PilotEdge
PilotEdge, Inc. is a bootstrapped subscription service founded in 2010 that provides live, professionally staffed air traffic control for flight simulators (X-Plane, Prepar3D, FSX, MSFS) across ZLA and Western US coverage, serving student pilots, flight instructors, simulation enthusiasts, and educational aviation training programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersPompton Plains, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What PilotEdge does
PilotEdge, Inc. is a privately held, subscription-based flight simulation service founded in 2010 and headquartered in Pompton Plains, New Jersey (FO Keith Smith). It provides professional, live human air traffic control services to users of commercial flight simulators including X-Plane, Prepar3D, FSX, and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Coverage spans two areas — ZLA (Southern California, Los Angeles ARTCC) and a Western US footprint covering CA, OR, WA, ID, MT, WY, CO, NM, AZ, NV, UT and parts of TX — with controllers actively staffing the network 15 hours per day (8am–11pm Pacific). The platform is differentiated from free networks such as VATSIM and IVAO by paid, professional staffing, FAA Order 7110.65 procedural fidelity, integrated ATIS broadcasting on real-world frequencies (accessible via web, SMS, and a JSON API), automatic ATC audio recording with 90-day retention, and a public live flight tracker.
The product surface extends well beyond the core network service. PilotEdge packages a structured training curriculum — the CAT Ratings Program (11 progressive VFR levels) and I-Ratings Program (IFR, with progressive difficulty including TEC routes, SIDs, STARs, and instrument approaches) — plus recurring content such as SkyHigh Charters monthly IFR scenarios, regional Alphabet Challenges, Focus Fields daily airport pairs, free workshops, and cross-promoted Real World IFR/VFR video programs from PilotWorkshop. Supporting infrastructure includes the downloadable client software, the free PilotEdge Receiver desktop app, the PilotEdge Tracker, Audio Archives, and ATIS endpoints. Revenue is generated primarily through direct-to-consumer monthly and annual subscriptions (starting at $19.95/month) with a free 5-hour trial, supplemented by enterprise/commercial outreach via [email protected] for educational facilities and training organizations (e.g., Arizona State University's airline training course, ProFlight's Level 6 FTD integration, EAA and IMC Club proficiency programs). The company is bootstrapped, employs 1–10 people, and has no disclosed funding rounds.
PilotEdge firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PilotEdge
- Legal name
- PilotEdge, Inc.
- Website
- https://pilotedge.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- PilotEdge, Inc. is a bootstrapped subscription service founded in 2010 that provides live, professionally staffed air traffic control for flight simulators (X-Plane, Prepar3D, FSX, MSFS) across ZLA and Western US coverage, serving student pilots, flight instructors, simulation enthusiasts, and educational aviation training programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where PilotEdge is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pompton Plains
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
PilotEdge business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Subscription - Monthly: Recurring monthly subscription providing unlimited ATC services on the PilotEdge network. Monthly pricing starts at $19.95. Trial accounts have limited usage.
- Subscription - Annual: Annual subscription plan offering unlimited ATC services at a discounted rate compared to monthly billing. Available alongside monthly plans.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Trial |
| Subscription | Monthly | Paid Monthly Subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | Paid Annual Subscription |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
PilotEdge product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PilotEdge provides a subscription-based network service that delivers live, human-staffed air traffic control (ATC) for flight simulators (X-Plane, Prepar3D, FSX, MSFS). The service simulates realistic VHF/UHF radio communications, transponder interactions, ATIS broadcasts, and clearance procedures modeled on FAA Order 7110.65, and is delivered across two coverage areas (ZLA in Southern California and the broader Western US) with an integrated structured training curriculum (CAT and I-ratings).
