Orlando: a world leader in simulation technology

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Originally published by the  Orlando Economic Partnership on November 21, 2018.

Simulation-based technology has been a key ingredient toOrlando’s economy since it was developed to take man to the moon. Now, thetechnology spans many of Orlando’s core industries from aviation, aerospace anddefense to education, healthcare and even gaming.

Companies benefit from the region’s growing STEM workforce,the fastest growing metro for STEM jobs in the U.S., and a concentrated talentpipeline. In fact, Orlando universities offer specialized programs andcertifications, including University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Institute forSimulation and Training, Full Sail University’s Bachelor’s Degree in Simulation& Visualization and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s SimulationScience, Games and Animation program.

Defense contractors for simulation technologies especiallyhave a distinct advantage in Orlando. The simulation and training command forall Department of Defense branches is located at UCF Research Park, the 6thlargest research park in the U.S. Orlando-based companies including AVTSimulation, Engineering & Computer Simulations, Raytheon and LockheedMartin have fulfilled billions in defense contracts for simulation technologies– just in the past year alone.

Orlando’s simulation hub transcends its strong defensecluster; for example, game development company Electronics Arts (EA) employsapproximately 750 people in its Orlando office. EA draws from a large pool oftalent at the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), a top graduateschool for video game design where simulation is embedded in the curriculum.

“Considering the growth in interactive technology,artificial intelligence and virtual worlds, the synergy between simulation anddigital media at FIEA has become an incredible resource for companies in theseand many other related spaces,” said Daryl Holt, vice president and head ofoperations, EA Sports.

EA veteran and entrepreneur Andrew Tosh founded, grew andsold simulation gaming company GameSim to Keywords Studios in less than ten years.And the Call of Duty co-founder recently located a brand-new start-up, DogheadSimulations, adjacent to the Full Sail campus.

“With Orlando gaining attention as the epicenter formodeling, simulation and training, and Full Sail’s state-of-the-art facilitiesand talented pipeline of graduates, it just makes sense on so many levels,”said Chance Glasco, Doghead Simulations CCO.

Orlando’s simulation hub is also a big draw for aviationtraining companies that use simulation to train the next generation of pilotsand flight professionals. Orlando has the second highest flight trainingemployment in the country, with almost four times the amount of flight trainingjobs as the national average. Airlines including JetBlue and Allegiant havesimulation training centers located at the region’s multiple internationalairports.

Aviation training and certification programs are alsoplentiful in the region, including Aerostar Training Services, which recentlyannounced a $1.5-million building expansion including the creation of a newstate-of-the-art aircraft maintenance facility.

“The decision for Aerostar to be in the Orlando region is ano-brainer – the region’s strong ecosystem of simulation combined with itslarge pool of aviation professionals, strong airport infrastructure andyear-round flying weather make it a natural choice for any company in aviationtraining,” said Aerostar CEO Deidra Toye.

From aviation training, to aerospace and defense, gamedevelopment and beyond, a critical mass of talent and companies allows Orlandoto stake its claim as the world leader in simulation technology.