Aviation Joby Relies on Flight Simulators From CAE for eVTOL Pilot Training

Related Vendor

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

With the advent of air cabs, it is necessary to train pilots accordingly. Joby Aviation is preparing for the first wave of air cab pilot training with CAE flight simulators. The first of two CAE simulators has been completed and is currently being prepared for installation at Joby's pilot training facility in California.

eVTOL developer Joby Aviation will soon be able to deploy the first of two flight simulators created in collaboration with CAE. The simulators, which are expected to qualify for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) highest flight simulation classifications, provide the ultra-realistic environment required for commercial single-pilot eVTOL operations and are equipped with the same simulation technology used to train pilots for various airlines.

"These simulators are central to the FAA's certification process and will be delivered on time to support pilot training ahead of Joby's first commercial flights scheduled for this year," said Bonny Simi, President of Operations at Joby. "Developing flight simulators that are fully certified by the FAA takes years of work and access to aircraft data and is required for Part 135 eVTOL aircraft operations in the United States."

Simulators Support the Training of Up to 250 Pilots per Year

The first generation of the Series 3000 simulator will be installed this month at Joby's recently expanded manufacturing and pilot training center in Marina, California. The second unit, a full-motion simulator, is expected to arrive later this year. Once operational, Joby will be able to expand its eVTOL pilot training program, with the two simulators supporting the training of up to 250 pilots per year.

Joby and CAE began their collaboration in 2022. The aim is to ensure that the simulators are qualified before the aircraft enter service. The first simulator is expected to be qualified by the FAA as a Level 7 flight training device; the second will be a Level C full-flight simulator simulating Joby aircraft in all axes of motion.

Gaming Technology for Detailed 3D City Views

Both simulators have a field of view of 300 x 130 degrees and offer pilots an unobstructed, fully immersive visual experience made possible by the CAE Prodigy Image Generator (IG). This utilizes Epic Games' Unreal Engine gaming technology to deliver highly realistic, detailed 3D city views for more realistic pilot training in a virtual environment. CAE's immersive environment uses artificial intelligence to create detailed 3D buildings and lifelike urban environments, providing a seamless training backdrop for air cab operations.

In addition to its high-resolution graphics, the simulator features audio cues, turbulence and vibration systems that accurately reflect real-world flight conditions, including the unique conditions of wind flow around ground-based structures. "These highly accurate simulators are designed as digital twins of our aircraft and provide us with a means of regulatory compliance as well as a robust tool to prepare our pilots for the unique demands of high volume operations in urban environments," said Simi.

Over several years, Joby worked with CAE to develop and test simulator components and software using a combination of simulated, emulated and real hardware in Marina, Santa Cruz and San Carlos, as well as at the company's software development facility in Costa Rica. The system reproduces all aspects of flight physics and human factors and fully complies with FAA flight simulator qualification standards. (se)

Electric Flights on the Rise

World's First Public Airport-to-Airport Flight With eVTOL

Aviation

In China, Air Taxis are on the Verge of Being Introduced