A Pilot’s Perspective: Virtual Reality, The Future?

The aviation industry has seen significant shifts due to economic changes and recurring shortages. Gone are the days when expensive education automatically led to high-paying jobs. Today, aviation resembles running a business: think, invest, work hard, and earn, with a bit of luck. The past 25 years have shown a pattern: post-crisis layoffs followed by shortages. This necessitates serious decision-making and financial investment, as aviation remains an expensive field to enter.

Education is crucial. When the market is favorable, aviation training—be it for pilots or aircraft maintenance—seems attractive. However, these educations are long and costly, often resulting in significant debt. Graduates may face unfavorable job markets if economic conditions change during their education.

This is where Virtual Reality (VR) comes into play. VR represents the future of training by significantly reducing education costs. This makes aviation training more accessible, encouraging more people to pursue it and potentially alleviating shortages. It also reduces the risk of incurring large debts. While some hands-on training is still necessary, VR can replace a substantial portion of aviation training, especially theoretical aspects and maintenance training. This promises considerable cost savings for the future of aviation.