Press Releases

The DiSTI Corporation, the world’s leading graphical user interface software provider, is pleased to announce that Hill Helicopters, a British company, has adopted GL Studio, as the company’s HMI Software development tool, in the production of their avionics suite for luxury private helicopter models HX50 and HC50.

“GL Studio is the perfect tool for delivering the high-performance graphics and user experience that our customers demand,” stated John Hayward, CEO of DiSTI. “We are proud to have our software be part of Hill Helicopter’s journey as they continue to push the boundaries of innovation in the aviation industry.”

GL Studio provides an advanced toolset that has equipped Hill Helicopters to build an elegant user experience for the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) helicopter. The software is being leveraged to develop a certifiable software stack which is tested using piloted trials on an engineering simulator. The solution has enabled Hill Helicopters to link third-party systems such as the radio, intercom, GPS, and transponder with the User Interface application.

“Unlike any other aircraft user interface, which brings with it the complexities of instrument flying, the HX50 and HC50 pilot cockpit experience is directly tailored for visual flight conditions. The digital cockpit is designed for intuitive simplicity of use, merging the clarity of automotive displays with an adaptation of the traditional primary flight display will maximize the pilot “eyes out” of the window time and will require minimal training to use,” explained Jason Hill, Founder, and CEO at Hill Helicopters. “GL Studio continues to enable us to quickly prototype and simulate the user experience and adjust the design using in-simulation flight scenarios all in-house. We are looking forward to taking the prototype software forward into flight test and certification using the “SC” version of GL Studio in the very near future.”

The identical cockpits of the HX50 and HC50 include three touchscreen displays: two larger panels for primary flight and engine instrumentation and a smaller display called the Integrated Pilot Interface (IPI) in the center console. The IPI and attached rotary puck gives the pilot quick access and tactile control over settings such as radio frequencies, barometric pressure setting, transponder, autopilot, infotainment, and climate control. The ground-up design and development of the system in GL Studio has enabled the Hill Helicopters team to build an avionics suite with unprecedented ease of use and situational awareness for the pilot. By introducing a user experience similar to what many have become accustomed to in mobile devices and automobiles, the Hill engineering team aims to make flying easier and safer.

Additionally, the ability to iterate designs quickly in GL Studio has made it possible for Hill Helicopter’s engineers to take ideas from concept to reality on a running test-bench in as little as a few hours.

To learn more about DiSTI’s GL Studio HMI software development tool and avionics solutions provided by The DiSTI Corporation, contact us at sales@disti.com

The DiSTI Corporation, virtual training development solutions provider, announced the availability of VE Studio 2023.1, the company’s industry-leading solution for virtual maintenance training development. VE Studio 2023.1 features extended Virtual Reality (VR) capabilities, improved VR runtime performance, and updated developer tools.

The focus of this release has been on improving virtual reality development capabilities. With this latest update, developers can now author once and deploy to multiple runtime targets, meaning that lessons created for a desktop trainer can also run in VR without any changes. VE Studio makes it easier to create engaging learning experiences for students of all levels and maximize the potential of your virtual training project.

Overall, this release enhances the developer and trainee experience for all VE Studio-supported build targets, including:

• Windows Desktop
• Tethered VR
• Mobile VR

“VE Studio helps developers build robust applications in record time, enabling technologists to accelerate the delivery of innovative projects to power the future of training,” stated DiSTI President Joe Swinski. “The team behind VE Studio listens to the needs of our customers and is committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible to meet those emerging requirements.”

VE Studio 2023.1 now offers:

• VR Hand Tools
• VR Freeze Conditions
• VR Magnifying Glass
• C# Test Driver
• VR Dominant Hand Selection
• Developer Fixes from internal projects
• VR Lesson Step List
• Unity 2022.1 support
• VR Button Bar
• Meta Quest 2, Meta Pro, and similar headsets support
• VR Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricant
• Bug Fixes

The DiSTI VE Studio engineering team has brought VE Studio 2023.1 to market shortly after its most recent update. The endeavor continues DiSTI’s commitment to providing the most developer-friendly virtual training development platform.

