FreeFlight Systems

What FreeFlight Systems does

FreeFlight Systems designs, manufactures, and certifies avionics for navigation, surveillance, and communication across commercial, rotorcraft, military, business aviation, cargo, and emerging urban air mobility platforms. Founded in 2001 and operating as a subsidiary of Acron Technologies, the company is headquartered in Irving, Texas with manufacturing operations in Waco, Texas and a European sales/support office in West Drayton, United Kingdom. Its product portfolio centers on three certified hardware lines: the TERRAIN SERIES of 5G-tolerant radar altimeters (RA-4500 MK II for rotorcraft, RA-5500 for fixed-wing/Part 27, RA-6500 for Part 29/business jets) using proprietary digital signal processing and C-band filtering; the RANGR-IQ Dual-Band ADS-B receivers with TCAS II hybrid surveillance integration; and the 1203C GNSS/SBAS receivers with Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) and spoofing recovery. Supporting products include SELCAL decoders (JetCall 5, JetCall 2, military RJ-2) and the VMAT ground vehicle ADS-B system for airport surface tracking. All products carry FAA TSO, DO-178, and DO-160 certifications and are designed for retrofit installation with minimal wiring and antenna changes.

The company's revenue model is hardware sales of certified avionics equipment distributed primarily through a global authorized dealer network supplemented by direct OEM engagement and MRO partner relationships. Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs)—either obtained directly or via partners such as AeroMech's ODA—unlock access to specific retrofit platforms including Boeing 737 Classic, MD-80/DC-9, Bell 407, Airbus H125/AS350, and AML STC coverage being developed with Collins Aerospace for Textron and Hawker business aircraft. Customers include commercial airlines, helicopter operators (EMS, law enforcement, SAR), military transport programs, business jet fleets, and training academies, with named accounts spanning Nova Systems, Leading Edge Flight Academy, Air Dallas Instruments, and AMI Aviation Services. The strategic positioning emphasizes compliance with 5G C-band interference requirements and ADS-B mandates, with distribution leverage from the broader Acron Technologies portfolio that collectively reaches over 10,000 customers in 120+ countries.

Name

FreeFlight Systems

Legal name

FreeFlight Systems

Website

https://freeflightsystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

FreeFlight Systems manufactures certified avionics—5G-tolerant radar altimeters, dual-band ADS-B receivers, GNSS/SBAS receivers, and SELCAL decoders—for commercial aviation, rotorcraft, military, and business jet operators worldwide, sold through authorized dealers and OEM partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Avionics

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Surveillance & Identification Avionics (ADS-B/Transponders/TCAS) (IMABAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Communication Systems (VHF/UHF/SATCOM/Data Link) (IMABAFAG), Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK), Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)

Keywords

• Avionics manufacturing
• Radar altimeter systems
• ADS-B receivers
• GNSS navigation receivers
• Aviation safety equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Irving

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Avionics Hardware Sales: Sale of certified avionics equipment including radar altimeters, ADS-B receivers, GNSS/SBAS receivers, and SELCAL decoders. Products are sold through authorized dealers and directly to operators with various STC approvals for different aircraft platforms.
2. Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs): Company obtains and sells STC approvals for installation of their products on specific aircraft types, enabling retrofit market access. Examples include STCs for Boeing 737 Classic, MD-80/DC-9, Bell 407, and Airbus H125.
3. Dealer Network Sales: Products distributed through a global network of authorized dealers who provide installation, technical support, and customer service. Dealers serve as the primary channel for sales inquiries and installation partnerships.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FreeFlight Systems designs, manufactures, and certifies FAA/EASA avionics hardware for navigation, surveillance, and communication on commercial, rotorcraft, military, business, and urban air mobility aircraft. The portfolio includes 5G-tolerant TERRAIN SERIES radar altimeters, RANGR-IQ Dual-Band ADS-B receivers, the 1203C GNSS/SBAS receiver with spoofing recovery, JetCall SELCAL decoders, and the VMAT airport ground-vehicle ADS-B system, delivered with a broad portfolio of Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for retrofit installation.

