Directional Aviation Acquiring SimCom

Directional Aviation has inked a definitive agreement to acquire Orlando, Florida-based aviation simulation training company SimCom from J.W. Childs Associates for an undisclosed amount. The transaction is expected to close over the coming weeks. Eric Hinson will continue to lead SimCom as CEO, the companies said.

“Our family of companies provides a full range of services to the private business aviation industry. Simulator-based training is a huge part of our industry, one that touches every single pilot and flight provider,” said Kenn Ricci, principal at Directional Aviation, which also owns Flexjet, Nextant Aerospace, Sentient Jet, and Constant Aviation, among others. “With this acquisition, we now can provide access to one of the world’s most highly respected brands in our industry—one known for its technology and advanced flight-training capabilities.”

The demand for SimCom’s training services is projected to increase significantly because of the worldwide pilot shortage, according to the company. Global air traffic is set to grow by approximately 4.6 percent annually until 2030, resulting in a need for almost 70,000 new pilots each year, it said, citing ICAO data.

SimCom provides initial and recurrent pilot training for jet, turboprop, and piston aircraft using FAA-qualified flight training devices and full-motion simulators. Besides Orlando, SimCom also has pilot training centers in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Kirmington, UK.

In order to strengthen the relationship, build up more cooperation between Chinese domestic universities and institutions, we will organize the 4th Annual Civil Aviation Training International Forum (CATF 2018), event venue will be set up in Guanghan city, China, on December 5th-6th.

CATF 2018 is organized by Civil Aviation Flight University of China and COMAC Shanghai Aircraft Customer Service Co., Ltd., it will focus on new technology use in aviation training, effectiveness on training courses, policies on balancing general aviation training and commercial aviation training, increase trainees’ ability, all based on the collaboration between Chinese flight schools, foreign flight institutions and airlines. CATF 2018 also breeds potential business opportunities both domestically and internationally. It will be a great chance not only to know the current Chinese market, but also meet the senior executives from Chinese aviation training industry.

For more information about latest aviation training industry in China, feel free to click REGISTER with more details.