What SIMCOM Aviation Training does

SIMCOM Aviation Training, operating commercially as "Simcom by CAE," is a provider of FAA-qualified full-motion flight simulator training for business and general aviation pilots. Founded in 1989 in Orlando, Florida, the company operates a fleet of approximately 42-48 full-motion simulators across four training centers: the new 95,000 sq ft Lake Nona facility in Orlando, Orlando Parksouth, Orlando Lee Vista, and Scottsdale, Arizona, with an additional international presence in the United Kingdom. Training is delivered across three core platforms—Jet (Challenger, Citation, Eclipse, Gulfstream, LearJet, Phenom, Praetor), Turboprop (Cessna Caravan, Daher TBM, King Air, Mitsubishi MU-2, Pilatus PC-12, Piper Cheyenne, Piper Meridian, Saab 2000, Turbo Commander), and Piston (Beechcraft Baron, Cessna 300/400, Piper Navajo)—plus specialty programs including Crew Resource Management, Avionics, RVSM, High Altitude Endorsement, Hypoxia/DeSat, Turbine Transition, Pinch Hitter, and Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT). Core technology relies on full-motion flight simulators using genuine aircraft avionics and components, FAA-qualified devices, motion cueing systems, and high-fidelity visual databases built from satellite imagery. The company maintains exclusive factory-authorized training provider relationships with Pilatus (PC-12), Daher (TBM series), Piper (PA46/Malibu/Mirage/Matrix), and Mitsubishi (MU-2), and operates a 15-year exclusive training services agreement with Flexjet and other Directional Aviation Capital affiliates following CAE's November 2024 acquisition of majority ownership. Revenue is generated primarily through transactional per-course fees (initial type ratings, recurrent training, proficiency checks) booked via inside sales or online scheduling, with pilot throughput estimated at 6,500 annually and stated capacity for over 10,000 training events per year.

Name

SIMCOM Aviation Training

Legal name

Simcom by CAE Aviation Training

Website

https://simulator.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SIMCOM Aviation Training (Simcom by CAE) provides FAA-qualified full-motion flight simulator training for business and general aviation pilots across jet, turboprop, and piston platforms, serving individual aircraft owners, fractional operators like Flexjet, and commercial crews from four US and UK training centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)

Keywords

• Flight simulator training
• Aviation pilot training
• Type rating courses
• Business aviation training
• Recurrent pilot training

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Pilot Training Programs: Primary revenue from instructor-led pilot training courses including initial type ratings, recurrent training, and proficiency checks for various aircraft types. Training is delivered in full-motion simulators at company-owned training centers. Revenue is transactional per course rather than recurring.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SIMCOM Aviation Training delivers full-motion simulator-based pilot training services across jet, turboprop, and piston aircraft categories for the general aviation, business aviation, and regional airline markets. Training is conducted at four company-owned facilities using FAA-qualified simulators that integrate genuine manufacturer avionics and components, supplemented by specialty courses in Crew Resource Management, Upset Recovery, Hypoxia, RVSM, and Turbine Transition. The company operates as a factory-authorized training provider for Pilatus, Daher, Piper, and Mitsubishi Aircraft under exclusive long-term agreements.