Product overview

FreeFlight Systems delivers a comprehensive portfolio of advanced safety-enhancing COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) and custom-engineered surveillance and navigation solutions for all aviation platforms. The product line centers on three core technology categories: TERRAIN SERIES 5G-tolerant radar altimeters (RA-4500 MK II, RA-5500, RA-6500) providing precise AGL readings; RANGR-IQ Dual-Band ADS-B solutions integrating TCAS II, traffic, and weather data; and 1203C GNSS/SBAS receivers with spoofing recovery. Supporting products include SELCAL decoders (JetCall 5, JetCall 2, RJ-2) for efficient cockpit communications, and VMAT 1.0 for airport ground vehicle tracking. All products are designed for retrofit readiness, minimal installation impact, and compliance with evolving airspace mandates including 5G C-band interference resilience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RANGR-IQ: ADS-B solutions product line including Dual-Band ADS-B with TCAS II integration
• TERRAIN SERIES
• JetCall
• VMAT

Products and services

• TERRAIN SERIES Radar Altimeters 5G-tolerant radar altimeter family using proprietary digital signal processing (DSP) and C-band filtering to deliver precise above-ground-level altitude measurements in 5G-dense environments. Models cover rotorcraft (RA-4500 MK II), fixed-wing/Part 27 (RA-5500, TSO-C87a, 25 Hz refresh), and Part 29/Business Jets (RA-6500, DO-160G, dual-install, ARINC 552A legacy support). Retrofits use existing antennas and cabling to minimize installation impact.
• RANGR-IQ ADS-B Solutions Dual-band ADS-B receivers delivering real-time ADS-B In with integrated TCAS II traffic and weather data. Supports both 1090 MHz and 978 MHz frequency bands for comprehensive situational awareness, with TIS-B, FIS-B weather, NOTAMs, and TFRs. Multi-interface design (RS-485/422, RS-232, ARINC 429) supports legacy system integration.
• 1203C GNSS/SBAS Receiver High-performance 15-channel GPS engine with SBAS support delivering precision navigation across all flight phases. Features Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM), spoofing recovery, and support for multiple SBAS systems including KASS and SouthPAN. Certified to TSO-C145c and DO-178B Level C; military-grade 1203C-200J variant provides 100,000+ hour MTBF for mission reliability.
• SELCAL Decoders (JetCall and RJ series) Selective Calling decoders that eliminate the need for constant radio surveillance by alerting crews to incoming ground-to-air calls. Includes JetCall 5 (5-channel, thumbwheel-coded, 43,680 code letter combinations, TSO-C59 and DO-160A/F), JetCall 2 (2-channel, compact ≤3.2 lbs), and RJ-2 (military-grade to MIL-STD-810E/454N/461C with MIL type D connectors).
• VMAT (Vehicle Movement Area Tracking) Aviation-certified ground vehicle ADS-B system for real-time tracking of airport ground vehicles, designed to enhance situational awareness and reduce runway incursions. VMAT 1.0 provides rugged construction, hot-start capability, 10-40 VDC low power draw, external kick plate tested at speeds over 80 mph, and integration with ASDE-X and MLAT systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Radar altimeters are responsible for 55 essential functions within aircraft avionics
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AMI Aviation Services (AeroMech)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 May 2025AeroMech Incorporated's FAA STC ODA issued STC approval for installation of FreeFlight Systems' TERRAIN Series Radar Altimeters on MD-80 and DC-9 aircraft. AMI Aviation Services is a Part 145 repair station providing kits and comprehensive installation services.
• Collins AerospacecoreTechnology or Integration · 24 April 2025Integration of FreeFlight's Dual-Band ADS-B solution with Collins Aerospace's Pro Line 21 avionics system. Collaboration includes development of AML STCs for Part 23 and Part 25 aircraft enabling seamless connectivity with IFIS-5000 and popular EFB apps. Collins Aerospace is an RTX business.
• BHE & Associates, LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 April 2025Partner in development of AML STCs for Part 23 and Part 25 aircraft integrating FreeFlight's Dual-Band ADS-B with Collins Pro Line 21 systems.
