SHEPPARD AIR, INC.
Sheppard Air is a privately held Wichita Falls, Texas software company selling proprietary FAA knowledge test preparation courses (Flight Test 5 and Flight Test X20) for professional pilots, military-to-civilian conversions, and flight instructor candidates via direct phone sales and self-serve download.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersWichita Falls, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What SHEPPARD AIR, INC. does
Sheppard Air, Inc. is a privately held software company headquartered in Wichita Falls, Texas, that has developed and marketed the Flight Test 5 (desktop) and Flight Test X20 (iPad) learning platforms for FAA knowledge test preparation since its founding in 1998. The company serves professional pilots pursuing Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification, active-duty and retired military pilots converting to FAA civilian credentials through Military Competency exams (MCN, MCI), flight instructors seeking initial or additional ratings, and aircraft dispatcher and flight engineer candidates. The proprietary Flight Test 5 platform features a "laser-guided learning" approach that only includes questions that can actually appear on each specific FAA exam, materially reducing required study volume versus broader 1,000+ question alternatives.
The platform architecture combines targeted question banks, explanations linked to FARs and FAA handbooks, and a study strategy structured around learning-science principles designed to avoid negative learning patterns. The software runs on Windows (Vista+), Mac (10.10.5+), and iPad (iOS 14.0+) with offline study capability and automatic updates when connected to the internet. The company maintains continuous 24-hour database updates in contrast to competitors' annual update cycles, with technical staff monitoring FAA database changes several times per quarter. Customer support includes 24/7 telephone technical support on the enrollment line and instructor help from 0800-2000 Central Time daily.
Sheppard Air monetizes through one-time course enrollment fees ranging from $40 (Fundamentals of Instructing) to $90 (ATP, ADX, FEX exams), with a la carte bundle pricing for related courses in the same group ($50 first course, $10 each subsequent) and cross-sell discounts on Airline Interview Prep for prior ATP enrollees. Acquisition is driven primarily by word-of-mouth referrals from pilots, flight instructors, FAA examiners, and flight schools, supplemented by a free trial and direct phone enrollment at (940) 642-4945. The company reports a less than 1% refund rate on ATP courses and typical customer exam scores of 90-100%. With a 7-person team and no external funding, Sheppard Air operates as a bootstrapped, founder-owned niche software business that has remained continuously active for over 26 years.
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SHEPPARD AIR, INC.
- Legal name
- Sheppard Air, Inc.
- Website
- https://sheppardair.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sheppard Air is a privately held Wichita Falls, Texas software company selling proprietary FAA knowledge test preparation courses (Flight Test 5 and Flight Test X20) for professional pilots, military-to-civilian conversions, and flight instructor candidates via direct phone sales and self-serve download.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aviation Test Preparation Software
- NAICS
- Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Test Prep Tutoring Platforms (SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT, etc.) (EDANAGAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)
Keywords
Where SHEPPARD AIR, INC. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wichita Falls
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- FAA Test Prep Software Enrollment: One-time software enrollment fee providing access to study courses for specific FAA knowledge tests. Enrollment is valid until the day the student takes the FAA exam, with a maximum validity of one year. Pricing varies by exam type from $40 to $90 per course.
- A la Carte Course Bundles: Discount pricing for enrolling in multiple related courses within defined groups (e.g., Instrument Rating courses, Aircraft Instructor courses). First course at full price ($50), subsequent courses in the same group at $10 each.
- Airline Interview Test Prep Add-on: $50 for Airline Interview Test Prep, with $20 discount if previously enrolled in any Sheppard Air ATP course.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ATP/ADX/FEX Exams - $90 per exam |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Airline Interview Test Prep - $50 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Commercial Pilot Exams - $50 each |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Military Competency Exams - $45-$60 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Fundamentals of Instructing - $40 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Instrument & Instructor Exams - First course $50, additional courses $10 each |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sheppard Air develops and sells the proprietary Flight Test 5 learning platform, a downloadable computer-based training application that prepares pilots for FAA knowledge tests across certifications including ATP, Airline Interview, Aircraft Dispatcher, Flight Engineer, Commercial Pilot, Military Competency, Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor, and Instrument Rating. The platform provides laser-guided question banks with explanations linked to FARs/handbooks, practice tests, continuous 24/7 updates, and offline study capability for Windows, Mac, and iPad users.
