TFDi Design
TFDi Design develops Boeing-licensed aircraft add-ons (MD-11, 717), the smartCARS Pro virtual airline flight tracking platform, PACX passenger simulation, and bundled web hosting under Florida-based Invernyx, Inc., serving flight simulation enthusiasts and virtual airline operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersTampa, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What TFDi Design does
TFDi Design operates the flight simulation software business of Invernyx, Inc., a Florida corporation founded in 2009 and headquartered in Wesley Chapel, FL. The company develops add-on aircraft and supporting tools for the Microsoft Flight Simulator (2024/2020) and Lockheed Martin Prepar3D/FSX ecosystems. Its flagship products are Boeing-licensed aircraft add-ons — most notably the MD-11 for MSFS — alongside a legacy Boeing 717 for FSX/P3D. The Boeing licenses provide a defensible position in the airliner segment, where the company has accumulated a multi-year reputation recognized by a 2017 Best Support award from FSElite and a 2025 Best Airliner nomination at the Flight Sim Awards.
The product portfolio extends well beyond aircraft. TFDi builds smartCARS Pro, a subscription virtual airline flight tracking / ACARS-like platform starting at $3.99/month, with a free Community Edition and REST API integrations into third-party virtual airline management systems (notably phpVMS via a custom-acquired module). PACX provides passenger and crew simulation; web hosting and SSL certificates are bundled infrastructure services. The flagship commercial offering is the VA Package, which combines smartCARS Pro, hosting, and phpVMS into a single subscription bundle aimed at virtual airline operators. Distribution is community-driven: a Discord presence, forum engagement, and a formalized Virtual Airline Partner Program replace traditional B2B sales motions.
The business model mixes one-time aircraft purchases ($26.99–$74.99) with low-ARPU subscriptions ($3.99–$9.99/month) and ancillary infrastructure sales. The company is privately held, operates with 1–10 employees, and discloses no funding rounds. Customer concentration appears low and distributed across hobbyist consumers and a long tail of small virtual airlines, with no named enterprise contracts in evidence.
TFDi Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TFDi Design
- Legal name
- Invernyx, Inc.
- Website
- https://tfdidesign.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- TFDi Design develops Boeing-licensed aircraft add-ons (MD-11, 717), the smartCARS Pro virtual airline flight tracking platform, PACX passenger simulation, and bundled web hosting under Florida-based Invernyx, Inc., serving flight simulation enthusiasts and virtual airline operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where TFDi Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tampa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
TFDi Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- smartCARS Pro Subscription: Monthly subscription at $3.99 providing enhanced flight tracking with airline-independent PIREP backups, integrated flight recovery, and theme options.
- smartCARS Community Subscription: Monthly subscription at $6.99 for virtual airlines providing flight tracking software for pilots with no additional cost to community members.
- MD-11 Aircraft License: One-time purchase of $74.99 for either Passenger or Freighter base pack, with add-ons for Extended Simulation ($4.99) and Alternative Version ($9.99).
- 717 Aircraft License: One-time purchase of $26.99 for the TFDi Design 717 addon for Microsoft Flight Simulator X and Lockheed Prepar3D.
- PACX License: One-time purchase of $29.99 for Passenger and Crew Experience simulation software.
- Web Hosting Services: Standard Hosting at $6.00/month and Plus Hosting at $9.00/month for virtual airlines with automated backups, cPanel management, and phpVMS installation support.
- VA Package Bundled Subscription: Bundled package at $9.99/month including smartCARS Community, Standard Hosting, phpVMS 7 installation, and free smartCARS Pro subscription (40% discount vs. individual products).
- SSL Certificates: Domain validation and wildcard SSL certificates from RapidSSL, GeoTrust, and DigiCert with automated provisioning and deployment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | smartCARS Pro - Enhanced flight tracking subscription |
| Subscription | Monthly | smartCARS Community - Virtual airline flight tracking |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | MD-11 Passenger Base Package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | MD-11 Freighter Base Package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | MD-11 Extended Simulation Package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | MD-11 Alternative Version |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | TFDi Design 717 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | PACX - Passenger and Crew Experience |
| Subscription | Monthly | Standard Web Hosting |
| Subscription | Monthly | Plus Web Hosting |
| Subscription | Monthly | VA Package Bundle |
| Subscription | Annual | RapidSSL Basic SSL |
| Subscription | Annual | RapidSSL Wildcard SSL |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
TFDi Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TFDi Design develops and sells flight simulation software for Microsoft Flight Simulator, Prepar3D, and X-Plane platforms. The portfolio includes Boeing-officially-licensed aircraft add-ons (MD-11, 717), the smartCARS flight tracking platform for pilots and virtual airlines, the PACX passenger and crew experience module, and managed web hosting services tailored to virtual airline operators.