• ASG (Aeronaves TSM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2025Partnership between FreeFlight Systems, ASG, and Aeronaves TSM resulted in STC certification for 5G Tolerant RA-6500 Radar Altimeter System installation on Boeing 737-300/-400/-500 series aircraft. ASG developed and sells FAA PMA Approved Installation Adapter Racks for plug-and-play installations.
• Air Dallas InstrumentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 October 2024Strategic alliance enabling installation of FreeFlight's 5G tolerant radar altimeters (RA-5500) on King Air aircraft. Air Dallas Instruments, established in 1977, is an authorized dealer providing testing, repairs, overhauls, exchanges, sales and avionics installations.
• Nova SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 February 2024Nova Systems selected FreeFlight Systems' Dual-Band ADS-B Receiver as part of an upgrade program for their customers providing more efficient decision-making systems during flight. Nova Systems is a leader in modernization efforts for aircraft used for SAR programs.
• Universal AvionicscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for advanced ADS-B integration for Universal's Connected FMS and InSight Flight Deck systems. FreeFlight's RANGR-IQ ADS-B provides traffic and weather data integration with Universal Avionics systems.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Garmin: Garmin is a leading avionics manufacturer offering ADS-B, transponders, GPS navigators, radar altimeters, and integrated flight decks across general aviation, business aviation, and rotorcraft — directly competing with FreeFlight's component-level product lines while also serving as a much larger incumbent.
• Collins Aerospace: Collins Aerospace (an RTX business) manufactures integrated avionics suites including the Pro Line 21 platform that FreeFlight integrates with. It is both a strategic partner and a broad incumbent competitor across ADS-B, transponders, and integrated flight decks in commercial and business aviation.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell produces a wide range of avionics including radar altimeters, transponders, ADS-B solutions, and integrated flight management systems — competing with FreeFlight across commercial, business, and military aviation segments as a broad incumbent with deep OEM relationships.
• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris provides military and commercial avionics including ADS-B, transponders, and surveillance systems; its product portfolio overlaps with FreeFlight's military and certified avionics offerings across both fixed-wing and rotorcraft markets.
• Thales Group: Thales manufactures avionics, radar altimeters, transponders, and surveillance solutions for commercial and military aircraft, competing with FreeFlight on certified altimetry and navigation products particularly in European and defense markets.
• Saab Avionics: Saab produces surveillance, IFF, and avionics systems for military and civil aviation markets; overlaps with FreeFlight in certified avionics for rotorcraft, defense platforms, and safety-critical navigation/surveillance applications.

Direct peers

• Universal Avionics: Universal Avionics offers FMS, cockpit displays, and ADS-B solutions integrated with FreeFlight's RANGR-IQ. The two firms partner on the inSight Flight Deck but also overlap in ADS-B, navigation receivers, and retrofit avionics for business and rotorcraft platforms.
• Avidyne Corporation: Avidyne provides ADS-B, transponders, and integrated avionics for general aviation and light turbine markets — a direct competitor in retrofit ADS-B and safety-critical avionics, particularly for Part 23 aircraft.
• BendixKing (Honeywell): BendixKing, a Honeywell brand, focuses on general aviation and Part 23/25 retrofit avionics including ADS-B Out/In solutions, transponders, and radios — competing directly with FreeFlight in the legacy fleet upgrade and ADS-B mandate-driven retrofit market.

Emerging players

• Appareo (Airbus): Appareo, now part of Airbus, provides ADS-B and flight data monitoring solutions targeting general aviation and rotorcraft markets — an emerging player with partial overlap to FreeFlight's ADS-B retrofit and UAM-adjacent offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/freeflightsys
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freeflight-systems
• Facebookfacebook.com/freeflightsystems

Compliance15 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FreeFlight Systems