Product overview

SIMCOM Aviation Training (Simcom by CAE) is a provider of flight simulator-based training services for the general aviation, business aviation, and regional airline markets. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of simulator training across three main categories: Jet Training (for aircraft including Challenger, Citation, Eclipse, Gulfstream, LearJet, Phenom, and Praetor series), Turboprop Training (for aircraft including Cessna Caravan, Daher TBM, King Air, Mitsubishi MU-2, Pilatus PC-12, Piper Cheyenne, and others), and Piston Training (for Beechcraft Baron, Cessna, and Piper Navajo series). Beyond aircraft-specific training, the company provides specialty courses including Avionics, Crew Resource Management, High Altitude Endorsement, Hypoxia Training (DeSat), Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), RVSM, Turbine Transition, and Pinch Hitter programs. Training is delivered through four facilities: Lake Nona (Orlando, FL), Scottsdale (AZ), Orlando Parksouth (FL), and Orlando Lee Vista (FL). The company also offers eLearning courses through a CAE partnership and maintains exclusive training agreements with major aircraft manufacturers including Pilatus, Daher, Mitsubishi, and Piper.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jet Simulator Training Full-flight simulator training for business jet aircraft including Challenger 300/3500, Citation 500/510/525, Dornier 328JET, Eclipse 500/550, Gulfstream G650, LearJet, Phenom 300, and Praetor 600 series. Designed for commercial operators and private pilots requiring type ratings, recurrent training, and proficiency checks on jet aircraft.
• Turboprop Simulator Training Full-flight simulator training for turboprop aircraft including Cessna Caravan, Cessna Conquest, Daher TBM series, King Air 90/100/200/250/300/350, Kodiak, Mitsubishi MU-2, Pilatus PC-12, Piper Cheyenne, Piper Meridian/M500, Saab 2000, and Turbo Commander series. For pilots of single-pilot and light turboprop business aircraft.
• Piston Simulator Training Flight simulator training for piston-powered aircraft including Beechcraft Baron, Cessna 300/400 Series, and Piper Navajo Series. Targeted at owner-pilots and pilots of piston twins requiring recurrent and proficiency training.
• Specialty Training Courses Specialty training programs including Crew Resource Management (CRM), High Altitude Endorsement, Hypoxia Training (DeSat), Pinch Hitter (emergency passenger pilot training), RVSM, Turbine Transition, Avionics, and Upset Recovery Training. Designed for business aviation pilots needing additional certifications and human factors training.
• MU2 Maintenance Training Training services for aircraft maintenance personnel, including dedicated MU2 maintenance courses. Targeted at mechanics and technicians servicing Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft.
• DeSat Hypoxia Training Individualized slow-onset hypoxia training addressing awareness and management of decompression scenarios at high altitudes, offered in partnership with Southern AeroMedical Institute. For flight crews operating high-altitude aircraft.
• APS UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training) Upset Prevention and Recovery Training provided in partnership with Aviation Performance Solutions, combining online and instructor-led academic training with on-aircraft and advanced simulation solutions. Addresses stall and spin recovery training for pilots.
• Patty Wagstaff UPRTA (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training - Air) In-aircraft upset prevention and recovery training in partnership with Patty Wagstaff Aviation Safety, using Extra 300L aircraft at St. Augustine Airport. Provides aerobatic upset recovery experience as a complement to simulator-based training.
• Simcom by CAE 360° Program Comprehensive recurrent training program combining an initial 2-3 day training event followed by a customized 6-month follow-up session with options for simulator or in-aircraft training. Designed for business aviation operators seeking structured ongoing pilot proficiency programs.
• CAE eLearning Courses Online learning platform with more than 80 courses covering General Operating and Bombardier aircraft-specific topics, available through BusinessAviationLearning.cae.com. Designed for business aviation pilots seeking flexible self-paced supplementary learning.
• Simcom by CAE Live Remote Training Live remote classroom-based training courses launched in May 2020, delivered fully interactively by SIMCOM by CAE instructors. Allows pilots to participate in ground school and academic training remotely from their home or office.
• Veterans Airlift Command Program Partnership program with Veterans Airlift Command providing free recurrent training to volunteer pilots who complete the most VAC missions, supporting the charitable mission of transporting military veterans.
• PC-12 PRO Simulator Training Factory-authorized simulator training for the Pilatus PC-12 PRO aircraft using EASA-approved Level 2 and FAA-approved Level 6 Flight Training Devices incorporating Garmin G3000 PRIME avionics. For PC-12 PRO pilots seeking type rating and recurrent training on the latest PC-12 variant.
• Lake Nona Training Center (Orlando, FL) 95,000 square foot training facility in Orlando, Florida with capacity for 12 full-motion simulators and 6 stationary simulators. Houses Gulfstream G650, Bombardier Challenger 3500, Embraer Praetor 600, Phenom 300, and turboprop simulators.
• Scottsdale Training Center Training facility in Scottsdale, Arizona offering business jet and turboprop simulator training, including the Citation Mustang full motion simulator added in July 2018.
• Orlando Parksouth Training Center Training center in Orlando, Florida specializing in various aircraft type training under the management of Training Center Manager Robert Aliaga.
