TopoFlight Systems
TopoFlight Systems (TOPOFLIGHT AG) is a Swiss software company, founded in 2002 and based in Meiringen, that develops 3D flight planning and navigation software (MISSIONPLANNER and NAVIGATOR) for enterprise aerial survey operators and geospatial professionals, with broad multi-sensor integration.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersThun, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What TopoFlight Systems does
TopoFlight Systems, operating as TOPOFLIGHT AG, is a privately held Swiss software company founded in 2002 in Meiringen, Switzerland, that develops a state-of-the-art software suite for 3D flight planning and navigation in the aerial surveying industry. Its core products are MISSIONPLANNER, an interactive 3D flight planning application that computes terrain-aware optimal flight line solutions with quality-control visualization and multi-sensor compatibility (LiDAR scanners, frame cameras, linear cameras, and multi-head systems); NAVIGATOR, a flight management system that provides real-time navigation, sensor triggering, and mission status during aircraft flights; and a SYSTEM INTEGRATION layer centered on the SensorHandler middleware, which speaks the proprietary TOPOFLIGHT Universal Protocol to integrate cameras (Phase One, ITRES, Vexcel, Nikon, Canon, HySpex, InfraTec, among others), LiDAR (Riegl), IMU/GNSS (Applanix, iXBlue, NovAtel, generic NMEA), and gyro-stabilized mounts (SOMAG). The 2026 release added mission management for complex projects, the .TFX data exchange format, and postflight quality control via GNSS/IMU trajectory analysis.
The company serves enterprise aerial survey operators and geospatial professionals worldwide, including users in Europe and North America, with sales conducted directly via the company website and at the industry's two flagship events — INTERGEO in Europe and Geo Week in Denver. The business model is enterprise software sales of perpetual MISSIONPLANNER and NAVIGATOR licenses (node-locked or server-based, with Sentinel hardware dongles or software keys) paired with annual maintenance contracts, supplemented by a 10-day free trial for MISSIONPLANNER and a reseller relationship with Flotron. Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales with product-led evaluation, content marketing via comprehensive documentation and video tutorials, and event-driven lead generation through co-exhibition with technology partners such as SOMAG AG Jena, Diamond Aircraft, and G2 Airborne Systems. The company is owned by CEO Lukas Eiholzer, with Oliver Hasler serving as CTO since February 2024 and a small team of developers, support, and administration staff totaling 1-10 employees.
TopoFlight Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TopoFlight Systems
- Legal name
- TOPOFLIGHT AG
- Website
- https://topoflight.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- TopoFlight Systems (TOPOFLIGHT AG) is a Swiss software company, founded in 2002 and based in Meiringen, that develops 3D flight planning and navigation software (MISSIONPLANNER and NAVIGATOR) for enterprise aerial survey operators and geospatial professionals, with broad multi-sensor integration.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TopoFlight Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Geospatial Flight Planning Software
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Aerial Surveying & Crop Scouting (Imaging, Mapping, Stand Counts) (AFACAIAJ)
Keywords
Where TopoFlight Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Thun
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
TopoFlight Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Software Licenses (MISSIONPLANNER & NAVIGATOR): Perpetual software licenses with optional maintenance/support contracts. Licenses distributed via Sentinel protection system (hardware dongle HL or software key SL). Supports node-locked and server-based deployment.
- Software Maintenance and Updates: Annual maintenance packages providing access to software updates and technical support. Required for running newer software versions beyond maintenance end date.
- Trial Licenses: Free 10-day trial licenses for evaluation purposes, convertible to paid licenses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | MISSIONPLANNER - Standard License |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | NAVIGATOR - Node-locked License |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | 10-Day Trial License |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
TopoFlight Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TopoFlight Systems develops and sells a software suite for 3D flight planning, in-flight navigation, and precise sensor handling used by aerial survey operators. Its two flagship products are MISSIONPLANNER (interactive 3D flight planning with terrain-aware optimization and quality control) and NAVIGATOR (real-time flight management and sensor triggering). The software integrates with LiDAR scanners, frame cameras, linear cameras, and multi-head systems from manufacturers including Riegl, Phase One, Applanix, ITRES, Vexcel, and SOMAG.
