Skip to main content

FlightSafety Intl. to Build State-of-the-Art Facility at Houston Spaceport

Published Oct 28, 2019 by Melissa Fox

Flightsafety ellington

Aviation training company FlightSafety International (FSI), announced this month it will build a state-of-the-art learning center at the Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport. The 30-year land lease will make New York-based FSI the anchor tenant in the spaceport’s first phase of construction.

The center will be equipped with 12 flight simulators for a variety of aircraft. These simulators, along with other remote, unmanned systems training courses, will provide training for pilots, flight attendants and maintenance technicians. 

“This is a big win for the Houston Spaceport,” Ellington Airport and Spaceport General Manager Arturo Machuca said. “This reaffirms our vision of the Houston Spaceport becoming a center for aviation and aerospace training. The future is here, and Houston is leading the way.” 

The lease also includes potential expansion for four additional flight simulators and parking.

FSI will begin construction on the $16 million, 90,000-square-foot facility in the spring of 2020, with completion expected by the summer of 2021. The new facility will replace FSI’s existing Houston Learning Center at William P. Hobby Airport. FlightSafety told the Houston Business Journal an estimated 140 to 200 employees will work at the new center.

“Welcoming a great tenant like FlightSafety International is a key step forward as Houston works to develop one of the nation’s leading spaceports,” said Susan Davenport, senior vice president of economic development at the Greater Houston Partnership. “Houston has long been a ground-breaking hub of aerospace training, and this project continues that tradition. This new facility, and the Spaceport more broadly, will help propel the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals.”

Houston Spaceport celebrated the groundbreaking of Phase 1 at a ceremony on June 28. The estimated $18.8 million project will focus on streets, electrical power, maintenance lines, as well as distribution, fiber optics and communications facilities. The project will also include 53,000-square-feet of lab and office space.

The Houston Spaceport became the nation’s 10th commercial spaceport when the Federal Aviation Administration granted its license in 2015.

Register to attend the State of Airports event on December 10 and learn more about where Houston's world-renowned airport system is heading.

Learn more about innovation in Houston here.

Related News

Public Policy

Lawmakers Eye Texas High Schools for Workforce Solutions

3/19/25
Texas is a global powerhouse, and Houston is the welcoming committee for many companies looking to settle in the Lone Star State. The strength of our workforce is one key issue that continues to drive economic growth. Lawmakers are looking to increase the pool of homegrown talent through House Bill 120 (HB 120). This comprehensive reform bill will increase funding for career advising, strengthen programs that prepare graduating seniors for careers, and boost funding for facilities that expand career educational programs in public schools. The Partnership is supporting HB 120 this session. Here’s a look at the bill and key areas of interest in workforce development: High School Advising Program Establishes a program for districts and charter schools to provide college and career advising. Requires partnerships with institutions of higher education or workforce organizations. Limits advisors to a caseload of 200 students, prioritizing grades 11 and 12. Introduces a funding allotment of $50,000 per full-time equivalent advisor. Gradually reduces funding after five years unless districts meet performance benchmarks. Funding Changes for Career Programs Allows funding to support high school graduates for up to two years in postsecondary education or vocational training. Increases funding for students in P-TECH and New Tech Network schools from $50 to $150 per student. Provides additional funding for students enrolled in dual credit programs post-graduation. New Facilities Funding Expands definition to include facilities renovated for high-cost, undersubscribed career and technical education programs. Increases funding cap from $100 million to $150 million. Expands Eligibility for Rural Programs Allows districts to continue participation regardless of enrollment size. Expands retirement system eligibility for employees of coordinating entities. Modifies grant funding allocation and eligibility for performance agreements. Requires R-PEP partnerships to offer specific career pathways, including computer programming and skilled trades. Military Pathway Grant Program Establishes a grant program for school districts to implement JROTC programs. Requires districts to administer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test annually. Provides career counseling based on ASVAB results. Grants are set at $50,000 per district, with a total funding cap of $2 million annually. Because of the variety of programs and funding changes, lawmakers are proposing a phased-in approach to gradually implement these programs through 2027. Contingency funding will be included in the budget proposals that have yet to receive a floor vote in either chamber. Both HB 120 and the General Appropriations Act (Senate Bill 1) must pass for these reforms to be fully implemented. The Partnership is also supporting Senate Bill 1826 by Sen. Charles Schwertner, which is also designed to strengthen Career and Technical Education programs in Texas. For more updates and alerts on the Texas Legislature, click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.   
Read More
Economic Development

Abbott Names Water Infrastructure, Workforce Development Among Priorities in State of the State Address

2/3/25
Governor Greg Abbott named two of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Executive Priorities as emergency items for the Texas Legislature during his State of the State address Sunday. The governor said he wants lawmakers to immediately begin working on solutions to strengthen the workforce, improve the resilience of vital infrastructure, and make a Texas-sized investment in water security. The Partnership supports significant state investments in water infrastructure to ensure reliable supply, upgrade aging systems, and sustain economic growth amid rising demand. Workforce development is another key priority, advocating for stronger collaboration between education institutions and industry to create clear pathways to high-quality jobs. In a sweeping speech covering everything from the border to breaking ground on a Texas stock market, Gov. Abbott said lawmakers should deliver policy solutions that expand the "Texas Miracle." Education, water, and resiliency are key components of that vision. After the speech, Gov. Abbott released more details about the emergency items. To reach the goal of a "Texas-sized investment" for water, lawmakers must develop a solution to invest $1 billion every year for 10 years to address water supplies and repairs to existing infrastructure. By naming these issues as emergency items, lawmakers in the Texas House can debate legislation on the House Floor before the 60-day bill-filing rule. However, policy issues not designated as emergencies cannot be considered by members of the Texas House until after March 14. Last week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick outlined the first batch of priority bills expected to be filed in the coming days. Highlights from that list coincide with Abbott’s emergency items, including: $2.5 billion for water investment Improving the resiliency of vital infrastructure, specifically water and power Strengthening accountability measures in public education The Texas Senate is already reviewing at least one of the governor’s emergency items. Meanwhile, the Senate Finance Committee is making steady progress in hearing testimony from various state agencies about funding requests for the 2026-27 biennium.  Later this month, the Texas Education Agency is scheduled to testify in the Senate Finance Committee. That hearing will likely reveal more about funding for the governor’s emergency item related to “life-changing career training” in public schools. Sen. Charles Schwertner and Rep. Gary Gates, both representing districts within the Partnership’s footprint, are set to introduce legislation authorizing funding for programs related to welding, health care, and other industries where high school graduates can directly enter the workforce.  One final highlight from the State of the State address is the governor’s declaration to create a Texas Cyber Command. The governor stated this new agency will strengthen the state’s resilience against cyberattacks. This command will train and recruit to protect infrastructure from digital warfare and criminal actors.   Click here to read the governor’s complete State of the State address.
Read More

Related Events

Workforce Development

UpSkill Works: Understanding AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, but how does it really work, and why is it such a game-changer—especially in workforce development? This session, featuring experts from Accenture and Google,…

Learn More
Learn More
Executive Partners