The U.S. Army is planning to experiment with virtual reality (VR) simulators in a bid to bolster the basic helicopter-flying skills of its students long before they step inside an actual rotorcraft.

Even with motion bases and control loading, these devices cost a fraction of the price of full-flight simulators Leonardo simulator engineer Ermes Marcigaglia ran the VxR AW119 simulator at Heli-Expo.

Pilots were able to safety handle real sling loads after the VR training The virtual reality outside view of Loft Dynamics' Airbus H125 simulator during helicopter sling load training The twin rotor ...