Loft Dynamics, a Switzerland-based virtual reality (VR) flight training startup, has raised $24 million in a Series B round led by Friedkin, with participation from Alaska Airlines and existing backers Sky Dayton, Craft Ventures, and UP.Partners.
The new funding brings the company’s total capital raised to $60 million and will fuel expansion into commercial airline pilot training while strengthening its established helicopter training business.
Loft Dynamics is the only company with FAA- and EASA-qualified VR helicopter simulators, already deployed by Airbus Helicopters, the Los Angeles Police Department, and Air Greenland.
The firm is now aiming to bring the same technology to commercial aviation, starting with full-motion Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 simulators that are up to 12 times smaller and far less expensive than traditional full-flight simulators.
Pilot training hasn’t kept pace with the rest of aviation. We’re still sending trainees to sit in $10–$20 million warehouse-sized domes—technology that hasn’t evolved in decades. In an era of pilot shortages and increasing air mobility, that’s simply no longer sustainable
Loft Dynamics CEO and founder Fabi Riesen
The new systems will combine replica multi-crew cockpits with body and eye tracking, AI-driven training insights, and “LofTWIN”—a replay tool that lets pilots review immersive lessons on demand.
Beyond professional simulators, Loft is also building a spatial computing–powered home training kit to give pilots flexible access to practice and review sessions remotely.
The aviation industry has faced mounting pilot shortages in recent years, with regulators and airlines searching for scalable training solutions. Loft Dynamics’ bet is that VR-based systems—smaller, more affordable, and accessible, can both expand training capacity and improve safety.
