At entrol, we see the key not as choosing one over the other, but as understanding which technology best supports each specific training objective—and applying it where it truly adds value within the training process.

VR & MR: How to Choose the Right Technology in Professional Simulation

To deliver effective training, it’s essential to understand how each visual solution contributes to the overall training program. High-fidelity visual systems such as LED environments provide a strong foundation for immersive training, while technologies like VR and MR offer additional capabilities tailored to specific training needs. Rather than comparing them, the key is to apply each solution where it brings the most value to the pilot at a given moment:

• ENWALL (LED Visual System): this system is based on state-of-the-art LED technology, providing a highly immersive and high-fidelity visual environment. It integrates both wall and floor visuals, enhancing vertical visibility and improving situational awareness. The use of LED technology ensures excellent color contrast and visual clarity, while eliminating the need for warping and blending, resulting in a seamless and distortion-free experience. This makes it especially relevant for advanced training environments where visual fidelity and realism are critical.
• Virtual Reality (VR): this technology provides a fully synthetic digital environment. It is an effective tool for spatial orientation and mission-based training, allowing pilots to work through operational scenarios where situational awareness is key. As a portable and flexible solution, it is well suited for mission preparation and tactical familiarization, offering a high level of visual immersion across different stages of training.
• Mixed Reality (MR): a visual solution that allows the pilot to interact with a physical cockpit while the external environment is digitally rendered. At entrol, we see MR as a strong fit for specific mission profiles such as search and rescue or tactical operations. It enables the use of real systems and controls during these missions, reinforcing procedural accuracy and realism. It is designed for environments where coordination under pressure and precise physical interaction are critical.

The importance of sensory integration in a pilot training

While Virtual Reality is a solid tool for working on the “what” and “where” of the cockpit—focused on procedures and familiarization—the transition to advanced mission training often requires broader sensory input. In immersive pilot training, the focus shifts from cognitive understanding to haptic adaptation.

In a realistic flight simulator, providing the brain with the same physical cues it will encounter in the actual aircraft—such as the mechanical resistance of a switch or the specific friction of a collective—helps anchor the visual experience. This integration of tactile feedback enhances realism and supports a more effective transfer of skills to real-world operations, particularly in high-demand scenarios.

The role of tactile feedback in training

At entrol, mission design is based on the principle of sensory synergy. In professional simulation, spatial accuracy is the baseline: every control is mapped 1:1, ensuring that the pilot’s spatial awareness remains consistent whether operating in a digital environment or a physical cockpit.

Integrating Mixed Reality (MR) builds on this foundation by enabling physical interaction with real controls while maintaining a fully immersive virtual environment. This creates a training setup where tactile feedback and visual immersion work together in a coherent and natural way.

This combination enhances realism and supports the effective transfer of skills from simulation to real-world operations.

The “Muscle Memory” factor – the physical cockpit

In our MR simulators, the cockpit is real. When you reach for the collective, you feel friction. When you flip a switch, you hear the mechanical click. This physical feedback is what anchors the training. MR-based training ensures that the muscle memory developed in the simulator transfers effectively to the real cockpit.

Spatial awareness & depth perception

Advanced mission tasks such as hovering or precision landings rely heavily on accurate depth perception. Stereoscopic visual systems—used in both VR and MR—can provide 3D depth cues that, in some cases, offer advantages over traditional 2D displays.

The value of Mixed Reality at entrol lies in the ability to introduce real physical references. In an MR environment, the pilot can see the actual aircraft structure and cockpit alongside the digital environment. In missions like helicopter hoist simulation, these reference points help maintain situational awareness and support more consistent distance judgment.

The multi-crew ecosystem: simulating the full mission

The strength of entrol’s technology lies in its ability to synchronize different roles.

• In the cockpit: the pilot uses a physical FTD to maintain flight stability.
• In the cabin: the hoist operator uses MR goggles to lean out of the “virtual door,” seeing the terrain and the cable while interacting with a physical control. This creates a shared mission environment where coordination and visual references closely mirror real operational conditions.

Helicopter hoist simulation in MR

To understand the approach to mission readiness, it’s important to distinguish between the objectives of each role. While Mixed Reality (MR) is used in pilot training to provide in-flight references, the hoist station addresses a different need.

The hoist station is a dedicated environment designed to develop communication and standard procedures between the cockpit and the cabin. Its purpose is to strengthen verbal coordination and information exchange—both critical in search and rescue operations. By focusing on these skills, the goal is to ensure that the crew operates as a coordinated unit, where clarity and precision in communication are essential.

This level of realism is what defines a modern Flight Training Device (FTD). It’s not just about representing a mission—it’s about recreating the conditions in which it is carried out.

