/14 categories.
Integrating XR into pilot training programs has demonstrated significant improvements in trainee performance. Notably, T-6 student pilots trained using immersive technologies outperformed their peers across all 14 evaluated categories. This comprehensive enhancement underscores XR’s effectiveness in developing a wide range of piloting skills.
Further supporting these findings, a study by Guthridge and Clinton-Lisell revealed that virtual reality simulators substantially improve the execution of visually based maneuvers. The research indicates that VR-based training serves as an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional, more expensive simulators, without compromising training quality.
Reduced resources
- VR and XR can reduce up to 2/3 of the physical materials used for training and testing.
Traditional pilot training methods often require substantial physical materials and resources, including fuel, maintenance equipment, and consumables, leading to increased operational costs and environmental impact. By integrating XR into training programs, organizations can significantly reduce the need for these physical resources. For example, immersive training environments allow pilots to practice procedures and maneuvers virtually. This minimizes wear and tear on actual aircraft and conserving fuel. In addition to cost savings, this shift supports sustainability initiatives by lowering the carbon footprint associated with traditional training methods. XR training enables the replication of complex scenarios without the logistical challenges of setting up physical simulations which further reduces material usage and waste.
Expanding market
- The global market for training simulations is expected to reach approximately $900M by the year 2027.
The global market for virtual training and simulation is experiencing significant growth, reflecting the increasing adoption of immersive technologies across various sectors, such as defense, civil aviation, healthcare, and education.
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Get in touch with our experts to learn how you can benefit from VR/XR training
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