Product overview
Sheppard Air offers the Flight Test 5 learning platform for FAA knowledge test preparation across multiple certification levels. The core product is a desktop/mobile application (available for Windows, Mac, and iPad as Flight Test X20) that delivers study courses for ATP (ATM/ATS/ATH), Airline Interview Prep (AIP), Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX), Flight Engineer (FEX), Commercial Pilot (CAX/CCP/CRH/CCH), Military Competency Commercial (MCN), Military Competency Instructor (MCI), Flight Instructor (FOI/FIA/FII/FRH/FIH), Ground Instructor (AGI/IGI), and Instrument Rating (IRA/IRH/IGI) exams. The platform is updated 24/7 and includes video tutorials through the Video Center and reference documents. The company does not offer Private Pilot test prep as free alternatives are available. Pricing is structured per exam type with some bundled pricing for related courses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Flight Test X20: Mobile application for iPad providing FAA test preparation study platform.
- Flight Test 5
Products and services
- Flight Test 5 (Desktop Learning Platform) Proprietary desktop application for Windows (Vista+) and Mac (OS 10.10.5+) that delivers FAA knowledge test preparation through laser-guided question banks, explanations linked to FARs/handbooks, practice tests, and automated 24/7 database updates with offline study capability.
- Flight Test X20 (iPad App) iPad-specific mobile application available through the Apple App Store for 64-bit iPads running iOS 14.0 or later, providing the same FAA test preparation study platform as the desktop version.
- ATP Study Course (ATM, ACM, ATS, ASC, ATH, ACH) Comprehensive FAA knowledge test preparation for Airline Transport Pilot certifications including Airplane Multiengine (ATM/ACM), Airplane Single Engine (ATS/ASC), and Helicopter (ATH/ACH). Includes 1075 questions for ATP Multiengine, 832 for ATP Helicopter.
- Airline Interview Test Prep (AIP) Written test preparation for interview tests at U.S. Regional Carriers including PSA, Mesa, Republic, Go, Commutair, Frontier, and Air Wisconsin. Contains 803 questions tailored to airline interview assessments.
- Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) Study Course FAA knowledge test preparation for the Aircraft Dispatcher certification exam with 988 questions in the course content.
- Flight Engineer Turbojet (FEX) Study Course FAA knowledge test preparation for the Flight Engineer Turbojet written exam with 488 questions in the course content.
- Commercial Pilot Study Courses (CAX, CCP, CRH, CCH) FAA knowledge test preparation for Commercial Pilot certifications including Airplane (CAX, CCP) and Helicopter (CRH, CCH) exams.
- Military Competency Non-Category (MCN) Study Course FAA knowledge test preparation for the MCN exam, the consolidated military competency commercial pilot test covering airplane single/multiengine, helicopter, and powered lift categories with approximately 345 questions.
- Military Competency Instructor (MCI) Study Course FAA knowledge test preparation for military pilots and instructor pilots to obtain Flight Instructor certificates through the Military Competency pathway, with approximately 450 questions and typical study time under 6 hours.
- Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) Study Course FAA knowledge test preparation for the Fundamentals of Instructing exam, required for flight and ground instructor certifications.
- Instrument Rating Study Courses (IRA, IRH, FII, FIH, IGI) FAA knowledge test preparation for Instrument Rating and related instructor certifications for Airplane (IRA, FII, IGI) and Helicopter (IRH, FIH).
- Flight Instructor Study Courses (FIA, FRH, AGI) FAA knowledge test preparation for Flight Instructor Aircraft exams for Airplane (FIA) and Helicopter (FRH), and Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) certifications.
- Ground Instructor Study Courses (AGI, IGI) FAA knowledge test preparation for Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) and Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI) certifications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Less than 1% refund rate on ATP exams in FY2021
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use SHEPPARD AIR, INC.
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sporty's Pilot Shop: Sporty's is a leading aviation retailer and training provider offering FAA test prep courses, video-based ground school, and pilot supplies. It directly competes with Sheppard Air in the same market of comprehensive FAA knowledge test preparation for private, instrument, and commercial pilot certificates.
