Computer-aided engineering (CAE) is developing an app that could redefine how pilots can be trained to operate one of many different aircraft, such as the Bombardier Global 7500. While the app has yet to be officially released or even have an official name, early feedback states that it is very promising for airmen in training.

Flying Anywhere With Apple

CAE has announced a brand new flight simulation app for Apple Vision Pro at the 2024 National Business Aviation Association's NBAA-BACE event in Las Vegas, Nevada. Using this app, pilots will be able to train and prepare for flight operations outside of a typical training center environment. As an early preview, patrons of the event were able to get a hands-on demo of the app.

Harnessing the power of augmented reality (AR), the app will generate life-like control decks of planes such as the Bombardier Global 7500. The app will also utilize spatial computing to provide full functionality to every button, switch, and display generated on the artificial deck. The user will wear the Apple Vision Pro headset to look around the control deck and get an authentic feel of being in control of an aircraft.

The app will include three main modes: 
 

• "Exploration Mode" allows users to access controls and receive descriptions of how each control works. 
• "Guided Mode" gives users a step-by-step tutorial on performing specific procedures in the cockpit. 
• "Flight Deck Interaction Model" lets users simulate a flight without any guidance or tutorials given out.

This new app will not replace traditional flight training procedures but will allow pilots to receive supplemental experience to ensure optimal performance in the cockpit. CAE's Chief Technology and Product Officer Emmanuel Levitte commented on the new app at NBAA-BACE:

“This Apple Vision Pro app developed by CAE will allow pilots to familiarize themselves with the flight deck, practice critical procedures, and develop muscle memory for key functions from anywhere...It will allow pilots to engage with realistic flight deck environments to further ensure they are ready for their full-flight simulator sessions and become even better prepared for any situation.”
 

Alexandre Prévost, CAE's Division President of Business Aviation Training also chimed in on the app currently in development:

“The power and unique capabilities of Apple Vision Pro, combined with CAE’s training environment, will give pilots more flexibility and better prepare them for the transition from ground school to the simulator...With CAE’s Apple Vision Pro app, we are not only providing our customers more convenience but are also enhancing training efficiency at a time when the aviation industry faces an increased need to train new pilots.”
 

CAE Director of Incubation Erick Fortin also revealed details on the app's future.

"So far, we received great feedback...We are still developing this application; it’s not fully released yet...At the moment, we do not need to work on more aircraft. The goal is to fine-tune the application.”

CAE's new Apple Vision Pro app is scheduled to be released sometime during the spring of 2025.

Apple Vision Pro was first released on February 2, 2024, starting at $3,499 or $291.58 per month for 12 months. Plans of a "Vision Pro 2" had reportedly been scrapped so the company could focus on making a more affordable Vision Pro 1 model.

Other Flight Simulation Apps

Aspiring pilots have had access to many flight simulation programs since the 1980s. One of the most known is the "Microsoft Flight Simulator", which was first released for IBM computers back in November 1982. 15 new editions later, Microsoft is slated to release "Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024" for Xbox Series X/S on November 19, 2024. A Windows version will be released a month later on December 28, 2024.

Arguably, Microsoft Flight Simulator's biggest competitor is X-Plane 12. While the program's history isn't as rich as Microsoft's, the latest edition provides realistic flight simulation with aircraft such as the Boeing 737-800 and the Airbus A330-300. X-Plane 12 is currently available for Windows computers via digital download or Steam. A mobile version, known as X-Plane Mobile, is also free to download on the App Store and Google Play Store.