What RealSimGear does

RealSimGear Inc. is a San Diego-based designer and manufacturer of high-fidelity flight simulation hardware and software, founded in 2018. The company produces FAA-approved Basic Aviation Training Devices (BATD) and Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATD) that replicate avionics and cockpit controls for four aircraft families — Cirrus (SR Series and Vision Jet SF50), Diamond (DA40 NG), Cessna, and Piper. Its product architecture combines proprietary avionics emulation software (Perspective+, G1000 Suite, G5, NXi, G500) with aircraft-specific physical controls including force-feedback yokes, side sticks, and throttle quadrants, integrating with X-Plane 11/12 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020/2024.

The company monetizes through four streams: one-time hardware sales (ranging from $2,699 for the YokeTop desktop package to $75,785 for the SFx Pro full-cockpit AATD), one-time software licenses (Perspective+ bundle at $1,694), annual Jeppesen navigation data subscriptions ($1,495 personal / $2,495 business), and warranty/support services. RealSimGear operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce for individual pilots with an enterprise sales team and dedicated Cirrus Training Center partnership specialists serving flight schools and defense customers including the US Air Force. Cirrus-approved Training Centers also function as certified resellers and demo locations.

The company has completed 31,542+ simulator deliveries to customers in 116 countries, with 59 training centers using its systems as recurring professional training infrastructure, and 30+ Cirrus Training Centers leveraging the Jeppesen chart integration. Founder Jarrod Barker serves as founder and CEO; no external funding rounds, institutional investors, or acquisitions are disclosed in the available data.

Name

RealSimGear

Legal name

RealSimGear Inc.

Website

https://realsimgear.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RealSimGear designs and manufactures FAA-approved BATD and AATD flight simulation hardware and software for Cirrus, Diamond, Cessna, and Piper aircraft, serving individual pilots, flight training centers, and defense customers across 116 countries with over 31,500 deliveries since 2018.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Training Simulators

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Racing & Flight Simulation Hardware (Wheels, Pedals, HOTAS) (HDACANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN), Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK)

Keywords

• Flight simulation hardware
• Aviation training devices
• FAA approved simulators
• Avionics replication systems
• Home flight simulators

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: One-time sales of flight simulator packages (Home, Desktop, Pro configurations) and individual components (avionics, flight controls, accessories). Prices range from $2,699 for yoke-top packages to $75,785 for full professional simulators.
2. Software Licenses: Sales of standalone software products including Perspective+ software bundles ($1,694), G500 avionics suite ($49.95), and G5 software. Software is sold as one-time licenses or included with hardware purchases.
3. Jeppesen Navigation Data Subscriptions: Annual subscriptions for Jeppesen worldwide charts and navigation data: $1,495/year for personal use and $2,495/year for business use. Auto-renews annually.
4. Warranty and Support Services: One-year limited warranty on hardware products. Extended warranty and premium support subscription options available for additional coverage including proactive maintenance and priority response.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

RealSimGear designs and manufactures FAA-approved flight simulation avionics, cockpit hardware, and proprietary avionics emulation software that replicate the avionics, controls, and flight characteristics of Cirrus, Diamond, Cessna, and Piper aircraft. The company sells full-cockpit Home simulators (BATD-eligible) and professional Pro simulators (AATD-eligible), individual avionics components such as the G1000 Suite, GNS430/530, GTN650, G5 PFD/HSI, GFC500 autopilot, and GMA350 audio panel, plus Perspective+/G500/G5/NXi/Gauges software and annual Jeppesen navigation data subscriptions. Products integrate with X-Plane 11/12 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020/2024 and enable loggable instrument, type-rating, and recurrent training.

