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By Richard Burnett, Orlando Sentinel
.1:05 pm, March 23, 2014
During World War II more than 70 years ago, Priscilla “Pat” Getchell became one of the U.S. Navy’s first female flight-simulation instructors.
This week, the Lake County aviation pioneer will be among the first members of the National Center for Simulation’s Modeling & Simulation Hall of Fame at the Orange County Convention Center.
Getchell, 92, will be inducted Wednesday along with four other inductees with Central Florida connections:
•John Hitt, president of the University of Central Florida and longtime advocate for the simulation industry.
•Lou Frey, an Orlando lawyer, simulation industry consultant and former congressman.
•Vince Amico, a flight simulation pioneer with the Navy’s Orlando training systems agency.
•Al Marshall, a pioneering engineer for the Navy in Orlando and inventor of MILES simulators (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System).
Other inductees include Ed Link, inventor of the Link Trainer in 1929 and known as the “father of flight simulation technology”; Adm. Luis de Florez, founder of the Navy’s flight simulator program during World War II and namesake of the Navy’s training complex at Central Florida Research Park; Richard C. Dehmel, creator of the earliest math formulas for flight simulation; retired U.S. Army Gen. Paul Gorman, originator of the Army’s modern simulation training program; and retired Air Force Gen. John P. Jumper, the chief of staff who founded the Air Force’s modern policy on using flight simulation.
“This is such a great initiative — and one that was a long time coming,” said Hank Okraski, co-founder of the Orlando-based National Center for Simulation and author of the 2013 book “The Wonderful World of Simulation.”
“This will allow everyone to see the pioneers who made a real difference in our industry and the nation’s armed forces through the years.”
Sub warfare deal
Alion Science & Technology Corp.’s Orlando unit won a $24 million Navy contract to produce a network of anti-submarine tactical warfare training systems for the Navy’s training systems division in Orlando.
Terms call for Alion to develop a seamless network of computer-based trainers that simulate submarine attacks and cyber-warfare at sea, according to the Defense Department.
The deal runs through October 2019. Alion Science & Technology is based in Burr Ridge, Ill.
Startup awards
Orlando-based tech startup ShoFlo LLC landed the “best in show” recognition this month at the quarterly VenturePitch Orlando networking event.
The company took the audience and judges’ awards for best pitch and most investment-ready firm — only the fourth time a single company has taken both honors.
ShoFlo develops software for the production of live entertainment events. Co-founder Stephen Bowles made the VenturePitch presentation. ShoFlo was also part of the 2013 inaugural class of Starter Studio, an Orlando startup mentoring program sponsored by Envy Labs LLC.
