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

Charles Alcock

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

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

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AIN Staff

In a Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) roundtable on retention, an aviation staffing expert and flight department leaders traded hard-won lessons on money, culture, and knowing who you’re really competing with.

The Retention Stool Has Four Legs: What Flight Departments Get Wrong about Keeping Talent

Across three separate CALS sessions, flight department leaders worked through the same hard questions about earning trust, leading individuals, and holding the line.

Leadership from the Cockpit to the Department: What Three Days of Roundtables Revealed

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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Matt Thurber

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News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

More In Training and Workforce

Axis Announces Plans for Helicopter Training Systems

Austrian manufacturer has yet to say which rotorcraft types it will support

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In a Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) roundtable on retention, an aviation staffing expert and flight department leaders traded hard-won lessons on money, culture, and knowing who you’re really competing with.

Leadership from the Cockpit to the Department: What Three Days of Roundtables Revealed

Across three separate CALS sessions, flight department leaders worked through the same hard questions about earning trust, leading individuals, and holding the line.

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The lack of 3D data is holding back some aspects of manufacturing

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Saxon Air executive Rachel Harvey chairs the group for young charter professionals

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Building recruiting reputations for your company long before a job is posted

Kawasaki To Deploy 1st Asia-Pac Loft H145 VR Simulator

Virtual-reality device allows pilots and crew to practice realistic emergency scenarios

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