International Virtual Aviation Organisation

What International Virtual Aviation Organisation does

The International Virtual Aviation Organisation (IVAO) is a Belgian non-profit (IVAO VZW) founded in 1998 that operates a free online multiplayer network for flight simulation enthusiasts, connecting virtual pilots with virtual air traffic controllers in real time across global divisions. The core technology platform is the IVAO Network (IVAN), accessed via three in-house developed software clients: Aurora (ATC client), Altitude (pilot client), and Artifice (multi-simulator connector), supported by ancillary services including the ATC Scheduling System (ATCSS), Whazzup live data feed, Webeye, Heartbeat monitoring, Multiplayer Traffic Library, and a developer API. The organization also maintains structured training programs with ratings progression, world tours, and special operations events. IVAO's community exceeds 260,000 members across multiple continents, with division-level operations spanning Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. All services are provided free of charge; the organization is funded through voluntary donations and merchandise sales, with infrastructure and sponsorship support from partners including KEYVAN Aviation, PMDG, FlyByWire, AeroSoft, and OpenProject.

Name

International Virtual Aviation Organisation

Legal name

IVAO VZW

Website

https://ivao.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The International Virtual Aviation Organisation (IVAO) is a Belgian non-profit founded in 1998 that operates a free global multiplayer network connecting 260,000+ virtual pilots and air traffic controllers through proprietary software clients, serving flight simulation enthusiasts worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Galmaarden

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Free Platform Services: All core services including network access, training, software, and community features are provided completely free of charge. The organization is structured as a non-profit (IVAO VZW) and relies on donations and merchandise sales for operational costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IVAO provides a free, online multiplayer flight simulation network (IVAN) that connects virtual pilots and air traffic controllers worldwide in real time. Members use IVAO's proprietary software clients (Altitude for pilots, Aurora for controllers, and Artifice as a connector) to participate in realistic aviation scenarios, complete training programs with ratings progression, and engage with a global community of aviation enthusiasts.

Product overview

IVAO is a free, non-profit flight simulation network providing an 'as real as it gets' virtual aviation environment. The core offering consists of the IVAN network infrastructure connected via three proprietary software clients: Aurora (ATC controller client), Altitude (pilot client), and Artifice (connector/bridge software). Supporting this platform are add-on modules including ATC Scheduling System, Webeye, Heartbeat monitoring, Oceanic Control Center, World Tours, Special Operations, Multiplayer Traffic Library, and Virtual Sky blog. All services are provided free of charge and funded through donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Altitude: Pilot client software for connecting to the IVAO network, supporting all current flight simulation platforms.
• Aurora
• Artifice
• Virtual Sky

Products and services

• Altitude (Pilot Client) IVAO's pilot client software for connecting to the IVAO network as a virtual pilot. Supports all current flight simulation platforms with realistic web-based flight plan submission and ongoing feature development.
• Aurora (ATC Client) IVAO's ATC (Air Traffic Control) client software for controllers to provide virtual air traffic control services on the network. First in-house ATC client developed in many years, allowing customization for realistic ATC experiences.
• Artifice (Connector Client) Connector software allowing users to connect multiple flight simulator software to a single IVAO connection for the most realistic air traffic control experience.
• IVAN (International Virtual Aviation Network) The core multiplayer network infrastructure connecting pilots and ATC controllers worldwide for flight simulation. Provides the platform for online flight simulation activities.
• ATC Scheduling System (ATCSS) Web-based system for scheduling ATC control positions at specific locations and timeframes. Features API access, light/dark mode, and mobile-responsive design.
• World Tours Structured tour programs allowing pilots to fly predetermined routes and earn recognition. Includes special themed tours like the Iron Maiden World Tour.
• Special Operations Specialized flight operations including military flights, aerial refueling, formation flying, and humanitarian missions. Includes Special Operations Groups (SOGs) with enhanced privileges.
• Multiplayer Traffic Library (MTL) Next-generation traffic library providing realistic multiplayer aircraft traffic in flight simulators with enhanced animations, lighting, and textures. Available for MSFS 2020, X-Plane, and Prepar3D.
• Webeye Publicly accessible website for viewing real-time network activity including connected pilots and ATC controllers, their flight plans, and network status.
• Heartbeat Network monitoring service tracking server status and connectivity across IVAO's global server infrastructure.
• OCC (Oceanic Control Center) Resource website for oceanic FIRs (Flight Information Regions) including Shanwick, Gander, Santa Maria, and NY Oceanic areas. Provides pilot and controller procedures for oceanic operations.
• Virtual Sky IVAO's official blog and content platform featuring articles about the community, events, partner announcements, and member spotlights.