- Pilot Institute: Pilot Institute offers online aviation courses and FAA test prep content with a modern video-first delivery model. It targets the same pilot certification exam market as Sheppard Air, particularly for student and recreational pilots.
- Gleim Aviation: Gleim produces FAA test prep manuals, online courses, and pilot training materials for private through ATP certifications. It is a directly comparable competitor with a similar product mix of study questions and explanations linked to FAA reference materials.
- Dauntless Software: Dauntless produces mobile FAA test prep apps for iPad focused on targeted question banks for ATP, instrument, and other FAA knowledge tests. It directly competes with Sheppard Air's Flight Test X20 product on the same platforms and exam categories.
- ASA (Aviation Supplies & Academics): ASA publishes the most widely used printed test prep manuals, oral exam guides, and pilot logbooks in the U.S. It competes head-to-head with Sheppard Air for FAA knowledge test preparation, particularly for pilots who prefer book-based study formats.
- King Schools: King Schools produces popular video-based FAA test prep courses across private, instrument, commercial, and ATP certifications. It is a direct competitor to Sheppard Air's online learning platform, serving the same pilot-customer base with a different delivery format.
Broad incumbents
- ForeFlight: ForeFlight is the dominant iPad-based electronic flight bag (EFB) platform for pilots, with broader preflight, weather, and planning capabilities. While not a test prep pure-play, it overlaps with Sheppard Air in the iPad-based pilot utility category and has the resources to expand into adjacent learning content.
- Jeppesen: Jeppesen (a Boeing subsidiary) is a long-established provider of aviation training materials, flight manuals, and test prep resources used in commercial and military pilot training. It serves the same customer base as Sheppard Air but as part of a much broader aviation services portfolio.
Emerging players
- Rod Machado: Rod Machado produces FAA test prep courses, textbooks, and instructional videos for private, instrument, and commercial pilot certifications. As an independent educator brand, it offers a comparable study-content alternative to Sheppard Air across multiple FAA exam categories.
- CFI Bootcamp: CFI Bootcamp is an emerging online training provider focused on flight instructor certification (CFI/CFII) preparation. It overlaps with Sheppard Air's Flight Instructor and Fundamentals of Instructing courses but specializes in a narrower segment of the pilot training continuum.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. social profiles
Digital presenceSHEPPARD AIR, INC. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. 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 SHEPPARD AIR, INC.
What does SHEPPARD AIR, INC. do?
Sheppard Air develops and sells the proprietary Flight Test 5 learning platform, a downloadable computer-based training application that prepares pilots for FAA knowledge tests across certifications including ATP, Airline Interview, Aircraft Dispatcher, Flight Engineer, Commercial Pilot, Military Competency, Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor, and Instrument Rating. The platform provides laser-guided question banks with explanations linked to FARs/handbooks, practice tests, continuous 24/7 updates, and offline study capability for Windows, Mac, and iPad users.
Is SHEPPARD AIR, INC. a public or private company?
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SHEPPARD AIR, INC. founded?
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SHEPPARD AIR, INC. based?
SHEPPARD AIR, INC. is headquartered in Wichita Falls, United States, in the North America region.
How does SHEPPARD AIR, INC. make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. FAA Test Prep Software Enrollment is the primary driver. The others are A la Carte Course Bundles and airline Interview Test Prep Add-on.
Who are SHEPPARD AIR, INC.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sporty's Pilot Shop, Pilot Institute, Gleim Aviation, Dauntless Software, ASA (Aviation Supplies & Academics) and King Schools. Broad incumbents are ForeFlight and Jeppesen. Emerging players are Rod Machado and CFI Bootcamp.
Does SHEPPARD AIR, INC. have an API?
No public API is recorded for SHEPPARD AIR, INC..
What industry is SHEPPARD AIR, INC. in?
SHEPPARD AIR, INC.'s product category is Aviation Test Preparation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAGAH, Test Prep Tutoring Platforms (SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT, etc.), with a secondary code of EDABALAC, Aviation & Aerospace. Its NAICS code is 611691.