Florida aerospace special - Beyond the theme parks

Orlando is about much more than themeparks, say those responsible for marketing its image as a centre of high-tech research and design

Millions of visitors descend on Orlando each year, but few venture beyond the hotels, theme parks and restaurants around International Drive. Tourism and conventions are the lifeblood of central Florida, providing jobs for hundreds of thousands. But Sharon Benoit, whose job at the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission is to attract overseas investment, wants foreign visitors to see a different Orlando: a high-tech hub for industries including medical research, digital media and aerospace and defence, particularly in simulation, training and homeland security. "Orlando is about much more than tourism," she says.

The four counties around Orlando contain one of Florida's four chief clusters of aerospace. There is some bluecollar manufacturing - FMC Technologies is a world-leader in airport equipment, including air bridges and stairs, cargo loaders and tow-tractors - but most of Orlando's aerospace sector is of the lab coat and chinos variety. Much of it is based around the University of Central Florida. The computer simulation expertise built by Disney and Universal Studios has also spun off into aerospace and defence, with programmers switching from devising children's thrills to wargaming or cockpit training.

Aerospace and aviation companies based in Florida include business aviation training specialist Simcom (see training, opposite page), and Carley and DEI Services, which provide training services to the armed forces. "This is the capital of simulation and you need a presence here if you want to work in simulation," says Val Hopkins of San Mateo-based Forterra Systems, which recently opened its national security division in the city.

Orlando is also home to two Lockheed Martin divisions: Simulation, Training & Support (STS), and Missiles & Fire Control. More than 3,200 work at STS in Orlando and 50 locations around the world, providing live and virtual training to militaries. The business manages the US Department of Defense's training for Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules and F-22s, as well as Boeing F-15s, and will also play a key role in training Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter crews. The US programme will begin in February 2010 at Florida's Eglin air base, while training in the UK and the Netherlands will start the following year.

Critical design review

In August, the training programme completed its critical design review, allowing STS to develop hardware and software, which Dale Bennett, STS president, says will "ensure pilots get the most comprehensive, technologically-advanced integrated schoolhouse possible".

In a joint venture with VT Group, STS has the contract to provide aircrew training for the UK armed forces under the Military Flying Training System, and a 20-year deal to train Singapore air force pilots.

Source: Flight International