At the European Aviation Training Summit, Boeing unveiled its latest innovation: the Virtual Airplane Procedures Trainer (VAPT). This new training platform, the first application in the broader Virtual Airplane product suite, is a significant advancement for pilot training. Developed in partnership with Microsoft, it leverages the power of Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Flight Simulator to deliver an immersive, accessible, and highly customizable training experience.
The platform is designed to empower both pilots and flight training teams by providing high-fidelity, 3D simulations that can be run on lightweight devices like computers and iPads. This accessibility allows pilots to engage in realistic flight-deck practice anytime, anywhere, which helps standardize training, reduce simulator familiarization time, and ultimately improve overall pilot readiness before they transition to full-scale flight training devices.
A key feature is the intuitive authoring tool, which gives training operators a configurable, self-service system to manage content. This tool enables them to author, customize, and instantly distribute new or updated training lessons and procedures across their entire pilot pool. This flexibility allows airlines to quickly adapt their training programs to meet specific organizational and individual needs.
Boeing executives highlighted the product’s impact. Chris Raymond, CEO of Boeing Global Services, emphasized its potential to change how and when pilots train, offering much-needed flexibility. Chris Broom, VP of Commercial Training Solutions, connected the launch directly to Boeing’s commitment to enhancing aviation safety by allowing pilots to hone their skills effectively.
Microsoft’s Dayan Rodriguez reinforced the partnership’s goal: accelerating learning and optimizing confidence for pilots, with safety as the core principle. Initially available for the Boeing 737 MAX, with more models to follow, Virtual Airplane represents a major step in using digital innovation to improve customer outcomes and advance the future of flight training.