The aviation industry is evolving rapidly, but safety standards must remain constant. Mixed Reality allows tactile elements to be integrated into training, combining them with immersive visual environments when the training objective calls for it.

At entrol, we believe that mission readiness requires going beyond standard maneuvers. Our simulators are designed to optimize Law Enforcement aviation by reducing cognitive load and perfecting the coordination between the Pilot and the Tactical Flight Officer (TFO).

The complexity of law enforcement missions: a high-stakes environment

Unlike commercial aviation, police missions are defined by constant re-planning and split-second reactions. A routine patrol can escalate into a high-speed pursuit or a complex Search and Rescue (SAR) operation in an instant.

The complexity of these missions stems from three critical factors:

• Multi-system management: the crew must simultaneously manage the aircraft and high-tech mission equipment like FLIR, searchlights, and tactical moving maps.
• Coordinating multiple participants: success depends on the seamless synchronization between the Pilot, the TFO, ground units, and command centers.
• Cognitive load: flying the helicopter is only 50% of the task; the rest is processing mission-critical data in a “live” and evolving environment.

The entrol mission simulator: a total solution

The answer to this complexity isn’t just more flight hours—which are costly and risky—but the use of advanced mission-integrated simulation.

• Total environmental control: instructors can inject sudden system failures, change weather conditions, or introduce conflicting air traffic.
• Specialized TFO training: our simulators allow the Tactical Flight Officer and the Pilot to train together in the same virtual ecosystem, significantly improving Crew Resource Management (CRM).
• Smart entity interaction: high-fidelity simulation of suspect vehicles, foot pursuits, and coordination with ground-based units.
• Real-world databases: crews can train over a “digital twin” of their own city or jurisdiction, repeating maneuvers in the exact high-risk areas they patrol daily.
  
  
  

Strategic vision: beyond the regulations

Ultimately, meeting aviation regulations is about ensuring a pilot can operate the aircraft safely. However, at entrol, we believe that true mission readiness requires more than just technical flight skills.

To wrap up the importance of this specialized training, Iñigo Hernández, Business Development Manager at entrol, concludes that investing in high-fidelity simulation is more than just an operational cost-saving measure; it is a direct investment in crew safety and public security success. 

By prioritizing this strategic vision, agencies move beyond the baseline of compliance, ensuring their teams are equipped with the tactical coordination and mental resilience required to complete objectives in high-stress environments.

• To maximize tactical realism, entrol has incorporated original components into the simulator, ranging from the cockpit seat and flight and engine controls to genuine Garmin hardware for training.
  
  

• entrol’s high-fidelity flight models are complemented by advanced technology, including a triple-laser projection visual system, a thermal camera, and a Head-Up Display (HUD).

• The unique addition of a second station facilitates practising two-ship missions common in aerial firefighting.

Madrid, March 18th, 2026

entrol, the manufacturer of EASA and FAA certified FNPT, FTD, and FFS flight simulators, is pleased to announce the successful installation of a state-of-the-art Air Tractor AT-802 simulator for Aquarius Aerial Firefighting (Aquarius AFF) in Luxembourg. This device was specifically configured for the “Sea” (Fire Boss) version and a cornerstone of the pilots training program.

The project stands out for its focus on operational realism. To ensure a seamless training experience, entrol has integrated original components of the aircraft type, including the real Garmin G600 TXi avionics and the pilot seat. This combination of real hardware and proprietary software eliminates tactile differences in the cockpit, allowing pilots to develop precise muscle memory for critical missions.

Operational fidelity and genuine hardware

To bridge the gap between simulation and real life situations, entrol has gone beyond standard replicas. This unit integrates original Garmin G600 TXi glass cockpit hardware, to ensure that pilots interact with the exact interface used in real missions. Complementing the avionics, the simulator includes a real aircraft seat, providing the specific ergonomics and tactile feedback required for endurance firefighting missions.

Tactical excellence: seeing through the smoke

(EVS & HUD)

Aerial firefighting is a high-stakes environment where situational awareness is easily compromised by dense smoke and terrain. Entrol has therefore the simulator with a unique technological suite designed for “eyes-out” operations:

• Enhanced Vision System (EVS) & HUD: The integration of an Aerodisplay HUD with a long-wave infrared (LWIR) thermal camera allows pilots to “see” through thick smoke. The system projects critical flight symbology—including airspeed (left), altitude (right), and heading (top)—directly onto the pilot’s line of sight.

• Thermal Imaging Feed: Combined with the flight data, a high-contrast monochrome thermal feed is displayed, allowing the identification of hotspots, terrain relief, and fire line when visual references are completely obscured by smoke. This ensures accuracy during water drops and enhances crew safety in hostile environments.

