SIMCOM is committed to delivering training solutions that allow their customers to become safer, more proficient pilots prepared for any situation.
SIMCOM provides pilot training across a variety of general aviation, business, and commercial aircraft types. In addition to aircraft type specific training, SIMCOM also provides specialty courses including upset recovery, crew resource management, high altitude, and avionics. Training is conducted in three learning centers, two of which are located in Orlando, Florida and the third in Scottsdale Arizona.
PGL Company Profile
PGL provides intelligent supply chain solutions that go beyond 3PL for virtually all key industry sectors, including:
- Aerospace
- E-Commerce
- Government
- High Tech
- Hospitality
- Industrials
- Oil & Gas
- Pharma & Healthcare
- Tradeshow
- Retail
Real life adventures in simulator moving
THE OPPORTUNITY
In our extensive experience moving flight simulators, we have found that attention to detail makes all the difference. Such is the case with this series of 6 moves, from the older SIMCOM facility to their new campus located in Orlando Florida.
Due to the delicate nature of the technology and hardware, a complex process that includes a detailed bid and extensive planning, along with execution in the form of disassembly, crating, rigging, transport, delivery and reassembly.
THE EXECUTION
As with any move of this scope, work begins with exhaustive planning to ensure that every detail is accounted for and every possible variable is addressed before any steps are taken. Additionally, the moves must be scheduled around the booking of each simulator to ensure that it is out of service for the shortest duration possible.
Once the plan is in place, we begin by sending an engineer to spend a few days to do a baseline test. Here, all functions of the simulator are run through their paces and functionality is verified.
After engineer signoff, a team is activated to dismantle the simulator. This tear-down phase includes the sourcing and utilization of multiple pieces of heavy equipment such as forklifts, scissor lifts, and in this case, a crane.
Because of the size and sensitivity of this equipment, it must be crated and rigged to protect the expensive technology so that it arrives safely at the destination.
As part of the crating and rigging, the entire unit is covered in marine wrap to keep the simulator clean and dry, even if this particular unit won’t be sent on an ocean voyage. Crating materials were also saved and reused for future moves to save on materials, enabling PGL to share the savings with the customer.
One of the more memorable moments on this move included fitting the 15 foot, 10 inch mirror crate through a door that was 16 feet wide. This is a great example of how proper planning prevents poor performance, but those 2 extra inches certainly kept us on our toes.
Once loaded on the double drop trailer to accommodate the extra wide load, 4 Florida Highway Patrol officers escorted the truck to the new facility.
Noteworthy Data
- Total Weight: 17,000 pounds
- Simulator Mirror: 15’ 10” Wide, 22’ Length 11’ High with a weight of 3,500 pounds
- 10 Days to tear down, 1 day to load and move, 1 day to unload and 15 days to reassemble
THE OUTCOME
When you consider the depth and breadth of a move like this, it’s dizzying to imagine the teams of operators, engineers, crate builders, not to mention the array of heavy equipment necessary to accomplish the task, even when the simulator is only going 30 miles to its new home.
Regardless of the distance, the application of this level of expertise and a successful, safe delivery is extremely rewarding, and a big reason why moving complex, sensitive equipment like a simulator is some of our favorite business.