Product overview
TOPOFLIGHT offers a state-of-the-art software suite for 3D flight planning, navigation, and in-flight sensor handling. The product portfolio consists of two core software applications: MISSIONPLANNER (flight planning software) and NAVIGATOR (flight navigation/sensor control software), along with SYSTEM INTEGRATION capabilities. MISSIONPLANNER creates optimized flight plans considering terrain elevation, while NAVIGATOR executes those plans with real-time navigation and sensor control. The products support various sensors including LiDAR scanners, frame cameras, linear cameras, and multi-head systems. Data exchange between products uses .TFX format. The company has been active in geospatial technology since 2002, headquartered in Meiringen, Switzerland.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MISSIONPLANNER: Fast and interactive 3D flight planning software for creating efficient and optimized flight plans for aerial surveying.
- NAVIGATOR
- SYSTEM INTEGRATION
Products and services
- MISSIONPLANNER Fast and interactive 3D flight planning software for creating customized flight plans for aerial surveying. Considers terrain elevation when calculating optimal flight line solutions, supports LiDAR scanners, frame cameras, linear cameras, and multi-head systems, and includes quality control visualization. Distributed as a perpetual license with optional annual maintenance via Sentinel hardware dongle or software key.
- NAVIGATOR Flight management system that provides easy navigation and precise sensor handling during aircraft flights. Enables real-time flight line display, sensor control via SensorHandler middleware, and optimization of image and LiDAR data acquisition. Typically node-locked to the flight computer as a software-only license.
Quantifiable outcome
- MISSIONPLANNER has evolved into one of the most widely used tools for precision geospatial applications
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use TopoFlight Systems
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
TopoFlight Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration19 records
AI capability5 records
Feature8 records
TopoFlight Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Somag AGcoreSomag AG Jena (same entity as SOMAG AG Jena) is a long-standing partner for gyro stabilization systems. Shared booth presence at INTERGEO 2023, 2024, and 2025 demonstrates consistent co-marketing relationship.
- SOMAG AG JenacoreSOMAG AG Jena is a key technology partner providing gyro stabilization mount systems. Companies co-exhibit at industry events (INTERGEO, Geo Week) and integrate their products for aerial survey operations. SOMAG mount handler is natively supported in NAVIGATOR SensorHandler for sensor stabilization control.
- Phase OnecorePhase One is a leading aerial camera manufacturer whose products are natively integrated with TOPOFLIGHT software. SensorHandler supports Phase One cameras via iXCapture integration with port 9569 for image triggering and file name synchronization.
- RieglcoreRiegl is a major LiDAR sensor manufacturer. TOPOFLIGHT integrates with Riegl RiACQUIRE software for scanner control, image triggering, and data acquisition management. Integration supports VQ-1560II, CVQ-1560I, LMS-Q1560, VQ-780i, VQ-780II, LMS-Q780 models.
- ITRESmajorITRES is a sensor manufacturer whose products are integrated with TOPOFLIGHT software for specialized aerial imaging applications.
- VexcelmajorVexcel is an imaging technology partner whose sensors are supported within the TOPOFLIGHT ecosystem.
- FlotronmajorFlotron is a Swiss-based technology partner and reseller of TOPOFLIGHT products, shown in the technology partners and resellers section of the website.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
TopoFlight Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Agisoft Metashape: Agisoft Metashape is photogrammetry processing software used widely by aerial survey operators alongside planning tools. Adjacent in the aerial survey workflow with partial overlap on mission preparation and QC, though primarily a processing rather than flight planning platform.
- SimActive Correlator3D: SimActive Correlator3D is photogrammetry software for aerial survey data processing with mission planning features. Competes in adjacent segments of the aerial survey workflow rather than direct flight planning, but targets the same enterprise customer base.
- ArduPilot Mission Planner (open source): ArduPilot's Mission Planner is a free, open-source ground control station for drone flight planning used by hobbyist and small commercial operators. Indirect competitor at the low end of the market with brand-name overlap, but lacks the precision terrain planning and sensor integration depth of TopoFlight's enterprise offering.
