PilotAware
PilotAware, founded 2015 in Coventry UK, designs and sells electronic conspicuity hardware (FX devices, ATOM ground stations) and supporting software for general aviation pilots, airfields, and UAV operators, using a proprietary P3i ISM-band protocol plus an annual software license subscription model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersCoventry, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PilotAware does
PilotAware is a UK-based private company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Coventry, England, that designs and sells electronic conspicuity (EC) systems for general aviation. Its flagship product, the PilotAware FX device, receives and transmits on multiple protocols including the company's proprietary P3i protocol (operating on the 869.525 MHz ETSI ISM band), ADS-B, ADS-L, Mode-S, Mode-C, and FLARM, and can be deployed as a portable unit or permanently installed in certified aircraft. The technology stack is reinforced by the ATOM GRID, a community-deployed network of more than 200 ground stations that rebroadcast FLARM traffic, perform Mode-S/3D multilateration via a partnership with 360 RADAR Ltd, and uplink METAR weather data to equipped aircraft; the network is anchored by PilotAware's P3i protocol and iGRID connectivity service. PilotAware complements the hardware with analytics tools (VECTOR and Playback) that visualize aircraft EC footprint performance using aggregated ground-station data.
The business model combines one-time hardware sales with a mandatory annual software license subscription required for FX operation and network access, complemented by a trade-in upgrade program and partner-channel discounts (notably a 10% Air Courtage aviation-insurance cross-discount announced at Aeros 2025). Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the PilotAware online store, supported by an authorized distributor network, trade-show presence (Aeros Friedrichshafen), and a community forum. The primary customer segments are individual GA pilots, airfields and gliding clubs operating ATOM ground stations, and UAV/drone operators using ATOM GRID data for BVLOS risk assessments. Regulatory progress includes EASA CS-STAN CS-SC057a approval for permanent installation in EU-certified aircraft, EASA's 2019 Safety Award to its OGN partner, and a recent push to integrate the new ADS-L (O-Band) European specification. The company is privately held and bootstrapped, with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or management team roster beyond named operational contacts.
PilotAware firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PilotAware
- Legal name
- PilotAware Limited
- Website
- https://pilotaware.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- PilotAware, founded 2015 in Coventry UK, designs and sells electronic conspicuity hardware (FX devices, ATOM ground stations) and supporting software for general aviation pilots, airfields, and UAV operators, using a proprietary P3i ISM-band protocol plus an annual software license subscription model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PilotAware industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aviation Safety Electronics
- 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
- Surveillance & Identification Avionics (ADS-B/Transponders/TCAS) (IMABAFAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK)
Keywords
Where PilotAware is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Coventry
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
PilotAware business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of FX electronic conspicuity devices as portable or permanently installed units for general aviation aircraft. Includes internal and external antenna kits, power cables, and integration accessories
- Software Licensing: Annual software license (1-year term) required for device operation. License activates device functionality and provides access to iGRID services, firmware updates, and PilotAware network connectivity. Renewable via pilotaware.lode.co.uk/subs/
- Trade-In Program: Trade-in program allowing customers to exchange old PilotAware devices for discount on new FX devices, with refreshed hardware and improved performance
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Annual | FX Device with Annual License |
| Subscription | Annual | Air Courtage Insurance Discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Trade-In Upgrade Program |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
PilotAware product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PilotAware designs and sells the FX electronic conspicuity device, an airborne hardware unit that integrates a 1090 MHz ADS-B receiver with the proprietary P3i transmitter on the 869.525 MHz ISM band to provide real-time traffic awareness for general aviation aircraft and drones. The FX is supported by the ATOM ground station network, which rebroadcasts FLARM traffic (up to 100km), delivers METAR weather data, and uses Mode-S/3D multilateration to plot Mode-S aircraft, all accessible through an annual software license subscription and the iGRID connectivity service.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PilotAware FX Primary electronic conspicuity device for general aviation aircraft and drones. Provides real-time traffic awareness by receiving and transmitting on multiple protocols (PilotAware/P3i, ADS-B, ADS-L, Mode-S, Mode-C, FLARM) at 869.525 MHz ISM band and 1090 MHz. Features WiFi hotspot for EFB connectivity and RS232 for glass cockpit integration, and supports both portable and permanent installations with internal or external antennas.
- ATOM Ground Station Ground-based transceiver installed at airfields to extend network coverage. Receives FLARM transmissions up to 100km, calculates Mode-S/3D positions via multilateration from 360 RADAR data, and broadcasts traffic information plus METAR weather data to PilotAware-equipped aircraft up to 50km line-of-sight range.
- PilotAware Software License Annual software license (one year term, renewable) required for PilotAware FX operation. License key format: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx. Provides access to software updates, PilotAware network services, P3i protocol functionality, and connectivity to the ATOM GRID network.
