Aerofly

What Aerofly does

Aerofly is a flight simulation software brand operated by IPACS Hans-Borchers-Gruentjens GbR, a small German partnership (GbR) founded in 2011 and headquartered in Tübingen, Germany. Its flagship product, Aerofly FS 4, is a consumer-grade flight simulator that emphasizes real-time physics modeling of individual aircraft parts, photorealistic 3D graphics with global scenery streaming, and native VR support across Steam VR, Oculus VR, and Windows Mixed Reality. The product spans an unusually broad platform footprint — Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch — and ships with 1,200+ hand-modeled airports in the USA and Europe, a global navigation database (ILS, VOR, NDB, FMS), and a library of 20,000+ real-world airline flight missions.

The business model is a one-time software license sold directly to consumers through five distribution channels: Steam (Valve), Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Nintendo eShop, and Aerosoft for regional German boxed/DVD sales. Revenue mechanics consist of unit sales net of platform revenue-share fees (typically 15–30%). The customer base is segmented horizontally into flight simulation enthusiasts (primary) and aviation training/practice use cases (secondary), with no enterprise or institutional contracts identified. Pricing is set by platform holders and is not publicly disclosed by the company.

Aerofly complements its consumer product with a developer ecosystem built around an Aircraft SDK, a Blender TGI Exporter plugin, an External DLL interface for reading/sending flight data, and a Content Converter for Points of Interest. These tools support third-party content creation and modding, anchored by a community forum with over 30,000 registered members. The company operates with a team of approximately 9 employees, holds no external institutional funding, and derives no disclosed AI/ML capability — its differentiation rests on proprietary physics simulation and curated content assets rather than machine intelligence.

Name

Aerofly

Legal name

IPACS Hans-Borchers-Gruentjens GbR

Website

https://aerofly.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aerofly is a German flight simulation software brand (operated by IPACS) that sells a physics-based consumer flight simulator across Steam, Apple, Google, and Nintendo storefronts, serving flight simulation enthusiasts and aviation hobbyists worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Simulation Software

akta.pro primary industry

Serious Games & Simulation Studios (Training, Defense, Enterprise) (MPAFAAAH)

Keywords

• Flight simulation software
• Aviation simulation
• Virtual reality
• Aircraft simulation
• Flight training software

Headquarters

HQ city

Tübingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software License Sales: One-time purchase of flight simulator software across multiple platforms (Steam, App Store, Google Play, Nintendo Switch). Also available as DVD boxed version through Aerosoft.
2. Platform Distribution Fees: Revenue share arrangements with Steam (Valve), Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and Nintendo eShop for distribution through their respective platforms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aerofly develops and sells consumer flight simulation software under the Aerofly FS brand, distributed across desktop (Windows, MacOS, Linux via Steam), mobile (iOS via Apple App Store, Android via Google Play), and console (Nintendo Switch). The simulator emphasizes real-time physics-based flight modeling, photorealistic 3D scenery with global streaming, highly detailed interactive cockpits, native VR support, and a wide selection of aircraft ranging from light GA planes to commercial airliners and military jets.

Product overview

Aerofly is a flight simulation software company operated by IPACS (Hans-Borchers-Grüntjens GbR), based in Tübingen, Germany. Its core product line centers on Aerofly FS 4, a next-generation flight simulator for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. The product is distributed through Steam, Apple App Store, Google Play, Nintendo eShop, and Aerosoft. Aerofly FS 4 is complemented by Aerofly FS Global, a mobile-specific version, and the legacy Aerofly FS 2. The company maintains a developer ecosystem centered on its Aircraft SDK, Blender TGI Exporter plugin, External DLL Interface, and Aerofly FS Content Converter — tools that enable third parties to create custom aircraft, scenery, and Points of Interest. There is no AI or machine learning component in the product; the simulation relies on physics-based modeling for flight dynamics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aerofly FS 4 Flight Simulator Flagship next-generation flight simulator featuring photorealistic global scenery with streaming, over 1200 hand-crafted airports in the USA and Europe, real-time flight physics with fully simulated aircraft parts, highly detailed 3D cockpits with interactive instruments, VR support, and a wide selection of aircraft from small GA planes to large commercial airliners and military jets. Targeted at individual consumers, aviation enthusiasts, and flight training hobbyists.
• Aerofly FS Global (Mobile) Mobile flight simulator version for iOS and Android devices that brings Aerofly's flight simulation experience to smartphones and tablets through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Targeted at consumers who want flight simulation on mobile platforms.
• Aerofly FS 2 Flight Simulator Previous-generation flight simulator for Windows, available as DVD boxed version (via Aerosoft) or direct-download. Legacy product that receives limited updates focused on bug fixes and performance improvements. Targeted at existing users who have not migrated to Aerofly FS 4.
• Aerofly FS Aircraft SDK Developer toolkit that enables third-party developers to create and convert custom aircraft for Aerofly FS 4. Includes an intermediate folder template for the DR400 aircraft. Targeted at modders and 3D content creators building custom aircraft content.
• Blender TGI Exporter Plugin A Blender add-on plugin that allows users to export 3D objects, scenery, and Points of Interest (POIs) in the TGI format for use in Aerofly FS. Part of the POI creation workflow alongside the GIS plugin for OpenStreetMap integration. Targeted at 3D artists and modders.
• External DLL Interface Sample A downloadable sample project that enables developers to read flight data from Aerofly FS and send control messages to aircraft via an external DLL. Provides a reference implementation for building custom DLL interfaces. Targeted at software developers integrating with Aerofly FS.
• Aerofly FS Content Converter Content conversion tool (with separate versions for Windows and macOS/Linux) used to convert Blender 3D scenes and OpenStreetMap map tiles into POI packages installable in Aerofly FS. Bundled with a working folder template and sample Blender files. Targeted at content creators producing custom scenery for Aerofly FS.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of the best and fastest 3D graphics available in flight simulators

