Positive Control Network
POSCON operates a free, massively multiplayer online flight simulation network connecting pilots across X-Plane, MSFS, FSX, and Prepar3D with virtual air traffic controllers, serving a global community of flight simulation hobbyists and organized virtual airlines.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersClaymont, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Positive Control Network does
POSCON Inc. (dba Positive Control Network) is a privately held, non-profit flight simulation network operator headquartered in Claymont, Delaware. The company operates a massively multiplayer online platform that connects users of multiple flight simulator platforms — X-Plane, Microsoft Flight Simulator, FSX/P3D, and Prepar3D — with virtual air traffic controllers in real time across global airspace sectors. Core technology consists of a custom server protocol built on modern gaming architecture with a 15 Hz update rate scalable to thousands of simultaneous connections, a realistic voice communication codec designed by RF engineers that simulates HF/VHF/UHF propagation characteristics, and a proprietary direct integration with U.S. Federal Aviation Administration servers ingesting real-world D-ATIS broadcasts and NOTAMs. Supporting components include a web-based Network Headquarters (HQ) for traffic management and training, a web-based pilot client UI accessible from any device, a custom launcher application for standardized software distribution, Ghost Mode for low-risk newcomer onboarding, a Shared Cockpit/Radar system for crew-managed environments, an error-based training system, and a gamified Member Ranking System.
The platform is offered free to all users with no membership fees or paid tiers; revenue, to the extent any exists, derives from voluntary donations and Google AdSense advertising. POSCON monetizes indirectly by cultivating an organized ecosystem of certified Virtual Operators (virtual airlines such as AAvirtual, AeroBoteco, vEWG, Osprey Airways, REXAIR VIRTUAL, Royal Air Maroc, SUR Air, and Walker Air Transport) and Virtual Military Operators (USAFV, VUSN), which authenticate members via a published OAuth 2.0 SSO API. Infrastructure runs on Google Cloud Platform with SendGrid for email and reCAPTCHA/IPS for anti-abuse. The company is led by founder Andrew Heath, employs 11–50 staff, has no disclosed external funding, and has operated continuously since at least 2019, serving a global hobbyist market with no geographic restrictions.
Go-to-market is community-led and product-led: free membership drives organic acquisition through Discord, forums, Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram, with no direct sales motion and no enterprise customers. Marketing channels are almost entirely top-of-funnel community/developer-relations and organic social.
Positive Control Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Positive Control Network
- Legal name
- POSCON Inc.
- Website
- https://poscon.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- POSCON operates a free, massively multiplayer online flight simulation network connecting pilots across X-Plane, MSFS, FSX, and Prepar3D with virtual air traffic controllers, serving a global community of flight simulation hobbyists and organized virtual airlines.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Positive Control Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Flight Simulation Network
- NAICS
- Air Traffic Control (488111)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Input Devices & Controllers (Gamepads, Keyboards, Mice, Fight Sticks, Steering Wheels, HOTAS) (MPAFAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Dispatch, Control Centers & Operations Management (OCC) (THAIANAD)
Keywords
Where Positive Control Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Claymont
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Positive Control Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Free Membership Service: POSCON operates as a free service with no membership fees charged. The platform continues development of advanced features long after initial release without requiring payment. Revenue is not generated directly from membership fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Membership - Complete access to all core network features |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Positive Control Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
POSCON (Positive Control Network) is a free, massively multiplayer online network that connects pilots using multiple flight simulator platforms (X-Plane, Prepar3D, Microsoft Flight Simulator, FSX) with virtual air traffic controllers in real-time. The platform delivers realistic voice communication, gamified ranking, FAA data integration, and standardized training across global airspace.
Product overview
POSCON is a single unified platform - the POSCON Network - which is a massively multiplayer online flight simulation network connecting pilots and air traffic controllers across multiple flight simulator platforms (X-Plane, FSX/P3D, Microsoft Flight Simulator). The platform consists of core integrated components: the Network Headquarters (HQ) system for user management and activity coordination, a Web-Based Pilot Client UI for mobile-friendly control, a Custom Launcher for software management, Ghost Mode for newcomer-friendly introduction, Shared Cockpit/Radar for collaborative sessions, a Realistic Voice Communication System simulating HF/VHF/UHF radio frequencies, ATC Training System, and a Member Ranking System with gamification. The platform is free to join with advanced features continuing to be developed.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- POSCON Network A massively multiplayer online network that connects users of various flight simulator platforms (X-Plane, FSX/P3D, MSFS) with virtual air traffic controllers in an interactive, immersive, and realistic environment. Free membership with gamified ranking system.
