FLARM Technology Ltd

What FLARM Technology Ltd does

FLARM Technology Ltd is a privately held Swiss aviation technology company founded in 2004 by three pilot-engineers — Urs Rothacher, Andrea Schlapbach, and Urban Mäder — in response to mid-air collisions in European gliding. The company designs, manufactures, and licenses a GPS-based predictive collision warning system used in general aviation aircraft and unmanned aerial systems. Its core technology continuously measures an aircraft's position and heading via a built-in GPS receiver, derives a predicted flight path, and broadcasts that path via digital radio once per second; nearby FLARM-equipped devices compare trajectories and alert the pilot only when an actual conflict exists within an 18-second lookahead window. The product portfolio spans PowerFLARM devices for manned aircraft (Fusion for certified installation, Flex and Portable for transferable use, Core as an OEM module) and drone-specific products (Aurora and Atom UAV) with Remote ID compliance under ASTM F3411-19 and EN 4709-002.

The business combines one-time hardware sales through authorized dealers and Part-145/Part-M maintenance organizations with recurring software and data revenue: perpetual feature licenses (antenna diversity, IGC flight recording, noise level detection, audio output, Garmin TIS), annual obstacle database subscriptions covering regions such as the Alps, Europe, Norway, and Slovenia, and EASA Minor Change Approval documentation packages for installation in certified aircraft up to 5,700 kg MTOM. Distribution is split between a channel-led model for installed products and a direct-to-consumer webshop (shop.flarm.com) for licenses, databases, and accessories; an OEM/licensing program (Atom System-on-Chip, PowerFLARM OEM Module, libFLARM, FAMP public protocol) extends reach into third-party avionics. The company is founder-controlled, has no disclosed external funding, and reports an installed base exceeding 85,000 manned aircraft (over 50% of European GA) and 20,000+ drones across 50+ countries. The customer base is a long tail of individual pilots, flight schools, and a growing set of commercial drone operators and UTM integrators (notably Droniq), with no significant enterprise revenue concentration.

Name

FLARM Technology Ltd

Legal name

FLARM Technology AG

Website

https://flarm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FLARM Technology Ltd designs and sells GPS-based predictive collision warning systems for general aviation aircraft and drones, serving more than 85,000 manned aircraft and 20,000+ drones across 50+ countries through a mix of hardware sales, recurring obstacle database subscriptions, and OEM licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Collision Avoidance Systems

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 industry

PRIMARYIMABAFAM

Surveillance & Identification Avionics (ADS-B/Transponders/TCAS)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Avionics, Navigation & Flight Control Systems

SECONDARYIMABAFAK

Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Avionics, Navigation & Flight Control Systems

Keywords

• Aircraft collision avoidance
• General aviation avionics
• Drone detect-and-avoid
• Electronic conspicuity
• Obstacle warning databases

Headquarters

HQ city

Cham

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of FLARM collision avoidance devices including PowerFLARM Fusion (installed box for certified aircraft), PowerFLARM Portable (portable device with integrated display), PowerFLARM Core (OEM module), and drone-specific products like Atom UAV and Aurora. PowerFLARM Fusion requires installation by approved maintenance organizations.
2. Feature Licenses: Software licenses for optional PowerFLARM features including RFB (antenna diversity), IGC (flight recording), ENL (noise level detection), AUD (audio output), and TIS (Garmin TIS protocol). License files are bound to specific devices.
3. Obstacle Database Licenses: Annual licenses for obstacle databases covering various regions (Alps, Europe, Norway, Slovenia, etc.). Databases must be renewed yearly and are tied to specific device serial numbers.
4. EASA Minor Change Approval: EASA MCA documentation and approval for certified aircraft installation, available for aircraft up to 5,700 kg MTOM.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FLARM designs, manufactures, and licenses a proprietary GPS- and radio-based collision warning system for general aviation aircraft, rotorcraft, gliders, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Its PowerFLARM hardware family (Fusion, Flex, Core, Portable) and drone products (Aurora, Atom UAV) detect nearby FLARM-, ADS-B-, and transponder-equipped aircraft, predict collision trajectories up to 18 seconds ahead, and alert pilots only when actual conflict is detected. The company also sells annual obstacle databases, optional software feature licenses, OEM modules, and the FLARM Hub configuration platform, supported by EASA Minor Change Approval packages for certified aircraft installations.

