FlightSafety’s New CEO: A Pilot’s Hand Returns to the Controls

COLUMBUS, OH – December 01, 2025 – In a strategic move that signals a renewed focus on operational expertise and market agility, FlightSafety International has appointed Eric Hinson as its new chief executive officer. The announcement marks the return of a seasoned executive who not only previously held a senior role within the company but also brings a rare and invaluable perspective to the C-suite: that of an active, 5,000-hour ATP-rated pilot. Hinson succeeds the retiring Barbara Telek in a transition that appears to be less about a simple change of guard and more about a deliberate choice to install a leader uniquely equipped for what he himself calls a “transformative time for the business and the aviation industry.”

For an organization that stands as the world’s preeminent professional aviation training company, placing a former naval aviator at the helm is a powerful statement. It underscores a commitment to the core mission of safety and proficiency from a leader who has lived it in the cockpit. Hinson’s return after a decade-long tenure as President and CEO of competitor Simcom International is not just a homecoming; it’s the arrival of a strategist who has spent the last twelve years honing his skills in market expansion and corporate partnership, all while keeping his hand on the throttle.

The Return of the Pilot-Executive

Eric Hinson’s career is a tapestry woven from the distinct threads of military precision, corporate strategy, and hands-on aviation. His journey began as a naval aviator, flying tactical aircraft in training and operational squadrons—an experience that instills a deep, instinctual understanding of risk management and performance under pressure. This foundation is not merely a biographical footnote; it is central to the value proposition he offers FlightSafety, a company whose entire existence is predicated on preparing pilots for the complexities of modern flight.

After his military service, Hinson transitioned to the corporate world, holding senior leadership positions at aviation titans like Gulfstream and Honeywell before his first stint at FlightSafety as an executive vice president from 2009 to 2012. His departure to lead Simcom International in 2013 was a pivotal moment. There, he wasn’t just an executive; he was the architect of the company's evolution. His leadership at Simcom, a firm initially focused on the owner-flown market, was marked by a clear vision for growth and a willingness to make bold strategic plays. This combination of operational credibility and business acumen is a rare commodity in any industry, but particularly potent in the high-stakes world of aerospace.

His recent role as the 2023 Chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturer Association (GAMA) further cements his status as an industry statesman. During his chairmanship, Hinson was an outspoken advocate for a more collaborative and efficient regulatory environment, highlighting the challenges the FAA faced with providing “timely and effective guidance and oversight.” This experience gives him a panoramic view of the policy and regulatory headwinds that will shape the future of flight—insights that will be invaluable as he navigates FlightSafety through the coming years.

A Strategist Forged in a Competitive Market

If Hinson’s background as a pilot gives him credibility, his tenure as CEO of Simcom gives him a proven playbook for growth. He transformed Simcom from a niche player into a more formidable competitor by orchestrating two critical transactions. The first was the 2018 acquisition of Simcom by Directional Aviation, a move that provided new capital and strategic alignment. The second, and perhaps more telling, was the 2019 formation of a 50/50 joint venture with CAE, one of the largest players in the simulation and training market—and a direct competitor to FlightSafety.

Hinson recognized that to break into the lucrative larger-cabin market, Simcom needed a partner with deep OEM relationships and advanced technology. The partnership with CAE was a masterstroke, allowing Simcom to leverage CAE's strengths while maintaining its operational independence. This history demonstrates a leader who is not afraid to forge alliances, even with rivals, to achieve strategic objectives. It also shows a keen understanding of market segmentation and the necessity of adapting a company’s strategy to capture new opportunities.

His statement upon rejoining FlightSafety—that he will help “drive innovation, enhancing operational excellence, and delivering world-class safety experiences”—is more than just corporate rhetoric when viewed through this lens. It is the mission statement of a leader who has successfully expanded training capacity, integrated new simulator technologies, and navigated the complex dynamics of industry consolidation. His recent work expanding Simcom's Orlando facility in partnership with Space Florida underscores his continued focus on investing in the infrastructure needed to meet soaring global demand for pilot training.

Navigating an Industry at an Inflection Point

The aviation industry is currently grappling with a confluence of powerful forces. A persistent global pilot shortage is putting immense pressure on the training pipeline, demanding greater efficiency and capacity. Simultaneously, a wave of innovation in propulsion, automation, and sustainable aviation fuels is forcing a fundamental rethink of how pilots and technicians are trained. These opportunities are unfolding against a backdrop of a strained regulatory system, a point Hinson himself has been vocal about.

His appointment places him at the controls of FlightSafety at this critical inflection point. The company, with its 70-year history and the world's largest fleet of full-flight simulators, is a bedrock institution. However, legacy alone is no guarantee of future success. The challenge for Hinson will be to leverage FlightSafety’s formidable scale and reputation while infusing it with the agility and strategic creativity he demonstrated at Simcom.

His experience at GAMA, where he championed a balance between safety guardrails and the freedom to innovate, will be directly applicable. As new technologies like electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft move from concept to reality, the training methodologies will need to evolve in lockstep. Hinson’s deep engagement with these industry-wide issues positions him to ensure FlightSafety is not just a participant in this evolution, but a leader. He understands that the future of aviation safety depends on training programs that are as advanced and forward-looking as the aircraft they are designed to support. His leadership promises a proactive approach, steering the company to meet the challenges of tomorrow rather than simply reacting to the demands of today.