Quantifiable outcome
- Supports thousands of simultaneous connections with 15 Hz update rate
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Positive Control Network
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Positive Control Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature10 records
Positive Control Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)corePOSCON is the only flight simulation network with direct connection to FAA servers. This partnership enables integration of real-world Digital Automated Terminal Information Service (D-ATIS) broadcasts, NOTAMs, and other official feeds directly into the server infrastructure for enhanced realism. This is a unique differentiator not available to competitors.
- Google Cloud PlatformcorePOSCON securely stores user data on Google Cloud Platform located in datacenters across the globe. All data is encrypted at rest with best practices followed to prevent data exfiltration.
- Google AdSenseminorGoogle AdSense is used for advertising on the POSCON website to generate revenue from site visitors.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Positive Control Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- SimBrief: Flight planning and briefing platform widely used by flight sim enthusiasts. Ecosystem participant that complements POSCON's multiplayer experience by providing the planning layer pilots use before connecting to the network.
- Orbx Simulation Systems: Developer of high-quality scenery, airports, and aircraft add-ons for flight simulators. Adjacent ecosystem participant whose content drives overall flight sim engagement and indirectly influences POSCON's user activity levels.
- Aerosoft: Flight simulation add-on developer and publisher producing aircraft, scenery, and infrastructure tools. Ecosystem participant whose commercial add-ons shape the user base POSCON serves across the supported simulator platforms.
- Navigraph: Provider of charts, navigation data, and flight planning tools for flight simulators. Adjacent ecosystem participant that POSCON users rely on for procedures and data that complement POSCON's ATC services.
Emerging players
- JoinFS: Multiplayer network focused on FSX and Prepar3D users to enable shared cockpit and formation flying. Emerges as a niche competitor with partial overlap to POSCON's shared cockpit functionality within a narrower simulator subset.
Broad incumbents
- Laminar Research (X-Plane): Developer of the X-Plane flight simulator, one of POSCON's primary supported platforms. Functions as a broader incumbent in the flight sim ecosystem whose platform decisions directly shape POSCON's addressable market.
- Microsoft Flight Simulator: Microsoft's flagship flight simulator and one of POSCON's largest supported platforms. As a broad incumbent with massive mainstream reach, MSFS 2024 expansion decisions heavily influence POSCON's user growth potential.
Direct peers
- PilotEdge: Premium real-time ATC network for flight simulators staffed by live controllers. Competes with POSCON for users seeking realistic ATC interaction, but operates a paid subscription model and focuses on the U.S. airspace.
- VATSIM (Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network): The largest and most established online flight simulation network connecting virtual pilots with virtual ATC controllers. POSCON directly competes for the same hobbyist user base across the same simulator platforms with overlapping multiplayer and ATC functionality.
- IVAO (International Virtual Aviation Organisation): Major non-profit flight simulation network providing virtual ATC and multiplayer services globally. Direct competitor to POSCON, offering similar pilot/controller interaction across multiple simulator platforms.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Positive Control Network social profiles
Digital presencePositive Control Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Positive Control Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Positive Control Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Positive Control Network 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 Positive Control Network
What does Positive Control Network do?
POSCON (Positive Control Network) is a free, massively multiplayer online network that connects pilots using multiple flight simulator platforms (X-Plane, Prepar3D, Microsoft Flight Simulator, FSX) with virtual air traffic controllers in real-time. The platform delivers realistic voice communication, gamified ranking, FAA data integration, and standardized training across global airspace.
Is Positive Control Network a public or private company?
Positive Control Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Positive Control Network founded?
Positive Control Network was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Positive Control Network based?
Positive Control Network is headquartered in Claymont, United States, in the North America region.
How does Positive Control Network make money?
One revenue line is on record: free Membership Service.
Who are Positive Control Network's main competitors?
Others on record are SimBrief, Orbx Simulation Systems, Aerosoft and Navigraph. JoinFS is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Laminar Research (X-Plane) and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Direct peers are PilotEdge, VATSIM (Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network) and IVAO (International Virtual Aviation Organisation).
Does Positive Control Network have an API?
Yes. POSCON offers an OAuth 2.0 SSO (Single Sign-On) API for Virtual Operators to authenticate and connect their members to the POSCON network. The API supports authorization code flow with endpoints for OAuth authorization, token exchange, token info, and user info retrieval. Sample code is provided in PHP and NodeJS. Virtual Operators can use OAuth to verify which members are also POSCON members and integrate their user management. Developer documentation is at forums.poscon.net/docs/operators/general/apply.
What industry is Positive Control Network in?
Positive Control Network's product category is Flight Simulation Network. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAGAF, Input Devices & Controllers (Gamepads, Keyboards, Mice, Fight Sticks, Steering Wheels, HOTAS), with a secondary code of THAIANAD, Dispatch, Control Centers & Operations Management (OCC). Its NAICS code is 488111 and its SIC code is 3576.