Envoy Air Integrates Virtual Reality into Pilot and Maintenance Training Programmes
Envoy Air, a regional airline based in Texas, is introducing virtual reality (VR) into its training regime, marking a significant step forward in aviation instruction. The carrier has become the first Part 121 airline in the United States to receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the integration of VR technology into its training curriculum.
The initiative, which is being implemented at the airline’s headquarters just outside of Dallas, is designed to enhance traditional pilot training methods. Trainees will soon begin using VR headsets and joysticks to simulate various elements of their roles without needing direct access to an actual aircraft. This digital training approach will be used in conjunction with existing tools such as full-motion flight simulators.
Envoy’s flight training division, led by Captain Allen Hill, has reported positive early feedback from pilots who have trialled the system. According to internal assessments, both novice and experienced aviators adapted to the VR setup quickly, with many achieving proficiency in a shorter timeframe than with conventional methods alone.
To bring the project to fruition, Envoy collaborated with Cole Engineering Services, a firm based in Orlando, Florida. After several years of evaluating potential VR vendors, the airline selected Cole to co-develop a bespoke mixed-reality training module tailored specifically to Envoy’s operational requirements. A series of test classes were then conducted to observe how effectively trainees engaged with the programme.
The training system replicates the “walkaround” preflight inspection process, where pilots are typically required to conduct a visual examination of an aircraft before departure. Within the virtual environment, pilots can identify simulated faults or issues and practise the correct procedures for responding to them. In addition, the software allows users to run through flight deck protocols and checklists as if they were preparing for an actual journey.
Instructors are currently undergoing training to familiarise themselves with the VR system and learn how to effectively deliver instruction using the new platform. Once this preparatory phase is complete, groups of up to 24 pilot trainees will begin using the technology in structured sessions.
Beyond flight crew, Envoy also plans to use VR to train maintenance personnel. One of the modules developed for technical staff allows users to virtually practise tasks such as replacing an aircraft tyre. This cross-functional application demonstrates the wider potential of VR in aviation operations beyond pilot training alone.
While the immersive training hardware—headsets and joysticks—will remain on-site at the airline’s training facility, a 2-D version of the software will be accessible remotely via personal devices. This mobile access will enable trainees to reinforce their learning and practise procedures from any location, at a time of their choosing.
Envoy Air is remaining open to further developments in VR and has suggested that future applications could be explored across other areas of the company’s training and operational needs. The airline views the technology as offering vast potential and is considering how it might continue to integrate immersive tools to complement traditional instruction methods.
The move comes amid broader adoption of virtual reality across the aviation industry. In 2024, the FAA certified a VR flight simulator developed by Loft Dynamics, which is being used to train helicopter pilots and count toward official pilot ratings. In addition, Alaska Airlines is now implementing the technology for its Boeing 737 fleet, further signalling the growing role of virtual reality in aviation training and certification.
With Envoy Air at the forefront of VR training among regional carriers, the use of immersive digital environments is poised to become an increasingly standard component of pilot and technician education across the sector.
