Graham Warwick WASHINGTON DC
Simcom International is expanding its factory-authorised training business with the acquisition of Attitudes International, the exclusive provider of customer training on New Piper Aircraft's Seneca, Saratoga and Malibu light aircraft.
Orlando, Florida-based Simcom already provides factory-authorised training for the Pilatus PC-12 single-turboprop utility aircraft and has been selected to provide pilot and maintenance training for the AASI Jetcruzer 500 and VisionAire Vantage single-turbine business aircraft.
Vero Beach, Florida-based Attitudes International will be operated as a Simcom training centre, says president Wally David. Training on the Piper types will also be provided at Simcom's Scottsdale, Arizona, centre beginning in January.
The Vero Beach centre has a Malibu simulator, and David expects to install one for the single-turboprop Meridian under a separate contract to be negotiated with Piper. Simcom builds its own simulators, and a Level 5 flight-training device for the PC-12 has just entered service at Orlando.
Simulators will also be built for the Jetcruzer, for installation at Scottsdale, and Vantage, initially for Orlando, says David. Simcom is also building a simulator for the Air Tractor agricultural aircraft, he says, to provide factory-authorised training at Scottsdale.
The company operates several simulators for popular piston and turboprop twins, and is expanding into the business jet market, according to David. A Level B simulator for the Cessna Citation II will enter service early next year at Orlando, he says.
The company has also acquired a Learjet 35 flight training device for upgrade to a Level B simulator, it will enter service in Orlando late next year.
Source: Flight International