Simcom Aviation Training is holding the grand opening of its newly constructed aviation training center this afternoon in Lake Nona, Florida, adjacent to Orlando International Airport (KMCO). The 95,000-sq-ft facility can accommodate up to 12 full-motion aircraft simulators and six non-motion devices.

Five CAE-manufactured full-motion simulators—one each for the Gulfstream G650, Bombardier Challenger 3500, and Embraer Phenom 300, and two for the Embraer Praetor 600—are already operational at the center. Those for the Pilatus PC-12 series 9, PC-12 NG, and the Daher TBM 700, 850, and 940 have also been relocated to the facility.

The Lake Nona complex features two customer lounges, digital classrooms and briefing rooms, and a 156-seat auditorium. According to Simcom, the center will conduct more than 10,000 annual training events. Customers attending courses at the Lake Nona Center can stay in downtown Lake Nona hotels or eat in nearby restaurants, which Simcom said are within easy walking distance.

With the addition of Lake Nona, Simcom is now operating from four training centers—three in Orlando and one in Scottsdale, Arizona. “We are building the aviation training company of the future,” said Simcom president and CEO Eric Hinson, “designed to meet the needs of everyone, from owner-pilots to large fleet operators.”

Defining professionalism in aviation is hard. The exact definition of professionalism depends on who you ask—a chief pilot, flight standards and training manager, or line pilot may each define the attributes of a professional pilot in a different way. It is much easier to define an unprofessional act or unprofessional behavior than to pinpoint exactly what makes an aviator a “pro.” As a safety practitioner, though, I am certain that being a professional has little to do with collecting a paycheck or wearing a necktie.

Professionalism in aviation, according to the NBAA Safety Committee, “is the pursuit of excellence through discipline, ethical behavior, and continuous improvement.” The committee further identifies professionalism as “the cornerstone focus of active safety management where professional behaviors rule and safe actions become a byproduct.” As one of its foundations for safety, the NBAA said, “Professionalism is about who we are and how we approach everything that we do.”

Outwardly acting the part by being respectful, communicating clearly and positively, and showing maturity (which sometimes requires discretion) will be much more impactful to a professional image than wearing a necktie. (Communicating effectively and professionally, and showing maturity, does not include meowing on “guard” frequency.) These attributes relate more directly to good CRM skills, managing a flight deck, or working with other employees.

While the House passed a short-term extension for FAA reauthorization earlier this week, the Senate has delayed action at least into next week as it haggles over Ukrainian aid and the U.S. border.

The House passed H.R.6503, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2023, on Monday to provide lawmakers until March 8 to pass a comprehensive FAA reauthorization package. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) yesterday attempted to bring up the extension for consideration on the floor, but Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) placed a temporary hold.

The Senate had originally hoped to break for the holidays today, but last-minute disagreements are keeping the chamber in session into next week.

The short-term extension—the second such stopgap measure for the FAA bill this year—passed with bipartisan support amongst the leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and aviation subcommittee.

Meanwhile, Cruz maintained, “The Senate cannot leave for the holidays without passing an extension,” adding that without an extension, airport construction projects using FAA grants would halt, the agency would be unable to tap into the aviation trust fund for projects (resulting in furloughs), special authorizations for drone authorizations could expire, and airline ticket taxes could not be collected.

The pilot and a passenger were killed when a Pilatus PC-12—N188PC—crashed just after noon on Thursday, while approaching San Angelo Regional Airport (KSJT) in Texas after departing from Craig Airport (KCRG) in Jacksonville, Florida. 

According to ADS-B Exchange, the last ADS-B data from the PC-12 showed it at 2,800 feet with a groundspeed of 259 knots and rate of descent of 5,506 fpm. The turboprop was on the Runway 36 RNAV GPS approach to KSJT, according to the Flight Safety Foundation’s Aviation Safety Network, which cited local news reports. The NTSB sent a message on X that it is investigating the accident.

Weather at KSJT near the approach time was 10 miles visibility and 1,300 feet overcast. 

The FAA registry shows the PC-12 registered to Timeless USA LLC.

The U.S. Treasury and Internal Revenue Service this morning released new guidance expanding the range of sustainable fuels eligible for federal tax credits created by last year’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Under the IRA, SAF producers are required to use a carbon lifecycle assessment developed by ICAO to determine their qualification for SAF production incentives. The new guidance will accept the use of a Department of Energy (DoE) standard, which many believe will weigh ethanol-derived SAF more favorably and make it eligible for subsidies.

The DoE will release an updated version of its Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) standard by March 1, 2024. It will incorporate new data and science, including new modeling of feedstocks and processes used in SAF production.

The move had been lobbied for by the agriculture and aviation industries and was hailed by SAF producers that expect it will jumpstart investment in SAF production and spur demand.

Yet the news was met with some skepticism from environmental groups concerned over the expansion of feedstocks that would be covered under the new guidance.

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