Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

SimCom Training Centers closed a <a href="?q=node/30812">deal to acquire 14 simulators and training programs from FlightSafety</a> International on August 17. With this addition, Orlando, Fla.-based SimCom will operate 59 flight simulators at its five U.S. training centers.
The move continues a string of growth by acquisitions for SimCom that began in 2008 after the economic downturn took hold, company founder and CEO Wally David told AIN. “We believe in the general aviation market, and we foresaw good buying opportunities in a down market,” he said.
The list of devices and programs SimCom acquired includes the King Air 90B and B200; Cessna 210, 421C, 425 and Conquest I and II; Piper Navajo and Cheyenne I/II and III; Twin Commander 690A and 1000 turboprops; Beech Baron 58; and Saab 2000. The simulators range from advanced flight training devices for the piston-powered models to Level-B full-motion simulators for the turboprops. Transfer of the simulators and courseware from FlightSafety to SimCom began immediately after the deal was completed and is expected to be completed by year-end.
The majority of the acquired equipment is located at FlightSafety’s learning center in Lakeland, Fla. FlightSafety confirmed to AIN that this facility will be closed after the simulators are removed “The Center has approximately 25 employees,” a FlightSafety spokesman said. “While we have not yet completed all the arrangements for them, we expect that many will transfer to other FlightSafety locations.” In fact, Lakeland center manager Jerry Mobley has already been transferred to FSI’s West Palm Beach, Fla. facility.
The eight Twin Commander, Cessna and Cheyenne III simulators and training programs will be relocated to SimCom’s training facility in Dallas. The remaining King Air, Cheyenne I/II, Navajo, Beech Baron and Saab 2000 simulators and training programs will be installed at the company’s Orlando center.
“We are excited to be adding simulators and training capabilities,” said David. “Even though we have tended to add Level C and D full-motion jet simulators over the past few years, we will always consider turboprop and piston pilots to be an important part of our business. We are confident these aircraft and their operators will continue to play a major role in the future of general aviation. In fact, many of our customers tell us they are flying turboprops and pistons more than ever due to their utility and cost of operation.”
FlightSafety said the sale of these 14 programs will allow it to increase its concentration on providing training programs for current and next-generation aircraft. “This includes the ongoing expansion of FlightSafety’s worldwide learning center network, and the addition of new Level-D-qualified flight simulators, training programs and services,” it added.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

SimCom Acquires 14 Programs from FlightSafety

SimCom Training Centers closed a <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/simcom-to-buy-14-aircraft-training-programs-from-fsi-30812

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

With 360-viewing, the device gives pilots a realistic picture of the outside world

Pathfinder Places Loft H125 VR Simulator in Anchorage 

Amy Wilder

Course fees include NBAA-BACE 2026 registration

Safety, Leadership Development Courses Added to BACE

Reports flag pay, schedule, relocation friction points

CrewBlast Co-Pilot AI Tool Analyzes Candidate Feedback

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

More In Training and Workforce

Pathfinder Places Loft H125 VR Simulator in Anchorage

With 360-viewing, the device gives pilots a realistic picture of the outside world

Safety, Leadership Development Courses Added to BACE

Course fees include NBAA-BACE 2026 registration

CrewBlast Co-Pilot AI Tool Analyzes Candidate Feedback

Reports flag pay, schedule, relocation friction points

Farnborough Airport Recruits More Operations Trainees

London-area airport is starting its third training program

Twelfth Girls in Aviation Day Expects 34,500 Attendees

Events planned across 27 countries and activities include tailwheel build, flight planning

Bizav AI Agent Skyler: ‘AI Doesn’t Replace Humans’

Technology can speed up the process but doesn’t replace human oversight

NBAA Survey Finds, as Industry Grows, So Do Salaries

Salaries are up by 7% in some cases

AIN Editor-in-chief Matt Thurber To Retire in October

Four-decade career in aviation journalism culminated in leading AIN’s editorial team

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN