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?(Image from Loft Dynamics website)Loft Dynamics announced on Aug. 21 that its latest Series B funding round has raised $24 million, bringing its total funding to $60 million. Friedkin, Alaska Airlines, Sky Dayton, Craft Ventures and UP.Partners are credited as major participants in the funding.
The company developed the only VR helicopter simulator that is approved by the FAA and EASA and now plans to use its latest funding to expand into commercial airline pilot training. The company states that its immediate focus is on developing a cloud-connected training suite, which it claims will be the world's first fully integrated hardware and software system for pilot training.
"Pilot training hasn't kept pace with the rest of aviation," said Fabi Riesen, founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics. "We're still sending trainees across the country 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. We're building a new standard—one that's far more realistic and accessible. High-quality, regular training leads to better pilots. And better pilots mean safer skies."
Initial offerings will include Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 VR airliner simulators that it claims are a fraction of the cost of traditional full-flight simulators. The simulators will have body and eye tracking, a multi-crew replica cockpit and an AI-powered training intelligence. It will also feature virtual demonstration mode, LofTWIN, that enables instructors to record lessons that can be replayed for review.
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Loft Dynamics states that it is also developing a spatial computing-powered home training kit to further increase training accessibility.
"This funding round isn't just a milestone—it's a signal," said Riesen. "A signal that the wider industry is ready for change. We're proud to have the backing of Friedkin, Alaska Airlines and our existing shareholders. I'm thrilled to welcome Dan to our board—his strategic insight and passion for aviation will be invaluable as we scale. Together, we're building a safer, smarter, more accessible future for aviation training—one that serves operators, regulators and pilots, and protects the millions of passengers who rely on them."