Product overview
PilotEdge is a subscription-based flight simulation platform providing professional live air traffic control services for flight simulators. The core offering is the PilotEdge Network Service, which requires the PilotEdge Software client to connect. The platform offers structured training through two major rating programs: the CAT Ratings Program (VFR Communications and Airspace Training with 11 progressive levels) and the I-Ratings Program (IFR training with multiple difficulty levels). Additional training products include Training Workshops, SkyHigh Charters (monthly IFR scenarios), Alphabet Challenges (regional flight itineraries), Focus Fields Program (daily airport pairs), and the Real World IFR/VFR video series. Supporting infrastructure includes the PilotEdge Tracker for flight monitoring, Audio Archives for reviewing transmissions, PilotEdge ATIS System for weather information, and the free PilotEdge Receiver application for ATC monitoring. The platform operates in ZLA (Southern California) and Western US coverage areas, with pricing starting at $19.95/month.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PilotEdge Network Service Core subscription service providing live professional ATC for flight simulators; includes ZLA and Western US coverage, unlimited ATC services, and access to the structured training programs. Pricing starts at $19.95/month.
- CAT Ratings Program Structured VFR Communications and Airspace Training program consisting of 11 progressive scenarios (CAT-01 through CAT-11) covering non-towered operations through Class B airspace transitions, with formal evaluation and roster recognition for pilot subscribers.
- I-Ratings Program Structured IFR training program with progressive ratings (I-1 through I-11) teaching instrument flight procedures including TEC routes, SIDs, STARs, and instrument approaches, with formal evaluation and roster recognition.
- SkyHigh Charters Monthly IFR workout program where pilots fly multi-leg charter scenarios as a virtual Part 135 charter operator, with specific routes, approaches, and training objectives (requires I-11 rating prerequisite).
- Alphabet Challenges Structured flight itineraries where pilots fly sequential airport legs from A to Z within a defined region, available in ZLA, Western US, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon regions with progress tracking via PE Tracker.
- Real World IFR Video Series Video series covering real-world IFR flight scenarios and instrument procedures, used as supplemental training material for subscribers.
- Real World VFR Video Series Video series covering real-world VFR flight scenarios and visual flight procedures, used as supplemental training material for subscribers.
- PilotEdge Receiver Free desktop application for Windows and Mac that monitors multiple PilotEdge ATC positions in real time, allowing passive listening and aircraft tracking without requiring an active subscription.
- PilotEdge Workshops Live scenario-based VFR/IFR flight planning workshops and recorded training sessions covering topics such as IFR departures, DME arcs, and airspace operations; available free to the community.
Quantifiable outcome
- PilotEdge has been used for real-world pilot training and human factors research — ASU was the first university to integrate it into an airline training course.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use PilotEdge
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
PilotEdge technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
PilotEdge partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Arizona State University (ASU)coreArizona State University was the first university to integrate PilotEdge into an airline training course, announced April 17, 2015. This academic partnership represents a significant validation of PilotEdge as a serious aviation training tool beyond hobbyist use.
- TRU Simulation+TrainingminorPilotEdge was displayed at NBAA 2014 alongside TRU Simulation+Training hardware, demonstrating integration with professional-level flight training devices.
- PilotWorkshop (Real World VFR / Real World IFR)minorPilotEdge cross-promotes PilotWorkshop's Real World VFR, Real World IFR, Real World Coast to Coast, IFR Communication Manual, and VFR Communication Manual products with affiliate-style discount links (disc=3). These are premium video-based training programs that complement PilotEdge's ATC simulation.
- GoFlightminorDiscount available on GoFlight GF-ATC hardware module (a physical ATC radio panel for simulators) through a partnership promotion, announced July 17, 2012.
- EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association)corePilotEdge supported the EAA Pilot Proficiency Center at AirVenture 2015 in Oshkosh, providing ATC simulation as part of the proficiency center's training activities. Also partnered with IMC Club for the IFR Proficiency Center at Oshkosh in 2014.
- IMC ClubminorIMC Club partnered with PilotEdge for the IFR Proficiency Center at Oshkosh (EAA AirVenture 2014), integrating PilotEdge into structured instrument flight training activities.