Existing VE Studio customers who would like to inquire about updating their current version of VE Studio should contact support@disti.com. For individuals seeking to learn more about VE Studio and the solutions provided by DiSTI, please reach out to sales@disti.com

The DiSTI Corporation, the global leader in virtual maintenance training, has been awarded a contract supporting the upgrade to the United States Navy F-18 Simulated Aircraft Maintenance Trainer (SAMT) program by J.F. Taylor.

The improvements to the trainer will consist of upgrading the SAMT to include obsolete computer system hardware and the computer operating system (OS) in four identical SAMTs at NAS Oceana, Virginia.

“Modifying the SAMT to meet current Fleet configuration will greatly improve warfighter readiness,” said Tom Neary, DiSTI’s Director of Programs. “This program provides sailors with a realistic, full-spectrum maintenance trainer for electrical/flight control, avionics, armament, and fuel-related task areas.”

The SAMT device 11H171 is used to provide the capability to simulate through visual representation all external cockpit system functionality related to maintenance, operation, servicing, troubleshooting, and repair of the FA-18C aircraft configuration and associated engineering changes. This program includes the means for demonstration and instruction through either instructor-led or trainee self-paced interaction with simulation software and cockpit hardware.

“J.F. Taylor is excited to have DiSTI as part of the SAMT Obsolescence and Operating System upgrade program,” stated J.F. Taylor program manager Dave Hesse. “Their experience and knowledge with the SAMT systems and virtual trainers, in general, is second to none. J.F. Taylor is glad to have DiSTI as our partner in this important Fleet program.”

For individuals seeking to learn more about Virtual Maintenance Training and the solutions provided by DiSTI, please reach out to sales@disti.com

The DiSTI Corporation, a leading provider of HMI software and virtual training development solutions, announced the availability of VE Studio 2022.3, the company’s industry-leading solution for virtual maintenance training development. VE 2022.3 features improved Virtual Reality (VR) stability, an enhanced VR User Experience (UX), and compatibility with Unity 2021 LTS.

With improvements to the user experience throughout both wired VR and wireless VR build targets, DiSTI leverages the latest technology to empower user productivity for virtual training solution development. With DiSTI’s use of Unity’s OpenXR library for handling headset and controller mappings, developers can seamlessly target a wide range of AR/VR devices. This feature makes switching headset hardware easier, and switching between wired and wireless VR is a smoother experience.

“The team behind VE Studio 2022.3 keeps the customer’s needs in focus. Engineers developed these new features with the best user experience possible in mind,“ said Doug Classe, Program Manager for VE Studio. “Developers can further harness more power of Unity’s game engine capability, leading to greater potential for student learning outcomes.”

This latest update to VE Studio allows developers to use newer features of Unity, allowing for additional and more recent Unity assets in projects. VE Studio 2022.3 is now using a Physically-Based Rendering (PBR) PBR-compliant material library to upgrade the realism of 3D models.VE Studio 2022.3 now offers:

• Updated Unity to Unity 2021 LTS
• Replacement of deprecated UNet library with Mirror
• Several VR UX Improvements
• Updates to the VE Studio project and VE Studio lesson samples
• Oculus VR headset testing
• Refined lighting optimizations
• Addition of PBR Materials library

Over 90 days, the DiSTI VE Studio engineering team has brought VE Studio 2022.3 to market, including a new 2D menu system for VR builds. The endeavor continues this software company’s commitment to providing a superior software development platform.

Existing VE Studio customers who would like to inquire about updating their current version of VE Studio should contact support@disti.com. For individuals seeking to learn more about VE Studio and the solutions provided by DiSTI, please reach out to sales@disti.com

Virtual reality training in the realm of automotive is producing real value for manufacturers across the globe. The DiSTI Corporation provides 3D virtual training solutions and develops Virtual Maintenance Training (VMT) for Volvo Cars.

The array of service options now available for combustion and electric vehicles is staggering. Many manufacturers are facing the challenge of keeping their technicians proficient in the latest automotive technology.

