A SWINDON-based CGI company has been commissioned by aircraft manufacturer Airbus to create a virtual reality experience that simulates the feeling of flying some of the world’s largest aeroplanes.

Rendermedia, based in North Swindon, are showcasing their creations at the Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire, which runs all this week until Sunday July 17.

The virtual reality programmes will be helping to sell Airbus products to prospective buyers from all around the world.

The work being done by Rendermedia brings the interactivity and realism of the multi-billion dollar video games industry into a business environment.

Mark Miles, innovation director at Rendermedia, said: “There are few more competitive business environments than the aerospace sector and the rewards for those who win the contracts are immense.

“An event like Farnborough will have a lot of businesses vying to stand out and make an impression from film and 3D graphics, but what we are demonstrating is a stage beyond that – the rich graphics and interactivity leaving the user feeling they have actually been there.

“Our virtual reality programmes allow the user to actually immerse themselves in an alternative world which then responds to their movements and instructions.

“VR allows you to place the user in the centre of an omni-directional story that allows you to experience how and where a product is used in absolute context.

“It really enables users to feel impressions that are far longer lasting than seeing a film on a TV screen.”

Participants will be strap on the VR headsets and immerse themselves in one of five virtual worlds while cameras film what they see on a special monitor.

The programmes allow users to experience the thrill of soaring 90,000 feet above the surface of the Earth or trekking across the barren landscape of Mars.

It will also be possible to feel what it’s like to land an A350 Airbus passenger jet and to take part in a helicopter rescue mission in a disaster zone.

The Farnborough Air Show, which last took place in 2014, is a huge event on the aviation calendar and is a fantastic opportunity for members of the world’s aerospace industry to meet face-to-face.

It features more than 1,500 exhibitors from around 40 different countries and guests will be treated to flying displays, networking seminars, aviation conferences, guest speakers and much more.

Mark said: “We now find ourselves at the beginning of a really exciting new chapter in the business and able to use one of the world’s biggest events in aerospace as a showcase for our determination and work with such an amazing client.

“Using this case study as a part of our STEM ambassador activities with local schools helps us on a more grass roots level to drive local talent in 3D and CGI to our business as a part of our commitment to employing local people.”