Quantifiable outcome

• Aurora ATC client holds 96.6% of ATC connections; Altitude pilot client holds 95.4% of pilot connections

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• KEYVAN AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Strategic partnership with KEYVAN Aviation, a global leader in aeronautical data solutions. The partnership aims to bridge the gap between simulation and reality by integrating KEYVAN's aeronautical data into IVAO's virtual aviation environment to enhance realism.
• PMDG (Precision Manuals Design Group)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership to celebrate PMDG Boeing 777-300ER release. IVAO hosted the first launch event for the aircraft and collaborated on promotional activities with PMDG Simulations.
• FlyByWirecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration with FlyByWire, an open-source development organization known for high-quality freeware aircraft including the Airbus A320neo enhancement for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
• AeroSoftminorOthersSponsor of IVAO network. AeroSoft provides sponsorship support to the organization.
• German Aviation Training (GAT)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTim Hittinger founded German Aviation Training, offering radiotelephony training and ICAO language proficiency exams. GAT provides 15% discount to IVAO members using code 'IVAO15GAT' and has created an Iron Maiden World Tour on IVAO.
• OpenProjectminorOthersSponsored by OpenProject, an open-source project management platform used by IVAO for internal staff collaboration and project management.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• SimBrief: The de facto standard flight planning tool for flight simulation enthusiasts, integrated into many virtual airline workflows alongside IVAO. Serves the same pilot user base with complementary (rather than competing) functionality.
• FSEconomy: An online flight simulation economy game where pilots fly IVAO-style routes to build virtual careers. Shares the same hobbyist pilot audience and represents an adjacent gamification layer to IVAO's network.
• FSElite: A leading flight simulation news and community publication. While not a direct competitor, FSElite reaches the same enthusiast audience and represents both a content partner opportunity and an indirect community/engagement benchmark for IVAO.
• German Aviation Training (GAT): An existing IVAO partner offering real radiotelephony training and ICAO language proficiency exams with discounts to IVAO members. Represents a model for how IVAO's network can be leveraged for paid, certified aviation training services.

Emerging players

• PilotEdge: A subscription-based virtual ATC network focused on real-world pilot training and proficiency, rather than pure hobbyist simulation. Overlaps with IVAO's ATC training value proposition but serves a more professional aviation segment.

Broad incumbents

• X-Plane (Laminar Research): A major commercial flight simulator platform fully supported by IVAO's clients. Represents a critical alternative ecosystem alongside MSFS that IVAO must maintain compatibility with.
• Microsoft Flight Simulator: The dominant flight simulation platform that IVAO's users connect to via the Altitude and Artifice clients. IVAO's MTL traffic library and overall network value proposition depend on continued investment in MSFS by Microsoft.
• Prepar3D (Lockheed Martin): Professional-grade flight simulation platform used for training, also supported by IVAO's traffic library and clients. Represents a higher-end commercial segment that overlaps with IVAO's aspiring professional pilot user base.

Direct peers

• VATSIM: The primary direct competitor to IVAO, VATSIM operates a virtually identical free, volunteer-run multiplayer flight simulation network connecting pilots and virtual air traffic controllers globally. Both organizations compete for the same hobbyist base with similar software clients, training programs, and division structures.
• POSCON: A smaller direct competitor offering multiplayer flight simulation connectivity, though more commercial in nature than IVAO's non-profit model. Targets the same enthusiast pilot and ATC community.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ivaoaero
• Facebookfacebook.com/ivaoaero

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 International Virtual Aviation Organisation