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

Directional Aviation has inked a definitive agreement to acquire Orlando, Florida-based aviation simulation training company SimCom from J.W. Childs Associates for an undisclosed amount. The transaction is expected to close over the coming weeks. Eric Hinson will continue to lead SimCom as CEO, the companies said.

 


“Our family of companies provides a full range of services to the private business aviation industry. Simulator-based training is a huge part of our industry, one that touches every single pilot and flight provider,” said Kenn Ricci, principal at Directional Aviation, which also owns Flexjet, Nextant Aerospace, Sentient Jet, and Constant Aviation, among others. “With this acquisition, we now can provide access to one of the world’s most highly respected brands in our industry—one known for its technology and advanced flight-training capabilities.”

 


The demand for SimCom’s training services is projected to increase significantly because of the worldwide pilot shortage, according to the company. Global air traffic is set to grow by approximately 4.6 percent annually until 2030, resulting in a need for almost 70,000 new pilots each year, it said, citing ICAO data.

 


SimCom provides initial and recurrent pilot training for jet, turboprop, and piston aircraft using FAA-qualified flight training devices and full-motion simulators. Besides Orlando, SimCom also has pilot training centers in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Kirmington, UK.

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

Directional Aviation Acquiring SimCom

SimCom provides pilot training for jet, turboprop, and piston aircraft using FAA-qualified flight training devices and full-motion simulators.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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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.

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

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

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.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The Dutch air force will receive eight of the two-seaters in 2027

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Matt Thurber

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Why not teach new pilots to go around before learning how to land?

AINsight: You Can (and Should) Always Go Around

Kerry Lynch

Most major manufacturers will be at static this year

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

First step toward licensing could encourage youth to seek aviation careers

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Charlotte Bailey

Evolving AI-augmented simulator-based approach to ‘gamify’ learning 

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Howard Hardee

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.

More In Training and Workforce

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People in Aviation —September 2026

Michel Denis was named CEO of Daher, Steve Varsano president of Flexjet, and Robert Sumwalt was the next Wright Trophy recipient

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