Aviation Training Firm SIMCOM Expands Headquarters

SIMCOM International, Inc. is expanding and building a new worldwide headquarters in Orlando, Florida. The company, which currently operates two learning centers in Orlando, is investing $109 million in a new headquarters and training facility and plans to create more than 50 new high wage jobs over the next two years. The new location will house a state-of-the-art training center including the addition of five new CAE full-flight simulators.

SIMCOM serves customers from over 80 countries worldwide, providing pilot and maintenance training across a variety of general aviation, business and commercial aircraft types. The company has long standing relationships with many of the world’s aircraft manufacturers, aircraft owners, commercial airlines and business aircraft operators. Its headquarters have been moved from its previous location on Lee Vista Road to Lake Nona. The proximity to the downtown district of the Lake Nona community will give its customers access to lodging, leisure, dining, and entertainment options as they complete their training.

“Central Florida is the ideal place for us to continue our expansion,” said Eric Hinson, President and CEO of SIMCOM International. “We are able to draw on the large aviation community that already exists here in Florida, including pilots, flight instructors and other aviation and training professionals.”

Central Florida has a long history in aviation and aerospace, from the world’s first commercial aircraft flight to the present day launches into space at Cape Canaveral. The region serves as a major center for flight training due to its year-round flying weather, hyper-connected air access and robust aviation and aerospace workforce. These assets have helped Orlando become the world’s epicenter for simulation and training. Florida continues to advance aviation with research and training at leading aeronautical universities and growth in numerous sectors of the aviation industry.

"SIMCOM’s continued investment in Orlando's Lake Nona is a testament to our city’s growing reputation as a thriving epicenter for the modeling and simulation and the aviation industries,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “SIMCOM's new training center will bring people from all over the globe to Orlando for pilot and aircraft maintenance training, creating an additional impact on our community's economy and in our local businesses, and we know while these guests are here, they will experience the world-class hospitality for which Orlando is known."

The Orlando Economic Partnership worked together with the State of Florida, Space Florida, Enterprise Florida, the City of Orlando and Orange County to help the company build its business case for expanding in Orlando. The company also considered Arizona and Texas as potential locations for its new headquarters facility.