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Leading Flight Simulation Company to Build 90,000 Square-Foot Facility in Lake Nona Town Center
Lake Nona, Orlando’s fastest-growing community and thriving innovation hub, announced today that SIMCOM Aviation Training is building a new global headquarters and training facility in the Lake Nona Town Center. The five-acre site will include 12 full-flight simulator bays and train an estimated 10,000 pilots per year. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to begin construction this year and open in 2022.
“We congratulate SIMCOM on their expansion,” said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. “Their new headquarters and training facility in Orlando is a great addition to Florida’s ever growing aviation industry. We wish them all the success.”
Conveniently located within the growing Lake Nona Town Center along the new Nemours Parkway extension, the SIMCOM headquarters will be a 90,000-square-foot building with the ability to expand to 140,000 square feet. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to create more than 50 new high-wage jobs over the next two years. Plans for the building reflect a new congenial approach for aviation training facilities with the headquarters designed to welcome employees and trainees and encourage comradery.
“We’re excited to welcome SIMCOM Aviation Training’s new, state-of-the-art headquarters and full-flight simulation center to Lake Nona,” said Tavistock Managing Director Ben Weaver. “Thanks to our unique location adjacent to Orlando International Airport, Lake Nona is an attractive destination for the aerospace industry. We look forward to welcoming more organizations to Lake Nona as our growing aerospace cluster continues to expand.”
A 50 percent stake in SIMCOM was recently acquired by CAE, the largest simulator company in the world and a global leader in training for civil aviation, defense and security, and health care. SIMCOM’s new training facility in Lake Nona will feature five full-flight simulators (FFSs) and five flight training devices (FTDs) purchased from CAE. The FFSs include a Gulfstream G650, two Bombardier Challenger CL350s, one Embraer Phenom 300, and one Embraer Legacy 500. Additional equipment from SIMCOM’s other training facilities in Orlando will also be moved to the new building.
“SIMCOM is proud to call Orlando home,” said Eric Hinson, President and CEO of SIMCOM International. “This is an exciting new chapter for our company and the new downtown Lake Nona district is the perfect location for our continued growth.”
Central Florida has a long history in aviation and aerospace. 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.
“One of my goals for Orange County is the continued growth of our tech-based business sector and SIMCOM is a wonderful addition to our thriving modeling, simulation and technology community,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “We are glad that SIMCOM found its new home in Lake Nona.’
“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.”
SIMCOM joins another aerospace leader, BBA Aviation/Signature Flight Support, which opened its Lake Nona headquarters in 2018. Proximity to Florida’s busiest international airport combined with unparalleled community amenities continue to make Lake Nona a desired destination for top companies, including KPMG, U.S. Tennis Association, and Johnson & Johnson, to build global training facilities.
For more information, visit www.tavistockdevelopment.com.
About Lake Nona
Located in Orlando, Fla., Lake Nona is one of the fastest-growing master-planned communities in America developed by Tavistock Development Company. Known for thoughtfully designed neighborhoods, top-rated education facilities, business and research clusters, retail and entertainment centers, and diverse workspaces, Lake Nona encompasses the best Central Florida has to offer. Lake Nona sets the foundation for a collaborative relationship between the people who live, work, and visit there by prioritizing forward-thinking technology, strategic partnerships, education, and wellbeing. For more information, visit www.lakenona.com
About SIMCOM
A privately-owned, comprehensive learning institution, SIMCOM utilizes realistic simulator-based training to provide advanced aviation training services to professional pilots, owner-operators, Part 135 operators and maintenance personnel operating in general aviation, regional, military, government and cargo operations around the world. SIMCOM currently operates 47 simulators and flight training devices representative of a wide range of jet, turboprop and piston powered aircraft. The company is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. www.simulator.com