Orbx Simulation Systems Pty. Ltd

What Orbx Simulation Systems Pty. Ltd does

Orbx Simulation Systems Pty. Ltd is an Australian privately held company, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Toowong, operating the Orbx Direct (orbxdirect.com) digital marketplace for flight simulation add-ons. The company develops and publishes high-detail 3D airport scenery, photorealistic terrain, orthophoto-based ground environments, and related utilities, while also distributing content from a network of over 100 third-party partner studios covering Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 and 2024), X-Plane 11/12, FSX/Prepar3D, Aerofly FS 2, Tower! Simulator 3, and Digital Combat Simulator.

The core technology stack centers on physically-based rendering (PBR) materials, custom orthophoto imagery, gITF model formats, custom terrain mesh, animated ground elements (jetways, vehicles, passengers), and dynamic/HDR lighting for night environments. Orbx Central, a required download and installation manager available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, is the distribution backbone and serves as the integration point through which both proprietary and partner products are installed and updated. Proprietary sub-brands include FTX Global, TrueEarth, and Orbx Libraries.

The revenue model is a one-time perpetual digital license sold directly to consumers through the Orbx Direct storefront, priced in AUD with multi-currency support (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD). Individual products range from freeware demos to premium add-ons in the $5-$40+ AUD band, with bundles and promotional sales (e.g., the Mid-Year Sale with 30-40% discounts) used as demand levers. The primary customer segment is individual flight simulation enthusiasts globally, with aviation training organizations identified as a secondary, non-primary segment. The company is led by CEO Anna Cicognani, Chairman Mike Hill, and CXO Thomas Chapman.

Name

Orbx Simulation Systems Pty. Ltd

Legal name

Orbx Simulation Systems Pty. Ltd

Website

https://orbxdirect.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Orbx Simulation Systems Pty. Ltd develops and distributes high-detail flight simulation scenery and add-ons through its Orbx Direct marketplace, serving global flight simulation hobbyists and, secondarily, aviation training organizations across multiple simulator platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Simulation Software

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

XR/AR/VR/MR Development Frameworks & Toolchains (MPAFAFAF)

Keywords

• Flight simulation add-ons
• Flight sim scenery
• Digital distribution platform
• Flight simulator software
• Aviation simulation content

Headquarters

HQ city

Toowong

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Digital Product Sales: One-time purchase model for flight simulation add-on products including airports, terrain, aircraft, and utilities. Products are sold as perpetual digital licenses with no subscription required. Revenue generated from direct sales through orbxdirect.com platform and partner sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Orbx develops, publishes, and distributes high-quality flight simulation scenery add-ons (airports, terrain, aircraft, and utilities) for major flight simulators including Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS 2020/2024), X-Plane 11/12, FSX/Prepar3D, Aerofly FS 2, Tower! Simulator 3, and Digital Combat Simulator (DCS). The company operates the orbxdirect.com digital marketplace that distributes both proprietary Orbx-branded products and content from 100+ partner development studios worldwide.

Product overview

Orbx Simulation Systems Pty. Ltd operates the Orbx Direct (orbxdirect.com) storefront and distribution platform for flight simulation add-ons. The company distributes a broad ecosystem of products spanning Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024), X-Plane 11/12, FSX/PPrepar3D, Aerofly FS 2, Tower! Simulator 3, and Digital Combat Simulator (DCS). The core infrastructure is anchored by Orbx Central (a required download/installation manager available on Windows, macOS, and Linux) and the Orbx Direct storefront. The product portfolio includes proprietary Orbx-branded scenery (FTX Global, TrueEarth series, region packs) alongside an extensive network of over 100 partner studios whose products are distributed through Orbx Direct. Notable partner product lines include Northern Sky Studio (Hawaii and Alaska airports for MSFS and X-Plane 12), NetDesign (Canadian and Algerian airports for MSFS/MSFS 2024), MXI Design (European, Turkish, and Middle Eastern airports for MSFS and X-Plane), and MSK Productions (Asian and Middle Eastern airports for MSFS). The ecosystem also encompasses freeware demos (AU Tasmania, Global Iceland, NA Pacific Northwest, TrueEarth GB South Demo), Volanta (a flight tracker for all major simulators), and product bundles. Orbx Central is required for all product downloads and installations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OrbxDirect: The company's primary e-commerce platform for selling flight simulation products
• Orbx Central
• Orbx Libraries
• FTX Global
• TrueEarth
• Volanta
• Orbs