• Orlando Lee Vista Training Center Training center in Orlando, Florida offering pilot training courses under the management of Training Center Manager John Warnk.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90,000+ training events delivered historically
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Pilatus AircraftflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIMCOM is an authorized training provider for Pilatus PC-12 pilots. Pilatus refers new PC-12 owners and operators to SIMCOM for type rating and recurrent training programs.
• DaherflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIMCOM is an authorized training provider for Daher TBM series aircraft. Provides factory-authorized type rating and recurrent training for TBM 700, TBM 850, and TBM 910 pilots.
• Piper AircraftflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIMCOM is an authorized training provider for Piper PA46 (Malibu, Mirage, Matrix) aircraft. Provides factory-authorized training programs endorsed by Piper Aircraft.
• Mitsubishi Aircraft CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIMCOM is an authorized training provider for Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft. Provides type rating and recurrent training programs for MU-2 pilots.
• Frasca InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationFrasca International is a simulator manufacturer and technology provider that supplies simulation equipment to SIMCOM for use in their flight training devices and simulators.
• Patty Wagstaff Aviation SafetyminorOthersPartnership for Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRTA). Patty Wagstaff is a renowned aerobatics champion who provides expertise for upset prevention training programs at SIMCOM.
• Southern AeroMedical InstituteminorOthersPartnership for DeSat (decompression sickness) and hypoxia training. Provides specialized medical training for flight crews on physiological aspects of high-altitude flight.
• Aviation Performance Solutions (APS)minorOthersPartnership for Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT). APS is a specialized provider of stall and spin recovery training that complements SIMCOM's simulation-based training programs.
• Veterans Airlift CommandminorOthersSIMCOM provides free or reduced-cost training to military veterans through partnership with Veterans Airlift Command, a charitable organization supporting veterans.
• Turbine Solutions, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIMCOM acquired Turbine Solutions, Inc., a company specializing in in-aircraft training for TBM aircraft. This acquisition expanded SIMCOM's training capabilities to include both simulator and in-aircraft training options.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pan Am International Flight Academy: Pan Am International Flight Academy operates multi-location pilot training programs including full-motion simulator-based type ratings and recurrent training, targeting both airline and business aviation pilots in a comparable way to SIMCOM's offerings.
• Lufthansa Aviation Training: Lufthansa Aviation Training operates full-flight simulator training centers in Germany and across Europe, serving both airline and business aviation pilots with type ratings and recurrent training. It is one of the few competitors with a comparable multi-center, full-motion simulator footprint focused on professional pilot training.
• FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, is the largest direct competitor in business aviation full-motion simulator training, offering type ratings and recurrent training across a similar fleet of business jets and turboprops at a global network of learning centers.
• TRU Simulation + Training: TRU Simulation + Training (now part of CAE) designs and operates full-flight simulators and training services for civil and business aviation, overlapping directly with SIMCOM's simulator-based training offerings and aircraft type coverage.
• Epic Flight Academy: Epic Flight Academy is a US-based multi-location flight training provider offering professional pilot programs including simulator-based training, comparable to SIMCOM in customer profile (aspiring and active professional pilots) though with a stronger fixed-wing ab initio focus.
• ATP Flight School: ATP Flight School is the largest US airline-oriented pilot training school with multiple locations and a sizable fleet of training devices, competing for the same pool of professional pilot trainees and offering type-rating-adjacent training programs.

Broad incumbents

• Boeing Flight Services: Boeing Flight Services operates pilot training centers and eLearning platforms for commercial aviation, including business aviation-adjacent offerings. As a broad incumbent aerospace OEM with training services, it competes for similar high-end training budgets though primarily in the commercial airline segment.
• CAE Inc. CAE is SIMCOM's majority owner and the world's largest provider of aviation training services with ~40% global market share in business aviation training. It operates a parallel network of training centers and competes for the same manufacturer authorizations and operator accounts at a broader scale.

Others

• Frasca International: Frasca International is a leading manufacturer of flight training devices and simulators (including the Bonanza A-36 device at SIMCOM) and a key equipment supplier to the flight training industry, adjacent to SIMCOM as a core input provider rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Loft Dynamics: Loft Dynamics is a Swiss VR flight simulation startup that has secured EASA qualification for VR-based helicopter and fixed-wing simulators, positioning itself as a lower-cost alternative for type-rating and recurrent training in segments SIMCOM serves with full-motion devices.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SIMCOMFLIGHTTRAINING
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simcom-aviation-training
• Xx.com/simcomaviation
• Facebookfacebook.com/simcomaviationtraining

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SIMCOM Aviation Training