“This simulator is a leap forward in tactical training for Europe,” explains Juanjo Lechosa, Business Development Manager at entrol. “We have developed a specific vibration system that replicates the structural loads during water scooping and the sudden change in Center of Gravity (CG) during a drop. This allows Aquarius AFF pilots to master the most dangerous phases of the mission in a controlled, high-fidelity environment.”

The simulator includes a geo-specific database with high-resolution imagery of critical operational areas, such as the Welzow Aerodrome (EDCY) in Germany. Furthermore, the Advanced Debriefing Station allows instructors to review mission parameters in 3D, analyzing drop accuracy and flight path efficiency to optimize tactical performance.

The simulator includes a geo-specific database with high-resolution imagery of critical operational areas, such as the Welzow Aerodrome (EDCY) in Germany. Furthermore, the Advanced Debriefing Station allows instructors to review mission parameters in 3D, analyzing drop accuracy and flight path efficiency to optimize tactical performance.

This integration is much more than a hardware upgrade. As Claudia Calleja, Business Development Manager at entrol, explains: “By perfecting our CLS now, we have already solved one of the most difficult parts of the puzzle: the physical connection between the pilot and the simulator.”

The brain and the muscle:

a strategic synergy

A common misconception is that the hardware dictates the forces. At entrol, we maintain total sovereignty over the simulation’s “intelligence.” Our software is the brain; the hardware is the muscle.

Sandra Hernández, Senior Expert Engineer at entrol, clarifies this synergy: “The flight, control, and force calculation models have always resided in our own software. The major leap with E2M is how it allows us to exploit the advantages of our models without limitations. It offers a vast range of possibilities to replicate our calculations with much higher realism and a significantly better ‘feeling’.”

The “Loop”: continuous,

bi-directional communication

The core of this new CLS is the high Sampling Rate and the bi-directional communication between entrol´s software and the E2M controller. In training, a split-second delay between “feeling” a change in the controls and seeing the horizon move causes motion sickness and negative training.

By optimizing the data link between the controls and the visuals, we have ensured an almost instantaneous response. This high-frequency “loop” ensures that our flight model—designed to replicate real aircraft data—communicates with the hardware without any perceived lag.

“The key is to identify every variable that affects the flight controls—mechanic or aerodynamic forces, autopilot, etc.—and translate this into an input that the hardware can execute immediately,” says Claudia Calleja. This precision allows pilots to perceive nuances that are critical for mission-ready training:

• Subtle pressures: As the pilot accelerates, the controls naturally get “stiffer,” mimicking the air pressure on the blades.
• Dynamic feedback: Instead of a fixed tension, the pilot experiences evolving trim, centering forces, and friction levels that change in real-time based on flight conditions.
• Authentic vibrations: The pilot will feel specific tactile signals when entering a hover or passing through Effective Translational Lift (ETL). These aren’t just shakes; they are precise cues telling the pilot exactly how the aircraft is performing.

Advanced aerodynamics and custom variables

Unlike standard systems, we do not send raw data like airspeed (IAS) to the CLS for external interpretation. entrol’s software performs all the heavy lifting internally.

“Our software is aware of every independent variable in the control model at all times,” says Sandra Hernández. “It tracks the control surface position and aerodynamic thrust, translating these into specific parameters—friction, stiffness, or damping—that the E2M hardware then replicates with great precision.”

Operational value: building reliable reflexes

This technical precision translates directly into safer training. When the hardware no longer limits the software, the pilot builds authentic muscle memory.

“By the time a pilot gets into the real cockpit, their hands and feet already know the exact weight and timing required for a maneuver,” highlights Claudia. “They are no longer ‘learning a simulator’; they are building the reflexes they will need to stay safe.”

Roadmap 2026: the foundation of the Full Flight Simulator (FFS)

The decision to partner with E2M is a cornerstone of our Roadmap 2026. Their hardware is designed specifically to replicate aircraft-grade parameters—such as cable stiffness, autopilot forces, and centering slopes.

“By perfecting our CLS now, we have already established the physical connection between the pilot and the simulator,” Claudia explains. “It gives us a proven realism that makes our step into the highest level of global simulation a natural and confident one.”

When an operator invests in entrol today, they are not just buying a simulator; they are acquiring a technology that is already prepared for the highest levels of global certification.

• Northern Rescue Helicopter becomes the launch customer for this new platform, featuring the cutting-edge “enwall LED” visual system.

• This project marks the arrival of the first entrol AW169 simulator in New Zealand, specifically optimized for mission-critical SAR operations.

