hear aerosim is sold yet again.
lets hope the new owners can sort it out.

There was a meeting with employees and students today about it so I assume it's public knowledge now...

Bought by L-3 and it's supposed to be part of new Commercial Training Solutions division (My guess, not actually stated but some head L-3 guy in Dallas was meeting with Aerosim). Aerosim's president mentioned the possibility of expansion of their training into other airports and fleet modernization which supposedly has been in the works for awhile? Like most things, we will hope for the best but not plan on it happening anytime soon. The plan is supposedly to ditch the SR-20's in favor of newer 172 "Glass Cockpit" aircraft. Mentioned getting rid of or replacing the seminole fleet but that was kind of mumbled out loud so who knows whats going on their. I think they just bought a new seminole from Embry Riddle....

He also mentioned they couldn't do any of this being owned by private equity because the firm that owned them was not interested in investing any money in Aerosim, just getting the dividend and selling later. He says this is L-3 purchase should change that but I am curious why L-3 wants Aerosim in particular. How does Aerosim fit into their plans for Commercial Training Solutions overall? Beside the obvious "Aerosim does flight training" but more about why is that important to L-3's new division?

Just found this: L-3 Announces Formation of Commercial Training Solutions Division | L-3 Communications

“This singular division has been specifically created to meet current and emerging market requirements and drive continued efficiencies. It has a global offering that spans the complete spectrum of Commercial Aviation Training, with services that encompass selection, cadet (ab initio) training, resourcing and airline training (including recurrent, type rating and command training) – all supported by high-technology simulation products such as the RealitySeven™ Full Flight Simulator.”

Sounds like it might be a move to acquire training contracts from Asian carriers beyond the "Train em to 250 TT" contracts that currently exist? Give the Asian airlines a one stop shop solution 0 time to FO ready? Just a wild guess.

Maybe anticipating ab-initio in the U.S. at some point soon?

I work at Aerosim. I can tell you the purchase was good for us. Students are coming in at record numbers and we have a lot of work. I don't know wereally you got this information about fleet modernization but I was in the meeting and none of that was discussed. They mention how much money they want to put in and their vision for us. As employees we are happy we now belong to a fortune 500 company.

Well.. there were two meetings and modernization was indeed discussed in the second meeting by both Hank and Matt Lambert. It's good you feel that way about L-3 and I hope they provide everything Aerosim wants and more but they are a business after all so the informed person should always keep an eye out for the why hence my earlier post speculating on that very subject.

I don't think L-3 buying Aerosim is a bad thing (If the private equity reasoning is sound) but I am interested in the why. What do the gain and to what end?

For the record, I've worked for L-3 in the past and they were a good company overall but they had so many reorgs within a few years I never really knew what division I was ever in. I would call them your standard large corporation. It is to Aerosim's benefit that they keep you as a subsidiary, if that is their plan.

Quick question about Aerosim. Does Aerosim's part 141 program and ACCSC certification qualify it as an institution of higher education?