- Royal Aeronautical SocietyminorPilotEdge presented at the Royal Aeronautical Society's conference, announced November 13, 2014.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves18 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PilotEdge competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- VATSIM: VATSIM is the largest free online ATC network for flight simulators, offering controller-staffed virtual ATC for FSX, Prepar3D, X-Plane, and MSFS. It directly competes with PilotEdge for pilot-training and sim-enthusiast users, differing in that VATSIM is volunteer-staffed and free while PilotEdge is professionally staffed and subscription-based.
- IVAO: IVAO is an international, free online ATC network for flight simulators with global coverage and structured training divisions. It serves the same pilot-training and flight-sim hobbyist segment as PilotEdge and competes for users who value procedural realism and rating systems, but offers volunteer-staffed ATC at no cost.
- POSCON: POSCON is an online ATC and flight simulation network serving the X-Plane, P3D, and MSFS user base, providing multiplayer infrastructure and ATC simulation. It overlaps directly with PilotEdge's core customer segment - serious flight sim enthusiasts who want procedural ATC - and competes in the same subscription-funded niche.
Broad incumbents
- CAE: CAE is the world's largest provider of commercial aviation training, including ATC simulation and full-motion simulators used by airlines and aviation authorities. While PilotEdge serves the home/educational segment of ATC simulation, CAE addresses the professional training market that PilotEdge's enterprise channel (universities, flight schools) is incrementally penetrating.
- Redbird Flight Simulations: Redbird builds FAA-approved flight training devices, motion simulators, and curriculum for flight schools and home users, integrating ATC simulation in selected products. PilotEdge's integration with ProFlight Level 6 FTD and structured rating programs sits in the same flight-training ecosystem, targeting instructors and prosumers seeking realistic procedural practice.
- FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International operates one of the largest networks of full-flight simulators and professional pilot training centers worldwide, serving airlines, governments, and corporate flight departments. It shares PilotEdge's underlying aviation training customer base (professional pilots, recurrent training), albeit at a vastly larger scale and higher price point.
- Frasca International: Frasca International manufactures FAA-approved flight training devices and simulators for flight schools, airlines, and military customers worldwide. Like PilotEdge, Frasca supports procedural flight training and integrates with ATC simulation, but focuses on professional-grade devices rather than consumer subscriptions.
- TRU Simulation+Training: TRU Simulation+Training (a Textron Aviation subsidiary) provides full-flight simulators, FTDs, and aviation training devices to commercial, military, and collegiate aviation customers. TRU displayed alongside PilotEdge at NBAA 2014, signaling overlap in target enterprise accounts (universities, FTD operators) and ATC simulation integration partnerships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PilotEdge social profiles
Digital presencePilotEdge financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PilotEdge leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
PilotEdge funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PilotEdge 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 PilotEdge
What does PilotEdge do?
PilotEdge provides a subscription-based network service that delivers live, human-staffed air traffic control (ATC) for flight simulators (X-Plane, Prepar3D, FSX, MSFS). The service simulates realistic VHF/UHF radio communications, transponder interactions, ATIS broadcasts, and clearance procedures modeled on FAA Order 7110.65, and is delivered across two coverage areas (ZLA in Southern California and the broader Western US) with an integrated structured training curriculum (CAT and I-ratings).
Is PilotEdge a public or private company?
PilotEdge is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was PilotEdge founded?
PilotEdge was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is PilotEdge based?
PilotEdge is headquartered in Pompton Plains, United States, in the North America region.
How does PilotEdge make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Subscription - Monthly is the primary driver. The others are subscription - Annual.
Who are PilotEdge's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are VATSIM, IVAO and POSCON. Broad incumbents are CAE, Redbird Flight Simulations, FlightSafety International, Frasca International and TRU Simulation+Training.
Does PilotEdge have an API?
Yes. PilotEdge provides a Machine-Readable Access API for ATIS (Automated Terminal Information Service) data. The API offers text-format and JSON-format ATIS retrieval for single airports or all airports combined. Additionally, there is a list endpoint showing which airports have D-ATIS support. The API endpoints include: single-airport plain-text (.txt), single-airport JSON (.json), consolidated all-airports JSON, and a dedicated airports list with D-ATIS status. Developer documentation is at www.pilotedge.net/atis/airports.json.