Products and services

• Orbx Central A required download and installation manager for all Orbx products. Runs on Windows 7+, macOS, and Linux and provides product management across the Orbx catalog.
• Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) Scenery Add-ons Airport, region, aircraft, and utility add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator, sold by Orbx and partner studios across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, and other regions. Includes MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 compatibility.
• FSX / Prepar3D Scenery Add-ons Scenery products for legacy platforms including FSX and Prepar3D, covering Aircraft, Europe, Global Range, North America, and Oceania regions.
• X-Plane Scenery Add-ons Airport and regional scenery for X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12, covering Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania regions.
• Aerofly FS 2 Add-ons Scenery products for Aerofly FS 2, covering European and North American regions.
• Tower! Simulator 3 Add-ons Scenery and utility products for Tower! Simulator 3, covering Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and Utilities categories.
• Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) Products Scenery and mission add-ons for DCS, including Kola and other region packs.
• Volanta Flight Tracker An easy-to-use smart flight tracker that integrates flight data across all major flight simulators. Distributed and promoted by Orbx on its storefront as a complementary product.
• Orbx Bundles Curated product bundles offering discounts on multiple related add-ons, such as the Sydney and Brisbane Airport Bundle XP12, Ultimate 2024 Compatible Aussie Pack, California Airstrip Bundle, and Jurassic World Archipelago bundles.
• Partner Scenery Ecosystem Over 100 partner studios contribute products to the Orbx Direct storefront, including Northern Sky Studio (Hawaii/Alaska airports), NetDesign (Canadian/Algerian airports), MXI Design (European/Turkish/Middle Eastern airports), MSK Productions (Asian/Middle Eastern airports), FlyTampa, Carenado, Aerosoft, and many others, spanning airports, aircraft, sound packs, and utilities across all major simulators.
• Freeware Flight Simulation Demos Free downloadable demo scenery including AU Tasmania Demo (FSX/P3D), Global Iceland Demo (FSX/P3D), NA Pacific Northwest Demo (FSX/P3D), and TrueEarth Great Britain South Demo (X-Plane 11). Customers can explore regions and experience Orbx quality before purchasing.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Northern Sky StudiocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner studio specializing in detailed airport sceneries for Hawaii and Alaska regions. Creates high-quality airport add-ons for both Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane platforms with focus on realistic representations of regional airports.
• NetDesigncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner creating airport and terrain sceneries primarily for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Develops detailed airports including international locations like Algiers, Canadian airfields, and various regional airports worldwide.
• MXI DesigncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner studio developing sceneries for X-Plane 11 and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Creates high quality realistic airports across Europe, Middle East, and other regions with detailed modeling and PBR textures.
• MSK ProductionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner development group creating projects for Microsoft Flight Simulator since 2010. Specializes in international airports in Asia and Middle East including Mumbai, Karachi, Sharjah, and Langkawi.
• AerosoftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEstablished flight simulation publisher and distributor offering airports and aircraft add-ons.
• CarenadocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeveloper of aircraft add-ons for flight simulators.
• FlyTampacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeveloper specializing in detailed airport sceneries including major international airports.
• A2A SimulationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAircraft development studio known for historically accurate military aircraft add-ons.
• FeelThereminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional airport and aircraft developer.
• VolantacoreTechnology or IntegrationSmart flight tracker application that integrates flight data across all major simulators. Orbx promotes Volanta on their platform.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FlyTampa: Specialist developer of high-fidelity airport sceneries for major international airports across MSFS and X-Plane. Already distributed via OrbxDirect, FlyTampa also self-distributes, making it a direct content competitor in the same airport-scenery vertical.
• Just Flight: UK-based flight simulation publisher with a broad catalog of aircraft and airports across MSFS, X-Plane, and P3D. Directly comparable as a multi-platform scenery and aircraft publisher serving the same enthusiast segment.
• Aerosoft: Long-established flight simulation publisher and distributor offering airports, aircraft, and scenery add-ons across MSFS, X-Plane, and P3D. Already an Orbx partner, Aerosoft competes in the same product categories and runs a parallel direct storefront, making it the closest comparable.
• PMDG: Premium developer of high-fidelity airliner simulations for MSFS and P3D. Operates as a self-distributed specialist publisher in the same flight simulation content market Orbx serves, with overlapping customer base.
• Flightbeam Studios: Developer of high-quality US and international airport sceneries for MSFS and X-Plane. Listed as an Orbx partner and a direct competitor in airport scenery publishing.
• Carenado: Developer of aircraft add-ons for flight simulators with a long catalog of GA and airliner models. Already an Orbx partner, Carenado competes head-to-head on aircraft products while also distributing direct.
• A2A Simulations: Aircraft development studio known for historically accurate military and general aviation aircraft add-ons. An Orbx partner that also self-distributes, making it a direct competitor in the aircraft content category.
• Miltech Simulations: Developer of military-grade aircraft and scenery for DCS and MSFS. Listed as an Orbx partner and an emerging specialist competitor in the military simulation sub-segment.
• Drzewiecki Design: Developer of detailed airports and scenery for MSFS and X-Plane, listed among Orbx's 100+ partner studios. A direct comparable in airport scenery development and self-distribution.

Emerging players

• iniBuilds: Fast-growing flight simulation publisher offering airports, aircraft, and the iniManager installation tool across MSFS and X-Plane. Increasingly competing with Orbx both as a content publisher and via its own management platform, posing a structural threat to Orbx Central's install-layer position.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/orbxsystems
• Facebookfacebook.com/orbxsystems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Orbx Simulation Systems Pty. Ltd