2026 Flight Simulator Engineering and Maintenance Conference (FSEMC) Simtek is excited to announce that our team will be attending the 2026 Flight Simulator Engineering and Maintenance Conference (FSEMC), taking place October 5–8, 2026, in Frankfurt, Germany. FSEMC is one of the flight simulation industry's key technical gatherings, bringing together simulator operators, airlines, training organizations, airframe manufacturers, training-device manufacturers, equipment supplie

In simulation, where your hardware is built can directly affect how quickly your program can respond. C-130 FLIGHT SIMULATOR Flight simulators are long-life systems. A trainer delivered today may remain in service for years—or decades—while aircraft configurations change, components become obsolete, interfaces evolve, and training requirements continue to move forward. That makes the manufacturing strategy behind the hardware increasingly important. For simulator manufacturer

The training requirement may change. The cockpit hardware strategy doesn’t have to. Flight training devices come in many forms. Simtek FTD - Level D One customer may need a cost-effective FTD for procedures and familiarization. Another may require a full-motion, high-fidelity simulator capable of supporting the most demanding training requirements. Those systems are very different. But that does not mean every avionics panel, display, control, and cockpit assembly has to be r

A cockpit panel is more than a faceplate. At first glance, a simulator panel may look simple: a few switches, knobs, displays, and backlighting mounted behind an engraved surface. In reality, producing a high-fidelity cockpit device requires many different technologies to work together as one system. It Starts with Mechanical Design Every control must be positioned correctly. Switch spacing, knob diameter, shaft location, display placement, panel thickness, fastener location,

Simtek APX-119 Today’s trainer must be ready for tomorrow’s architecture. Military simulation is changing rapidly. The focus is no longer simply on building a highly realistic standalone simulator. The next generation of training systems must be capable of connecting, adapting, expanding, and integrating new technologies as requirements evolve. The U.S. Army’s Synthetic Training Environment (STE) is a clear example of that shift. The Army’s vision calls for common synthetic e

Simtek - H60 Flight Simulator The flight simulation industry is changing. In July 2026, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) introduced its most significant update to Flight Simulation Training Device qualification in decades. The new framework introduces the FSTD Capability Signature (FCS) and places greater emphasis on matching simulator capabilities and fidelity to the actual training task being performed. For simulator manufacturers, training organizations, ai

SIMTEK - T-6 FLIGHT SIMULATOR Flight simulation has changed dramatically. Traditional full-cockpit simulators are now being joined by virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and other immersive training systems. But no matter how advanced the visuals become, one thing has not changed: Pilots still train with their hands. A simulator can reproduce an aircraft cockpit with impressive visual accuracy, but if the switches, knobs, controls, and displays do not feel and operate l

In flight simulation, fidelity matters—but not every part of a training device needs to be built exactly like the aircraft. Simtek F-18 Flight Simulator For prime contractors and simulator integrators, one of the most important decisions during development is determining where aircraft-level fidelity directly supports the training objective and where it simply adds unnecessary cost, complexity, weight, and schedule risk. The goal should not always be to reproduce an aircraft

From all of us at Simtek—thank you for your service. The U.S. Coast Guard stands watch when it matters most—often in the worst conditions, with lives on the line and zero room for error. On your birthday, we’re recognizing the men and women who protect our shores, enforce maritime law, secure critical waterways, and lead some of the most respected search-and-rescue operations in the world. Always ready—because the mission doesn’t wait Coast Guard operations are unique: one da

Selecting a supplier for a flight-simulation program involves more than finding a company that can manufacture a panel, instrument, or display. Prime contractors need a simulated avionics partner that understands the full program lifecycle—from early engineering and prototype development through repeatable production, documentation, delivery, and long-term support. The right partner should strengthen the program, reduce technical and schedule risk, and remain responsive when

A simulator that cannot train is not a low-cost solution. Lower-cost simulator hardware can be attractive at the beginning of a program. Budgets are tight. Schedules are aggressive. A lower initial quote may appear to create an easy path to getting a device built, delivered, and into service. But the purchase price is only one part of the cost. For simulator OEMs, training organizations, and program managers, the more important question is not simply, “What does this hardware

F-16 CENTER PEDESTAL DISPLAY In simulator hardware, fidelity is often discussed in broad terms. High fidelity. Low fidelity. Aircraft-representative. Training-capable. But real fidelity is not created by one large feature or one impressive-looking cockpit assembly. It lives in the details. It is found in the feel of a switch as it moves through its detent. It is found in the brightness and clarity of an annunciator. It is found in the spacing of a panel legend, the resistance

Simtek C-130 Flight Simulator Control Panel When prime contractors select simulation hardware partners, they are not simply looking for a supplier that can produce a panel, display, or instrument. They need a company that understands the realities of program execution: technical requirements, schedule pressure, repeatability, quality documentation, long-term support, and the ability to deliver products that perform reliably in demanding training environments. That is where Si

Simtek - Simulated Avionics Simulator programs are under constant pressure to reduce cost. Customers want shorter lead times, easier maintenance, and lower acquisition cost. All without sacrificing the realism needed to support effective training. The good news is that lowering cost does not have to mean lowering training value. The key is identifying where fidelity truly matters and where a simpler, purpose-built solution can provide the same training benefit. Focus Fidelity

From all of us at Simtek—thank you, Soldiers. The U.S. Army birthday is a chance to recognize something timeless: grit, discipline, and commitment to the mission. For generations, Soldiers have carried the standard—often in the toughest conditions—so others can live in peace. A legacy of service and strength The Army’s history is written in perseverance: adapting to changing battlefields, evolving tactics and technology, and building teams that can execute anywhere in the wor

Few aircraft represent endurance, capability, and mission readiness like the B-52 Stratofortress. B-52 Flight Simulator Control Panel - Simtek For decades, the B-52 has remained one of the most recognized aircraft in the United States Air Force fleet. Designed as a long-range, heavy bomber, the B-52 continues to support a wide range of missions and remains a critical part of America’s strategic aviation capability. The aircraft is capable of operating at high subsonic speeds

TSIS 2026 Every year, Simtek attends the Training & Simulation Industry Symposium (TSIS) to stay connected with the evolving needs of the U.S. military training community and to strengthen relationships with our customers and industry partners. We are proud to once again attend TSIS 2026, taking place June 17–18 in Orlando, Florida. TSIS is one of the premier events focused on military training and simulation, bringing together Service procurement leaders, program managers, i

Simtek Synchroscope - Power Plant Training For decades, Simtek has been recognized for delivering high-fidelity simulated avionics used in commercial and military flight simulators around the world. But our engineering expertise extends far beyond the cockpit. Today, Simtek also designs and manufactures simulated training hardware solutions for power plant simulators and industrial training environments — helping operators train safely, efficiently, and realistically without

Memorial Day is not a celebration—it’s a day of remembrance. It’s the day we pause to honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to this country. They didn’t come home. And because they didn’t, generations of Americans have been able to live, work, build, and raise families in freedom. At Simtek, Memorial Day carries weight. We don’t take our role in the defense and training ecosystem lightly. We build simulated avionics that sup

Vertical Integration. Total Control. Why Vertical Integration Flight Simulation Manufacturing Matters In the world of aviation training, reliability and precision are everything. Flight simulators are expected to perform day after day in demanding training environments where failure is not an option. That is why vertical integration flight simulation manufacturing plays such an important role in delivering dependable simulator hardware. At Simtek, nearly every aspect of engin