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Valve (Steam)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSteam is the primary digital distribution platform for Aerofly FS 4 on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Steam handles distribution, payment processing, and automatic updates for customers purchasing through the Steam store.
• Apple (App Store)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApple App Store distributes Aerofly FS 4 for MacOS and Aerofly FS Global for iOS devices. Apple handles payment processing through their ecosystem.
• Google (Play Store)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGoogle Play Store distributes Aerofly FS Global for Android mobile devices. Google handles payment processing through their platform.
• NintendocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNintendo eShop distributes Aerofly FS Flight Simulator for Nintendo Switch console. Partnership brings flight simulation to console gaming audience.
• AerosoftminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAerosoft serves as a German regional reseller for Aerofly FS 2, offering DVD boxed versions and direct download options outside of Steam ecosystem. Provides non-Steam update downloads.
• Blender FoundationcoreTechnology or IntegrationBlender is the 3D modeling software supported by Aerofly's TGI Exporter plugin, enabling users to create custom aircraft and POIs. Open-source 3D creation suite.
• OpenStreetMapcoreTechnology or IntegrationOpenStreetMap provides map data for the optional GIS Plugin that imports map sections directly into Blender for creating Points of Interest in Aerofly FS.
• Oculus VR (Meta)coreTechnology or IntegrationNative VR support for Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest devices. Full VR immersion with virtual hand controls for authentic flight experience.
• HTC (Vive)coreTechnology or IntegrationNative Steam VR support for HTC Vive headsets, enabling immersive VR flight simulation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Infinite Flight: Mobile flight simulator available on iOS and Android with multiplayer ATC features. Directly comparable to Aerofly FS Global as a mobile flight simulation offering targeting similar casual aviation enthusiasts.
• DCS World (Eagle Dynamics): High-fidelity combat and civilian flight simulator with study-level aircraft modules. Competes with Aerofly FS 4 for enthusiast flight sim dollars, particularly in the military aircraft segment where Aerofly also operates (F-18, F-15E).
• RealFlight (Horizon Hobby): RC aircraft flight simulator with realistic physics and controller integration. Shares the realistic flight physics value proposition with Aerofly and competes for the aviation hobbyist dollar, though focused on RC rather than full-scale aircraft.
• X-Plane (Laminar Research): Long-standing indie-developed flight simulator with blade-element theory flight model and global scenery. Most directly comparable peer to Aerofly in terms of studio size, simulation philosophy, and enthusiast audience.

Emerging players

• GeoFS: Browser-based free flight simulator using community and satellite data. Adjacent competitor targeting casual users who may otherwise consider Aerofly FS Global for low-friction flight simulation.
• FlyInside: VR-focused flight simulator with native headset integration. Overlaps with Aerofly FS 4's VR support strategy and targets the same immersive flight experience use case on premium VR hardware.

Broad incumbents

• Prepar3D (Lockheed Martin): Professional-grade simulation platform derived from Microsoft ESP, used for training and commercial applications. Competes with Aerofly in the aviation training/professional segment, supported by Lockheed Martin's engineering depth.
• Microsoft Flight Simulator: Microsoft's flagship consumer flight simulator using Bing Maps photogrammetry for global scenery. Directly competes with Aerofly FS 4 for the same enthusiast segment but with vastly larger engineering resources, content coverage, and brand reach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aerofly

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Aerofly