Product overview

FLARM Technology Ltd provides a comprehensive collision avoidance ecosystem for general aviation and drones. The product portfolio centers on PowerFLARM devices (Fusion, Flex, Core, Portable) for manned aircraft, offering different form factors for permanent installation or portable use. For drones, FLARM offers Atom UAV and Aurora products with Remote ID compliance. The ecosystem includes OEM modules (Atom System-on-Chip, PowerFLARM OEM) for manufacturer integration, developer tools (libFLARM, FLARM FAMP Protocol), and complementary services (obstacle databases, ADS-L electronic conspicuity). All Wi-Fi-enabled devices are managed via FLARM Hub web interface and mobile app. The company was founded in 2004 by three Swiss pilots/engineers following glider mid-air collisions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PowerFLARM: Line of collision avoidance devices for general aviation aircraft including Fusion (panel-mounted), Portable (handheld), and Core modules
• FLARM Hub
• Atom UAV
• Aurora
• libFLARM

Products and services

• PowerFLARM Fusion Remote-mounted collision avoidance device designed for installation in EASA-type-certified aircraft via EASA Minor Change Approval, with built-in GPS, ADS-B/SSR receiver, FLARM radio, and Wi-Fi for web-based FLARM Hub configuration.
• PowerFLARM Flex Portable collision avoidance system with built-in display, internal batteries, and integrated GPS/ADS-B/SSR receivers for pilots flying multiple aircraft who need a transferable solution.
• PowerFLARM Portable Self-contained portable collision avoidance device with integrated display and internal antennas, designed for pilots who fly different aircraft and need a transferable, non-installed solution.
• PowerFLARM Core / PowerFLARM OEM Module OEM module platform providing core FLARM collision avoidance functionality, available with optional feature licenses (RFB antenna diversity, IGC flight recording, ENL noise detection, AUD audio output, TIS Garmin protocol), offered to avionics manufacturers under license.
• Aurora Compact FLARM transceiver designed for UAVs, with GPS, FLARM radio on 868/915 MHz, Wi-Fi for FLARM Hub configuration, SMA-RP antenna connector, Remote ID compliance per ASTM F3411-19 / EN 4709-002, and power via USB-C or JST GH connector.
• Atom UAV FLARM transceiver module designed for direct integration by UAV manufacturers, providing collision avoidance and Remote ID capabilities for unmanned aircraft systems.
• Atom System-on-Chip System-on-Chip solution that delivers complete FLARM collision avoidance and Remote ID functionality in a minimal form factor for manufacturers embedding FLARM into their own aviation and UAV products.
• Remote ID for UAV Remote Identification solution for drones compliant with ASTM F3411-19 and EN 4709-002, broadcasting drone identification and position information for electronic conspicuity and regulatory compliance.
• FLARM Hub App Native mobile application for iOS and Android that provides access to the FLARM Hub web interface for device configuration, firmware updates, IGC file downloads, and system monitoring of Wi-Fi-enabled FLARM devices.
• Obstacle Warning Databases (subscription) Annual regional obstacle databases (Alps, Europe, Norway, Slovenia, etc.) sold as device-bound licenses, used by FLARM hardware to warn pilots of fixed man-made obstacles such as towers, cables and buildings.
• libFLARM (software library) Software library enabling third-party developers to integrate FLARM protocol support into their own applications and avionics products.
• Skylens Receiver Network Ground-based receiver network operated as part of FLARM's ecosystem infrastructure that extends FLARM traffic coverage for enhanced situational awareness and live tracking.
• EASA Minor Change Approval (MCA) Package Regulatory approval package for installing PowerFLARM Fusion in certified aircraft, including an Approved Model List (AML) for aircraft up to 5,700 kg MTOM, AFM supplement, installation instructions, and maintenance documentation.
• FLARM FAMP Public Protocol Public protocol specification that enables third parties to implement FLARM-compatible traffic detection and electronic conspicuity, supporting features such as ground-to-air weather and traffic data uploads.
• FLARM AV-75 Antenna External FLARM antenna for aircraft installation requiring a ground plane, sold as an accessory and recommended in pairs (top and bottom) for antenna diversity on certified aircraft installations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 85,000 manned aircraft and countless drones equipped worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tour de FranceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2020The Tour de France 2020 helicopter (Aérospatiale AS-350 BA Ecureuil, F-GKMB) was equipped with PowerFLARM collision avoidance system to protect the media helicopter during the race.
• Elektro-Weltrekordflug TeamminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 August 2020FLARM sponsored the electric world record flight from Zurich to Norderney, providing collision avoidance protection for the 7 world record attempts including lowest energy consumption and highest average speed for electric light aircraft.
• DroniqcoreTechnology or Integration · 10 June 2020Droniq integrates FLARM transceivers into their Hook-on-device (HOD) transponder for drone UTM solutions. FLARM provides detect-and-avoid capabilities independent of LTE coverage, enabling BVLOS drone operations while maintaining safety through electronic conspicuity.
• Air Store / Air AvionicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAir Store supplies Air Traffic Displays compatible with FLARM systems. These certified FLARM-compatible displays are recommended for use with PowerFLARM Fusion installations.
• Open Glider Network (OGN)coreTechnology or IntegrationOGN is a community-run network of ground receivers that capture FLARM signals and stream live traffic data. Started by Pawel Jalocha in 2012, it enables aircraft tracking worldwide and won an EASA GA Safety Award.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies:
• Avidyne:
• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell manufactures TCAS and traffic awareness systems for commercial and business aviation. A broad incumbent in the avionics surveillance and identification space; while focused on IFR/TCAS, its traffic management products compete in adjacent regulatory frameworks to FLARM's VFR collision warning.
• Garmin: Garmin is the dominant avionics OEM, offering ADS-B and traffic awareness products (GDL 39, GTX series) integrated into broader cockpit suites. Overlaps with FLARM in traffic detection and electronic conspicuity for general aviation, but addresses a much wider portfolio and the IFR/transponder market rather than the VFR niche.

