Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

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Flight simulators developed by the gaming industry are set to play a role in training the large numbers of pilots needed to fly new eVTOL aircraft. What’s more, software like the latest versions of Microsoft’s Flight Simulator and Laminar Research’s X-Plane are also now being deployed by companies developing the broader advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem, including vertiports.
Florida-based Vertiport Simulations was established earlier this year to design heliports and vertiports. It soon found it could expedite changes and client approval by giving clients the opportunity to preview designs through virtual reality.
This capability prompted the company to offer imagery of eVTOL aircraft ground infrastructure to serve as scenery in the newly released 2024 edition of Flight Simulator and X-Plane 12. Its designers are adding key details, such as the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-04-19/betas-charge-cube-earns-ul-safety-certification">electric charging </a>units&nbsp;developed by eVTOL aircraft manufacturer Beta Technologies and Electro.Aero.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="Electric chargers for eVTOL aircraft" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb1c2e67-eff5-4f89-8637-da17b46aac0e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/charging%20cube%2065NJV9.PNG" width="3430" height="1318" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Electric chargers for eVTOL aircraft are among the details that&nbsp;Vertiport Simulations is adding to its flight simulator software.</figcaption>
</figure>

One of Vertiport Simulations’ first clients is Helo Holdings, Inc. (HHI), which is redeveloping its New Jersey <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2024-01-24/joby-lines-new-york-city-evtol-air-taxi-operating-base">heliport at Kearny</a>, close to Manhattan, for use by eVTOL companies, including Joby Aviation. HHI has plans to develop another vertiport at an undisclosed U.S. location. Vertiport Simulations, founded by AAM entrepreneur Joe Mattern, is also working with a heliport operator in Dubai.
<h2>Common Infrastructure Standards Needed</h2>
Mattern told AIN that regulators still have plenty of work ahead of them to finalize standards for AAM infrastructure such as vertiports. “[Regulation of] aircraft is ahead of infrastructure, and the industry needs common standards,” he commented.
Meanwhile, the professional edition of X-Plane is set to be among the options for an eVTOL industry facing the challenge of needing to recruit and train thousands of new pilots. Though originally developed for hobbyists, X-Plane 12 is already FAA-certified for some use in flight training. Mattern said he hopes this will be extended to cover eVTOL aircraft, too.
Beta Technologies confirmed that its engineers had used X-Plane to conduct some&nbsp;initial physics validations for its Alia aircraft, which was the first eVTOL aircraft to be featured on the platform. Founder and CEO Kyle Clark also used it to learn how to fly the aircraft.
The new version of Microsoft Flight Simulator already features the four-passenger eVTOL aircraft being developed by Joby and its competitor Archer Aviation. X-Plane 12 includes Beta’s Alia aircraft and Cirrus used the software to develop its SR20, SR22, and Vision Jet aircraft.

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In this article

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