- Pix4D (PIX4Dmapper / PIX4Dflight): Pix4D offers PIX4Dmapper photogrammetry software and PIX4Dflight mission planning tool for drone-based mapping. Overlaps with TopoFlight in aerial survey workflows but is differentiated toward drone/UAS users and photogrammetry processing rather than manned aerial LiDAR.
Broad incumbents
- DJI (FlightHub / Pilot 2): DJI offers flight planning, mission execution and fleet management tools (DJI FlightHub, Pilot 2) as part of its dominant commercial drone ecosystem. Functions as a broad incumbent with overlapping mission planning capability for drone-based surveys, though optimized for DJI hardware rather than sensor-agnostic workflows.
- Trimble / Applanix (POSPac, Flight Management): Applanix (Trimble) provides POS AV/AP+ GNSS-IMU systems and POSPac post-processing software widely used in aerial survey. As a sensor partner already integrated with TopoFlight, it is a broader incumbent with adjacent mission planning and georeferencing capabilities.
- Esri ArcGIS Drone2Map / Site Scan: Esri's ArcGIS ecosystem (Drone2Map, Site Scan for ArcGIS) provides drone flight planning and geospatial data processing for enterprise GIS customers. Broad incumbent with mission planning adjacent to TopoFlight's geospatial workflow, anchored to the ArcGIS platform.
Direct peers
- SPH Engineering (UgCS): SPH Engineering's UgCS is a desktop flight planning software for professional UAV/drone surveys with terrain-following and multi-sensor support. Directly competes with MISSIONPLANNER in the aerial survey flight planning niche, particularly for LiDAR and photogrammetry missions.
- Leica Geosystems (Hexagon) FlightPro: Leica's FlightPro is mission planning software for manned aerial survey flights using Leica airborne sensors. Closest direct peer in the manned aerial survey flight planning category, with comparable sensor integration depth and quality control features.
- senseFly (eMotion): senseFly's eMotion is flight planning and management software purpose-built for senseFly mapping drones, handling mission design and sensor control. Competes with TopoFlight in the drone-based aerial survey planning segment, though optimized for a single aircraft ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TopoFlight Systems social profiles
Digital presenceTopoFlight Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TopoFlight Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
TopoFlight Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TopoFlight Systems 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 TopoFlight Systems
What does TopoFlight Systems do?
TopoFlight Systems develops and sells a software suite for 3D flight planning, in-flight navigation, and precise sensor handling used by aerial survey operators. Its two flagship products are MISSIONPLANNER (interactive 3D flight planning with terrain-aware optimization and quality control) and NAVIGATOR (real-time flight management and sensor triggering). The software integrates with LiDAR scanners, frame cameras, linear cameras, and multi-head systems from manufacturers including Riegl, Phase One, Applanix, ITRES, Vexcel, and SOMAG.
Is TopoFlight Systems a public or private company?
TopoFlight Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was TopoFlight Systems founded?
TopoFlight Systems was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is TopoFlight Systems based?
TopoFlight Systems is headquartered in Thun, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does TopoFlight Systems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses (MISSIONPLANNER & NAVIGATOR) is the primary driver. The others are software Maintenance and Updates and trial Licenses.
Who are TopoFlight Systems's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Agisoft Metashape, SimActive Correlator3D, ArduPilot Mission Planner (open source) and Pix4D (PIX4Dmapper / PIX4Dflight). Broad incumbents are DJI (FlightHub / Pilot 2), Trimble / Applanix (POSPac, Flight Management) and Esri ArcGIS Drone2Map / Site Scan. Direct peers are SPH Engineering (UgCS), Leica Geosystems (Hexagon) FlightPro and senseFly (eMotion).
Does TopoFlight Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for TopoFlight Systems.
What industry is TopoFlight Systems in?
TopoFlight Systems's product category is Geospatial Flight Planning Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAO, Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility), with a secondary code of AFACAIAJ, Aerial Surveying & Crop Scouting (Imaging, Mapping, Stand Counts). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.