Without the need for a physical model, virtual reality is an ongoing training tool that provides opportunities to learn new skills and improve the maintenance and diagnostic process. DiSTI’s VE Studio, a virtual training development platform, builds immersive virtual training programs designed to educate and assess technicians on:

• Vehicle troubleshooting
• EVT (Electric Vehicle Technician) and A-EVT (Advanced-Electric Vehicle Technician) Disassemble & Assembly the high voltage battery
• De-energizing & Energizing the high-voltage battery
• Battery inspection
• IVI Connectivity setup & troubleshooting

The DiSTI Corporation’s VE Studio® enables complex and immersive training applications. The software features allow to rapidly prototype and scale training across an enterprise quickly and cost-effectively.

DiSTI’s 25-year legacy of training solutions now also leverages a complete virtual classroom management system allowing instructors to train students in remote environments. Using DiSTI’s Schoolhouse, a managed virtual training solution, technicians, dealer technicians, and other partners anywhere in the world will now be able to benefit from this cutting-edge training methodology and receive certifications.
Previous studies have shown that training through DiSTI Schoolhouse™ reduced a traditional 3-day instructor-led technical certification course to 9 hours, improving student engagement and knowledge retention rates.

“DiSTI has a proven legacy developing virtual training solutions, especially in the aerospace market. Automotive vehicles have undoubtedly become just as sophisticated as some of the airplanes we’ve built virtual training solutions for,” stated DiSTI CEO John Hayward. “DiSTI is committed to honoring Volvo Cars’ legacy by delivering a premium training experience through intuitive technology for a safer and better experience.”

To learn more about The DiSTI Corporation’s virtual training development and solutions, please get in touch with sales@disti.com

The DiSTI Corporation has just formed a strategic alliance with commercial pilot training pioneers Visionary Training Resources to deliver integrated, end-to-end virtual reality pilot training solutions to their joint enterprise and government customers. The DiSTI Corporation is globally recognized as a world leader in virtual training development solutions, with more than 1000 projects successfully delivered worldwide.

The alliance combines DiSTI’s award-winning virtual training development solutions and Visionary Training Resources’ platform capabilities. Working in conjunction, these two companies will deliver technologically advanced solutions designed to help customers simplify complex pilot training procedures. While increasing student throughput and learning outcomes.

The solution will improve student throughput and learning outcomes while reducing training costs. This approach allows customers to realize the full value of their pilot training initiatives.

“DiSTI’s collaboration on FlightDeckToGo has allowed VTR to develop a best-in-class product,” said VTR COO Jeff Pierce. “Today’s agreement strengthens our commitment to making virtual reality an essential piece of commercial pilot training.”

This strategic alliance agreement follows several successful endeavors between DiSTI and VTR for the innovative FlightDeckToGo solution that allows pilots to train using virtual reality technology from anywhere. The VR-focused solution creates a detailed digital twin of each aircraft’s flight deck. This method enables pilots to interact with switches, dials, and levers to build muscle memory before entering more costly simulator training. Additionally, the solution is entirely portable, deploying on mobile VR headsets like the Pico NEO Pro Eye.

In addition to tracking all virtual interactions, this solution utilizes the eye-tracking technology provided by the VR headset to track visual inspection tasks performed by the student automatically. Students can integrate into any learning management system (LMS) via DiSTI’s Schoolhouse software and train from anywhere. Collection of their recorded results and tracked achievements are saved for future review at their respective training entities.

“Effective digital training demands highly coordinated, strategic, and experienced solutions to realize success,” stated John Hayward, CEO of DiSTI. “Together, DiSTI and VTR will assist clients in achieving their goals of virtual pilot training while building transformational solutions that utilize the most advanced technology possible.”

DiSTI and VTR alliance aim to reduce airlines’ unpredictable availability and costs surrounding training by providing highly standardized pilot training and better preparing pilots for simulator training.

To learn more about The DiSTI Corporation’s virtual training development and solutions, please get in touch with sales@disti.com