Product overview

RealSimGear offers a platform-plus-modules product architecture centered on flight simulation hardware and software that replicates real-world avionics. The core portfolio includes FAA-approved AATD and BATD flight training devices across four aircraft platforms: Cirrus (SRx, SR7x, SFx series), Diamond (DAx series), Cessna, and Piper. These range from compact desktop systems ($2,699 YokeTop) to professional full-cockpit simulators ($75,785 SFx Pro). Individual avionics components (G1000 Suite, GNS530, GTN650, G5, autopilots, audio panels) and Cirrus/Diamond/Cessna-specific flight controls (side sticks, throttle quadrants, yokes) can be purchased separately or as bundled packages. Software offerings include Perspective+ avionics emulation, G500/G5 avionics suites, and Jeppesen navigation data subscriptions ($1,495-$2,495/year). Enterprise custom solutions and Cirrus Training Center partnerships provide professional installation and ongoing support services. All products integrate with X-Plane 11/12 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020/2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SRx Home Package

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 10 hours toward instrument rating can be logged using BATD-approved systems.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Jeppesen (a Garmin company)coreTechnology or IntegrationJeppesen provides worldwide electronic charts and navigation data formatted for RealSimGear simulator systems. Integration offers coverage of over 7,000 airports with geo-referenced approach plates and automatic database updates every two weeks. Available in personal ($1,495/year) and business ($2,495/year) subscription tiers.
• Cirrus AircraftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial approved provider for Cirrus training programs. RealSimGear delivers FAA-approved simulation systems aligned with Cirrus Approach courses, supporting standardized training workflows across Cirrus Training Centers. Partnership covers all Cirrus platforms from legacy SR models to current G7+ and Vision Jet.
• Cirrus ApproachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated training center support through Cirrus Approach certification program, ensuring RealSimGear systems meet Cirrus training standards and support consistent, high-quality training outcomes.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Precision Flight Controls: Designs and manufactures high-fidelity flight simulation hardware and avionics replicas (yokes, rudders, radio/GPS stacks) for general aviation trainers. Directly comparable product set, customer base, and price range to RealSimGear.
• Brunner Elektronik (CLS - Canadair Lineage Simulation): Produces high-fidelity airliner-style flight simulators and professional training devices for airlines and training organizations. Comparable in the professional AATD/FFS training-device segment, with overlap in force-feedback controls and avionics simulation.
• FlyThisSim: Sells FAA-approved BATD/AATD simulators and avionics touchscreen simulators for general aviation. Direct competitor in the home and training-center flight simulator market with overlapping aircraft platform coverage.
• Redbird Flight Simulations (Sporty's Pilot Shop): Provides FAA-approved flight training devices and full-motion simulators for flight schools and private pilots. Overlapping customer base (CFIs, flight schools, individual pilots) and similar BATD/AATD product positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Frasca International: Long-established manufacturer of full-flight simulators, flight training devices, and AATDs for general aviation, airlines, and military customers. A broader incumbent with deeper institutional/airline penetration but overlapping BATD/AATD product category.
• TRU Simulation + Training (Textron Aviation): Textron-owned simulator manufacturer producing full-flight simulators and training devices across commercial, military, and general aviation. A broad incumbent with significantly greater scale and capital resources than RealSimGear.
• CAE: Global aviation training leader producing full-flight simulators and operating pilot training centers worldwide. A broad incumbent with substantially larger R&D, manufacturing, and installed base than RealSimGear.

Emerging players

• TDS Simulations (TDS GTNXi): Develops Garmin GTN-series avionics simulation software for X-Plane and Microsoft Flight Simulator. A complementary rather than purely overlapping player, but actively recommended by RealSimGear for its GTN hardware integrations.
• Honeycomb Aeronautical: Designs and sells consumer-grade flight simulation hardware (yokes, throttle quadrants, rudder pedals) used alongside RealSimGear panels. Partial overlap — complementary ecosystem partner rather than direct simulator competitor.
• VirtualFly: Manufactures mid-range flight simulation hardware and avionics modules for general aviation training. Comparable price tier and customer base, with a European regional footprint overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/realsimgear
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_loVuShl9TiB6RWGYuUZ6A
• Facebookfacebook.com/realsimgear
• Instagraminstagram.com/realsimgear
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/realsimgear

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 RealSimGear