Leonardo showcases virtual cockpit trainer

Leonardo's AW159 virtual cockpit procedures trainer. The screen shows the trainee's view in the HMD. On the desk is the tablet-hosted instructor/operator station. (Giles Ebbutt)

Leonardo has developed an AW159 virtual cockpit procedures trainer (VCPT) as a concept demonstrator and unveiled it at the 2026 International Training Technology Exhibition and Conference (ITEC 26) held in London in April. The AW159 is the Wildcat in UK service.

Cameron Bell, an applications specialist for Leonardo, told Janes at ITEC 26 that the VCPT has been under development for about two years. Consisting of a head mounted display (HMD: for the demonstration the company used Varjo's XR-3), a laptop, a personal computer, haptic gloves, and a tracking device it provides an immersive training environment. The setup mirrors the cockpit of the AW159, designed so that pilots can train for normal, malfunction and emergency procedures without risk.

Within the AW159 cockpit environment generated in the HMD the trainee's gloved hands are tracked and visible, with haptic feedback provided by the controls. These do not include flight controls such as the joystick: actual flying procedures are outside the scope of the trainer.

The synthetic environment, the digital 3D model of the AW159 cockpit, and the simulation software are all Leonardo's proprietary products, Bell said. The simulator is controlled by a tablet-hosted instructor/operator station. The training can be guided, with visual assistance provided in the HMD for self-paced training, or non-guided as a test. The station allows live intervention so an instructor can insert malfunctions or emergencies.

Bell said the simulator can be used for ab initio familiarisation training, currency maintenance and check testing. He noted that the simulator is portable and could be deployed on board ship, for example, to maintain embarked flight crew skills without using live aircraft.