Quantifiable outcome
- 119,946 traffic contacts observed for single aircraft in 45-day period across 72 contributing ground stations
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PilotAware
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PilotAware technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration16 records
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
PilotAware partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Air Courtage AssurancesflagshipAnnounced at Aeros 2025 (Friedrichshafen), PilotAware and Air Courtage Assurances partnered to make aviation safer and insurance cheaper. Mutual 10% discount program: Air Courtage policyholders get 10% off PilotAware devices, and existing PilotAware subscribers get 10% off Air Courtage aviation insurance. Contact Neil Watts at +447966 137491 for discount applications.
- FLARMcoreFLARM and PilotAware cooperate to enhance aircraft safety through interoperable solutions. PilotAware FX integrates with FLARM installations via RJ12/RJ45 connection, providing combined FLARM in/out and PilotAware in/out capability. FLARM transmissions (868.6 MHz, 25mW, encrypted) are detected by ATOM stations up to 100km away, decrypted using OGN decryption algorithm, and rebroadcast as P3i packets to PilotAware aircraft. This provides both close-in FLARM tactical awareness and long-range PilotAware strategic awareness.
- 360 RADAR Ltdcore360 RADAR Ltd provides Mode-S/3D multilateration data used by PilotAware ATOM stations. Mode-S/3D is a technique unique to PilotAware that rebroadcasts the location of Mode-S traffic using multilateration of position. Using precise timing methods, locations of Mode-S equipped aircraft are calculated and sent to ATOM stations for broadcast to PilotAware aircraft. This is provided as a best effort service and does not meet any aviation standard.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PilotAware competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- FLARM Technology: Swiss-made electronic conspicuity system dominant in European gliding and soaring. Directly comparable to PilotAware as both provide airborne EC devices for GA, with PilotAware explicitly integrating and cooperating with FLARM via OGN.
- uAvionix: US-based manufacturer of ADS-B and Mode S transponders, EC receivers, and ground stations for both manned and unmanned aviation. Closest direct competitor in the multi-protocol EC device category, with overlapping product set including skyEcho, tailBeacon, and pingStation.
- Air Avionics: German manufacturer of EC devices including AT-1 traffic sensor for GA aircraft. Comparable niche competitor serving European GA pilots with multi-protocol conspicuity devices similar to PilotAware FX.
Broad incumbents
- Dynon Avionics: US manufacturer of glass cockpit avionics (SkyView HDX) for experimental and certified aircraft. Comparable as a glass cockpit integration partner and competitor for the integrated pilot avionics stack.
- ForeFlight: Leading EFB platform for GA pilots. Comparable as PilotAware FX integrates directly with ForeFlight to display traffic, making it an indirect ecosystem partner/competitor at the pilot interface layer.
- SkyDemon: Popular European EFB application for VFR pilots. Directly comparable as PilotAware FX integrates via WiFi/RS232 to display PilotAware, ADS-B, and FLARM traffic on SkyDemon's moving map.
- Garmin: Global avionics giant producing ADS-B transponders (GTX series), traffic systems, and integrated flight decks. Broad incumbent whose PilotAware FX integrates with via Garmin Pilot app and whose traffic products compete for the same pilot wallet share.
- Trig Avionics: UK-based manufacturer of Mode-S transponders (TT21/TT22) and avionics. Comparable as a transponder/EC hardware supplier for GA, with PilotAware FX integrating with Trig transponders via RS232 for ADS-B out capability.
Emerging players
- Sagetech Avionics: Manufacturer of ADS-B transponders for UAV/drone integration into manned airspace. Comparable emerging player focused on the drone side of the same problem PilotAware addresses from the GA side.
Others
- 360 RADAR Ltd: UK-based provider of Mode-S multilateration data feeds. Currently a data supplier to PilotAware ATOM stations for Mode-S/3D positioning, but operates adjacent network infrastructure that could compete or complement.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PilotAware social profiles
Digital presencePilotAware compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
PilotAware financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PilotAware leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
PilotAware funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PilotAware M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PilotAware
What does PilotAware do?
PilotAware designs and sells the FX electronic conspicuity device, an airborne hardware unit that integrates a 1090 MHz ADS-B receiver with the proprietary P3i transmitter on the 869.525 MHz ISM band to provide real-time traffic awareness for general aviation aircraft and drones. The FX is supported by the ATOM ground station network, which rebroadcasts FLARM traffic (up to 100km), delivers METAR weather data, and uses Mode-S/3D multilateration to plot Mode-S aircraft, all accessible through an annual software license subscription and the iGRID connectivity service.
Is PilotAware a public or private company?
PilotAware is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was PilotAware founded?
PilotAware was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is PilotAware based?
PilotAware is headquartered in Coventry, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does PilotAware make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licensing and trade-In Program.
Who are PilotAware's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are FLARM Technology, uAvionix and Air Avionics. Broad incumbents are Dynon Avionics, ForeFlight, SkyDemon, Garmin and Trig Avionics. Sagetech Avionics is listed as an emerging player. 360 RADAR Ltd is listed as an others.
Does PilotAware have an API?
No public API is recorded for PilotAware.
What industry is PilotAware in?
PilotAware's product category is Aviation Safety Electronics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAM, Surveillance & Identification Avionics (ADS-B/Transponders/TCAS), with a secondary code of IMABAFAK, Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.