Madrid, March 10th, 2026

Entrol, the manufacturer of EASA and FAA certified FNPT, FTD, and FFS flight simulators, is proud to announce a significant expansion in the Oceanian market. Northern Rescue Helicopter has signed an agreement for two AW169 FNPT II MCC simulators, a move that reinforces the operator’s commitment to the highest standards of Search and Rescue (SAR) and HEMS training.

This project marks a defining milestone for entrol: the global launch of our AW169 flight simulation platform. As the first sale of this newly developed model, it introduces a high-fidelity solution designed to mirror the AW169’s advanced multi-role capabilities. The simulator features a fully tactile cockpit with a comprehensive suite of integrated avionics, including a 4-axis digital AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System), dual FMS, and a bespoke flight model developed to replicate the aircraft’s specific performance envelopes. Following the successful Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of the first unit in late February, its installation will be followed by a second unit, already under production, to support the operator’s mission-critical training.

Superior fidelity for search and rescue

To ensure the highest safety standards in New Zealand’s challenging terrain, both simulators are equipped with the enwall LED visual system. This technology is a game-changer for tactical training, offering the brightness and contrast levels required for Night Vision Goggle (NVG) operations and search maneuvers in low-visibility conditions.

“For entrol, having Northern Rescue Helicopter commit to a second unit before even flying the first one is the ultimate validation of our technology,” says Claudia Calleja, Business Manager at entrol. “This project is about more than just equipment; it’s about providing theNorth Island with a ‘mission-ready’ environment where crews can master the AW169’s capabilities with total precision.”

Tailored for the New Zealand landscape

Both simulators feature a geo-specific database of New Zealand, including strategic hubs like NZAR and NZWR, along with tactical helipads. This allows crews to build muscle memory in the exact environments they navigate during real-life rescues. The integration of a vibration system and iPad connectivity further ensures that the transition from simulation to the actual aircraft is seamless.

While the first unit is being prepared for shipment, the second is already in production in Madrid, ensuring that Northern Rescue Helicopter will soon have a world-class training center at the heart of New Zealand.

About Northern Rescue Helicopter

Northern Rescue Helicopter is a premier emergency services operator based in New Zealand, specializing in Search and Rescue (SAR) and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). Serving the North Island, their state-of-the-art fleet and highly skilled crews provide critical life-saving support to the community. Their unwavering commitment to safety and operational excellence is demonstrated through continuous investment in cutting-edge technology and advanced training, ensuring the highest level of mission readiness in New Zealand’s most challenging environments.

• One of the few simulators on the market to integrate original Dual Garmin GTN 750 & 650 Xi hardware for a seamless transition to the real aircraft.

• Equipped with a Hoist operator station and a high-resolution database for tactical fire-fighting mission training.

Madrid, March 3rd, 2026

Entrol, the manufacturer of EASA and FAA certified FNPT, FTD, and FFS flight simulators, announces a new milestone in its European expansion: the official FTD Level 3 certification of its Bell 412 simulator, operated by Global Helicopter Service (GHS) in Germany. The device has successfully completed the rigorous auditing process of the German authorities, establishing itself as a critical tool for high-complexity mission training.

The simulator, based on the Bell 412 helicopter, stands out for its state-of-the-art cockpit configuration. Unlike pure software-based solutions, this unit integrates original Dual GTN 750 & 650 Xi devices, eliminating any learning gap and allowing pilots to operate with the exact same systems found in their real-world missions.

A simulator designed for “Mission Coordination”

The configuration delivered to GHS goes beyond standard flight training. By incorporating a Mixed Reality (MR) Hoist operator station and an external mirror system, the simulator enables training for rescue operations—a vital capability for safety in critical missions.

For fire-fighting training, entrol has developed a geo-specific visual database of Germany featuring high-resolution satellite imagery. This allows crews to practice approaches and water drops in real environments, recognizing terrain and obstacles with unprecedented precision.

“The certification of this FTD Level 3 by the LBA is a testament to the technical quality we provide to our partners in Germany,” states Íñigo Hernández, Business Development Manager at entrol. “Working with a prestigious operator like GHS has allowed us to demonstrate that our technology is the perfect bridge between theory and operational excellence. With this simulator, we are not just training to meet regulations; we are training to ensure that every pilot and hoist operator returns home safely after complex IFR, PBN, or fire-fighting missions.”

Technical Excellence and Visual Realism

The device features a 200° x 70° spherical visual system, ensuring total immersion during all flight phases. Additional specifications include:

• Advanced training capabilities: Simulator ready for every high level operation.
• Flight dynamics: integrated vibration system to replicate the tactile sensations of the Bell 412.
• Data analysis: advanced Debriefing Station for in-depth post-mission reviews, optimizing the qualitative learning of the pilot.

With this project, entrol reaffirms its commitment to the German market and its ability to deliver customized solutions that meet the real-world needs of special mission operators worldwide.