Product overview
TFDi Design offers a portfolio of flight simulation software and services. The core product line includes the MD-11 add-on aircraft (Boeing Officially Licensed) and smartCARS flight tracking platforms. smartCARS comes in two tiers: smartCARS Pro (pilot-focused subscription) and smartCARS Community (virtual airline-focused). Additional products include the legacy TFDi Design 717 aircraft, PACX passenger and crew experience add-on, web hosting services (Standard and Plus tiers), and a bundled VA Package combining hosting, smartCARS Community, phpVMS 7, and smartCARS Pro. The company also provides a REST API for smartCARS 3 integration with virtual airline management systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- TFDi Design MD-11
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 160 failure scenarios for MD-11 extended simulation training
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use TFDi Design
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
TFDi Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature7 records
TFDi Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- HuesminorHues is a business partner founded by a team of passionate creators and developers dedicated to bringing life, depth, and color to virtual skies through premium liveries, textures, and immersive visual design for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Listed on the partners page.
- Virtual Airline PartnerscoreTFDi Design officially recommends curated virtual airline partners to both new pilots and veteran pilots looking to expand their experience. Partners must demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and good working relationship with TFDi Design and the community. Partner members receive benefits including discounts and potential early access.
- Flight Simulation AssociationminorUsers of the Flight Simulation Association website are redirected to TFDi Design's partners page, providing referral traffic and cross-promotion for virtual airline partners.
- smartCARS CentralcoresmartCARS Central provides integration with phpVMS 5 and phpVMS 7 virtual airline management systems. Also supports other web systems via REST API specification.
- InvernyxcoreInvernyx, Inc. is the parent company and legal entity operating under the TFDi Design brand. Provides infrastructure, hosting services, and corporate operations.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
TFDi Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- FlightFactor: FlightFactor develops payware airliner add-ons (A320, 757, 777) for P3D and X-Plane, overlapping directly with TFDi Design's commercial airliner focus and pricing structure.
- Orbx: Orbx is a major publisher of payware scenery, airports, and aircraft for MSFS and P3D, sharing TFDi Design's e-commerce-led, enthusiast-focused GTM and product cadence.
- FlyByWire Simulations: FlyByWire builds high-fidelity community-led aircraft (notably the A320neo for MSFS) and demonstrates an alternative freemium/community model that competes with TFDi Design's paid Boeing-licensed products.
- Just Flight: Just Flight develops and publishes payware aircraft and scenery add-ons for MSFS, P3D, and X-Plane, competing head-to-head with TFDi Design in the enthusiast payware airliner and GA markets.
- iniBuilds: iniBuilds is an active developer of premium MSFS and P3D airliner and GA add-ons, releasing new Boeing/Airbus titles that compete with TFDi Design's MD-11 and 717 for enthusiast wallet share.
- PMDG: PMDG is a long-established developer of high-fidelity payware aircraft add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator and Prepar3D, directly competing with TFDi Design in the same airliner/enthusiast segment at similar premium price points.
- Aerosoft: Aerosoft publishes flight simulation add-ons, airports, and tooling across MSFS, P3D, and X-Plane and operates its own Vertiqa storefront, making it a direct retail and development peer to TFDi Design's e-commerce and add-on model.
- QualityWings Simulations: QualityWings produces high-end payware airliner simulations (757, 146) for P3D and MSFS, making it a direct comp to TFDi Design in the high-fidelity Boeing-family enthusiast category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TFDi Design social profiles
Digital presenceTFDi Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TFDi Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
TFDi Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TFDi Design 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 TFDi Design
What does TFDi Design do?
TFDi Design develops and sells flight simulation software for Microsoft Flight Simulator, Prepar3D, and X-Plane platforms. The portfolio includes Boeing-officially-licensed aircraft add-ons (MD-11, 717), the smartCARS flight tracking platform for pilots and virtual airlines, the PACX passenger and crew experience module, and managed web hosting services tailored to virtual airline operators.
Is TFDi Design a public or private company?
TFDi Design is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was TFDi Design founded?
TFDi Design was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is TFDi Design based?
TFDi Design is headquartered in Tampa, United States, in the North America region.
How does TFDi Design make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. smartCARS Pro Subscription is the primary driver. The others are smartCARS Community Subscription, MD-11 Aircraft License, 717 Aircraft License, PACX License, web Hosting Services, VA Package Bundled Subscription and SSL Certificates.
Who are TFDi Design's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are FlightFactor, Orbx, FlyByWire Simulations, Just Flight, iniBuilds, PMDG, Aerosoft and QualityWings Simulations.
Does TFDi Design have an API?
Yes. smartCARS 3 includes a REST API for integrating with virtual airline management systems. The API uses Bearer token authentication and is available for phpVMS 5 and phpVMS 7 platforms. TFDi Design also provides cloud storage for client-related assets (installer, logos, etc.), plugins, and feature-specific data storage. The API documentation and repositories are available on GitHub (github.com/invernyx/smartcars-3-public-api, github.com/invernyx/smartcars-3-phpvms5-api, github.com/invernyx/smartcars-3-phpvms7-api). Developer documentation is at github.com/invernyx/smartcars-3-public-api/blob/development/README.md.