Boeing launches Virtual Airplane Procedures Trainer to modernize pilot training
Summary Points:
- Boeing introduced its new Virtual Airplane Procedures Trainer (VAPT) at the European Aviation Training Summit in Cascais, Portugal.
- The training platform uses Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Flight Simulator to deliver immersive, customizable pilot training.
- VAPT offers realistic flight-deck simulations, an intuitive authoring tool, and global accessibility across multiple devices.
CASCAIS, Portugal - The Boeing Company in Arlington County, Va., announced the launch of its new training technology, the Virtual Airplane Procedures Trainer (VAPT), at the European Aviation Training Summit in Cascais, Portugal. Powered by Microsoft's Azure cloud computing platform and Microsoft Flight Simulator, the new platform provides pilots and flight training teams with immersive, accessible, and customizable tools to enhance learning and readiness.
"We're very excited about the launch of Virtual Airplane. This new software will significantly impact how and when pilots and operators train and will provide them with much-needed flexibility," said Chris Raymond, chief executive officer of Boeing Global Services.
The Procedures Trainer is the first application in Boeing’s Virtual Airplane product suite. It enables flight training teams to conduct realistic flight-deck practice through high-fidelity, three-dimensional simulations on lightweight devices. Boeing says these simulations help standardize training, reduce simulator familiarization time, and improve pilot readiness before working with full-flight training devices.
Custom options
Training operators can use an intuitive, self-service authoring tool to create and manage content. The tool allows instructors to author, customize, and distribute training lessons instantly across programs, ensuring that all pilots train with up-to-date, validated procedures.
Virtual Airplane is enabled for computers and iPad devices for the Boeing 737 MAX, with additional aircraft models to follow. The software supports both online and offline use, allowing pilots to train anytime, anywhere. Lessons automatically update and sync progress when reconnected to the internet.
The system is designed to keep students engaged through integrated systems, navigation data, and realistic lesson flow. Whether completing a fully interactive flight or a targeted Control Display Unit (CDU) lesson, pilots can focus on practical skills in short, effective sessions.
Instructors and instructional systems designers can create, approve, and distribute validated lessons instantly using centralized version control and basic analytics to track usage and completion. Microsoft’s integration ensures enterprise-level scalability, regulatory compliance, and secure deployment across large organizations.
The first Virtual Airplane module, the Procedures Trainer (VAPT), is scheduled for release in 2026. It delivers Boeing-validated procedure lessons through online streaming or native offline apps, along with an instructor authoring workspace for creating and managing consistent training content.
The platform runs on iPad (native app), Windows, and Mac clients, and supports online streaming for web-based access.
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