TRU Simulation to show Cessna 172 VR training device at NBAA-BACE

TRU Simulation + Training, part of Textron, plans live demonstrations of its Veris virtual reality flight training device in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk configuration at October's NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas. The show will be the device's first appearance at a trade event, and attendees will be able to try it.

Veris is built for simulation of both rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft, including the Skyhawk, a widely used trainer. The system uses an image generation platform based on Unreal Engine, the software behind games such as Fortnite, to create virtual environments for pilots. Custom airports and visual scenarios can be loaded, and users operate switches and avionics as they would in an actual aircraft.

TRU introduced Veris in 2024. In September 2025 the device received FAA qualification as a level 7 flight training device for helicopters. The company said Monday that the Skyhawk-configured version has not yet been qualified by the FAA. It is intended to satisfy EASA level 3 flight training device criteria as well.

After qualification, the Skyhawk Veris will go to launch customer US Aviation Academy, which ordered five units and took options on 10 more at last year's NBAA-BACE. The order marks the device's entry into the fixed-wing training market. US Aviation Academy provides professional pilot, maintenance, dispatcher and remote pilot training with a fleet of more than 200 aircraft, working with partners that include major airlines and the U.S. Air Force. The school will install the device at its Denton, Texas, facility.