Emerging players

• Droniq: Droniq provides UTM and drone traffic management solutions in Germany, integrating FLARM transceivers into their Hook-on-Device. A core technology partner that is also an adjacent player in the broader drone detect-and-avoid ecosystem that FLARM serves.
• Sagetech Avionics: Sagetech produces transponders, ADS-B, and detect-and-avoid systems for commercial and military drones. Direct overlap with FLARM's drone product line in the BVLOS and Remote ID segments, with a focus on certifiable UAV avionics.
• Aerobits: Aerobits develops miniature ADS-B and FLARM transceivers for UAVs (notably a combined 14-gram ADS-B/FLARM device). A technology integration partner of FLARM, Aerobits increasingly overlaps with FLARM in the small-drone collision-avoidance segment.
• FreeFlight Systems: FreeFlight Systems manufactures ADS-B avionics for GA, business, and military aviation. Competes with FLARM at the hardware level for ADS-B-based traffic awareness, with greater focus on certified transponders and rule-compliant equipment.

Direct peers

• uAvionix: uAvionix produces ADS-B transceivers, Remote ID solutions, and detect-and-avoid equipment for both manned and unmanned aircraft. Directly competes with FLARM's Atom UAV and Aurora product lines in the drone segment and overlaps in low-cost ADS-B hardware for GA.
• PilotAware: PilotAware is a UK-based electronic conspicuity system for GA aircraft and a direct competitor in the European VFR collision-avoidance segment. FLARM and PilotAware have a formal interoperability partnership, but each competes for the same pilot user base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@flarm-traffic-safety

Compliance6 records

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 FLARM Technology Ltd