3D virtual reality technology required to create a flight simulator based on real-world physics had always required expansive computer equipment. Very Big Things looked for an approach through which it could create a virtual reality simulation usable from computer, or Virtual Reality headset.

The only way to make this simulation easily accessible was to run it entirely on web browser. The program needed to be advanced to train individuals for FAA certification and employment for drone pilots.This forged a new level of accessibility. They found new ways to render 3D graphics and real-world physics in a browser without plug-ins.

Drone VR is the first web-based virtual reality flight simulator with real-world physics. It is fully immersive, yet accessible through the web browser on a desktop, as well as the web browser on a headset – giving users virtually anywhere access to this type of learning tool. Drone VR is the centerpiece of Certify-ED’s Remote Pilot Certificate course, which prepares students to take the aeronautical knowledge test that is a requirement to earn a Remote Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Immersed in the virtual reality environment, users learn to operate a drone in a variety of conditions and urban areas, completing search and rescue missions, reconnaissance and inspections of large structures. The idea is to pave the way for online learners to obtain the training needed for new the careers in this industry. Biggest challenge: create a fun experience yet educational, technologically advanced, and accessible.

Drone VR is the first web-based virtual reality flight simulator with real-world physics. It is fully immersive, yet runs on a computer browser or the virtual reality headset – giving users almost anywhere access to this type of learning tool. Drone VR is the centerpiece of Certify-ED’s Remote Pilot Certificate course, which prepares students to take the aeronautical knowledge test that is a requirement to earn a Remote Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Immersed in the virtual reality environment, users operate a drone in a variety of conditions and urban areas, completing search and rescue missions, reconnaissance and inspections of large structures.

**Kick-off phase:**

Very Big Things created an idea of challenging for Drone VR experience and created some user scenarios for every separate level.

**3D modeling phase:**

On current stage a lot of 3D modeling were done:

- environment models;

- drone realistic model;

- gamepad model;

- challenge equipment models;

**Development phase**

Current stage were divided into 3 major milestones:

- application prototype;

- effects and shaders research;

- high-fidelity application creating.

During the prototyping phase all models were applied and basic drone control capabilities were created.

After testing everything VBT team moved to physics and shaders research.

We applied physics to the drone, to make the experience of overcoming such obstacles as a storm and wind more realistic.

Also some sea, storm and lighting shaders were researched and written in this period.

High-fidelity application milestone were spent on applying physics and shaders for existing prototype. Also during this phase a lot of QA and bug-fixing job were done.

In order to bring this real-world physics virtual reality experience to a wide array of users, Very Big Things used WebGL, a JavaScript API that renders 3D graphics within any compatible web browser without using plug-ins. The company created a real-world physics engine that includes the effects of turbulence around objects, wind shear, altitude and temperature. All of this is set within a detailed, accurate recreation of the city of San Francisco, which is rendered at a scale that is cutting-edge for a web browser. It takes the learner through multiple degrees of difficulty as the individual learns to safely and accurately pilot a drone.

VBT also created a means of connecting a remote control to the web browser via a Bluetooth connection. This remote mimics an actual drone’s remote and works within the real-world physics engine, thereby increasing the reality of the simulation.

Drone VR is currently deployed to five schools in a pilot program.

Drone VR was created for Certify-ED, an interactive, online educational company that provides videos and virtual reality simulations to vocational, charter and online schools worldwide. This application allowed Certify-ED to expand into drone training certificate programs with a unique and effective offering schools could not find anywhere else.

Certify-ED is piloting its Drone VR-based online Remote Pilot Certification Course with five schools: one fully online private school, one fully online public school, one charter school and two military schools. Together, these schools have a total of 13,000 students. For the 2021-2022 school year, Certify-ED will make the course available to all of its school clients, with the potential to reach more than 1 million students worldwide.

For the industry, this represents a breakthrough in accessibility of virtual reality flight simulators. What used to require very expensive equipment now can be accessible through the web.