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.

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