FlightSafety Receives FAA Approval for Citation Ascend Full-Flight Simulator

The new simulator will be installed at the company's Tampa Learning Center to support pilot training for the business jet.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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FlightSafety International has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the world's first Level D full-flight simulator for the Citation Ascend business jet. The simulator, which will be installed at FlightSafety's Tampa Learning Center, replicates the Citation Ascend cockpit and flight characteristics and is designed to support initial, recurrent, and advanced pilot training as the aircraft enters service.

Why it matters

The approval of the Citation Ascend full-flight simulator represents FlightSafety's commitment to anticipating industry needs and scaling training capacity as new aircraft models are introduced. The high-fidelity, ultra-realistic training provided by the simulator will help ensure Citation Ascend pilots and operators are well-prepared to fly the aircraft safely and effectively.

The details

The Level D full-flight simulator incorporates FlightSafety's VITAL 1150 image generator, designed to deliver rapid environment updates for responsive visual scene rendering. The device integrates the Garmin G5000 avionics suite with Garmin Autothrottle functionality and models the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines. The simulator also features 60-inch electric motion and steep-approach capability to support specialized operational training.

  • The Citation Ascend simulator is scheduled to begin pilot training in February 2026.
  • FlightSafety received FAA approval for the simulator in February 2026.

The players

FlightSafety International Inc.

A leading provider of aviation training equipment and services, including full-flight simulators and other training devices.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing all aspects of civil aviation, including the certification of flight simulators.

Citation Ascend

A business jet manufactured by Textron Aviation, featuring advanced avionics and improved performance compared to earlier Citation models.

Garmin G5000

An integrated avionics suite that includes high-resolution displays, flight management systems, and other advanced technologies.

Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D

The engines that power the Citation Ascend, offering increased thrust and improved fuel efficiency.

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What they’re saying

“The Citation Ascend simulator represents FSI's commitment to anticipating industry needs and scaling training capacity as fleets grow.”

— Ben Carter, Executive Vice President of Learning Center Operations, FlightSafety International

What’s next

Pilot training on the new Citation Ascend full-flight simulator is scheduled to begin in February 2026 at FlightSafety's Tampa Learning Center.

The takeaway

The approval of the world's first Level D full-flight simulator for the Citation Ascend business jet demonstrates FlightSafety's leadership in providing high-fidelity training solutions to support the introduction of new aircraft models and ensure pilots are well-prepared to operate them safely and effectively.