Not a game - A realistic vertical reference longline training aid
The ship, the line, and the load share a custom physics model: real tension, aerodynamic drag, and wind as true airspeed, so you feel authentic pendulum swing, load oscillation, and the parallax motion that makes vertical reference work. At its center is a unique cyclic guide, designed to compensate for the sensory cues a simulator cannot fully recreate — seat-of-the-pants feel, vestibular motion, and peripheral depth — so stick inputs stay precise when the visual picture alone is not enough. Layer on wind and load-cell cues, instruments, verbal coaching and structured lessons — in a world made for precise hover and load control.
Read our article: What makes VRLL different
Real physics
Genuine pendulum dynamics: rope tension, load inertia, aerodynamic drag, and rotor downwash — no scripted shortcuts. A light hook dances; a heavy net hangs.
Fly the hook
Flight director "green dot," swing indicator, and vertical-reference camera views help you place the load on the target and hold a steady hover.
Precision Focus
Not just learning to take a load from point A to point B. VRLL focuses on precision longline with lessons setup to improve your longline control skills down to inches. Hone your skills for the most demanding jobs.
Your hardware
Fully playable with only mouse and keyboard, with optional flight stick support. Tunable stability augmentation and training assists.
Built by a VRLL pilot for helicopter pilots (and experienced heli-simmers)
VRLL is supplemental rehearsal for pilots training toward — or already working in — vertical-reference external-load operations, and for anyone who wants to understand what longline flying really demands. Built for helicopter pilots by an experienced VRLL pilot. Also can be used by heli-simmers who want the ultimate in realism.
- Utility & longline pilots rehearsing hover coordination and load placement between real flights.
- Pilots in training building the vertical-reference sight picture and muscle memory.
- Experienced simulator pilots ready to move beyond basic helicopter control and practice advanced real-world piloting concepts including vertical-reference technique, hover precision, swing management, and load placement.
- Load & weight feel — swap between different load weights and line lengths of 50, 100, and 150 feet.
- Hyper-realistic physics — an ultra-realistic pendulum physics model that acts and reacts to helicopter movements, unmatched by any other flight simulator.
- Practical test practice — rehearse longline and short-haul practical tests aligned with interagency government standards.
- Selectable stability aids — hover hold, hover SAS, altitude hold, and auto-hover to build up gradually.
- Guided Practice & Free Play modes so you can drill a task or just fly.
- Innovate Cyclic Guide — a game changer. Compensates for the loss of sensory perceptions in sims by providing small corrective cues.
Currently in beta testing
BetaVRLL is under active development. The core flight model, load physics, and training environment are flying — now we're refining realism and gathering pilot feedback. Expect frequent updates.
Core simulator
Longline pendulum physics, MD 500–style flight model, vertical-reference camera views, flight director, and the 9 sq mi rural training area with mountains, lakes, roads, and farms.
Beta testing & realism tuning
Refining stability augmentation, control feel, and load behavior based on pilot feedback. Report anything that doesn't fly right.
On the roadmap
Wind and gusts, Bambi bucket water operations on the lakes, and additional loads and scenarios.
Support VRLL
Every contribution goes toward development — new features, more realistic physics, additional scenarios, and ongoing improvements to the simulator. If you find the software useful, a contribution would be appreciated.
Donate with PayPal