We are planning for market strategy as a new starter up company for aviation simualtion. The possible focused fields are on software first: 1. Airport graphics2. Pilot interface and training software3. Aircraft simulation 6 DOF Any suggstions regarding the niche of the simulation market for a starter up business? Thanks.

Wait for MS Flight because you may end up developing addon's for a market that is disappearing as people begin to move into MS Flight. Their are a lot of really good developers for FSX doing great stuff already, you would have to try and do better at a time when the others already have years of development behind FSX and a solid market share, and the time frame for FSX will run out in a few years anyways. By the time you have software to sell you may only have a few FSX Die-hards to market to as many others will move onto MS Flight.

A few disconnected thoughts: Be aware that not everyone has the lastest top-of-the-line machine. Designing for the next generation of computer, which Microsoft and others seem to do, slows down early acceptance of a product because many people can't run it. For the same reason, don't ignore the large base of FS9 users still actively using and buying products. There was a discussion on another thread about the pricing policy of add-ons. Personally, I think that a lot of these products could actually make higher profits if they were sold for a much lower price. Since they are generally downloads, the incremental cost for each sale is very small. So, instead of making 10 sales at $20, consider making 100 sales at $5. I used to fly FS2002, and after a system crash I gave up for years, and finally came back and bought FS9. One thing I noticed that has not changed is the Voice Pack stuff. (I am not an FSX user, so I can't comment on that, but I think a comment from an FSX user would clarify this.) At one time, I thought of writing a program called Voice Builder. The program would "speak" each phrase in the Voice Pack vocabulary, and then record the user's voice as he repeats the phrase. This would eventually compile an entire "voice" for the simulation. It would need some thought. First, it needs a bit of smarts to trim the leading and trailing edges of the voice file. It would probably want to repeat the phrase and allow the user to either accept it or repeat the entry. It would have to remember where you were in the process, as this would take quite a few hours to do, and it's unlikely anyone would want to do it in one sitting. It should allow the user to select any existing "voice" as the "sample." Although the normal operation would not require it very often, a pop-up wave file editor would help the advanced user resolve issues with "automation" of the trimming and such. This tool itself would be one product, but another saleable item would be more "voices" themselves. For example, a European, Oriental or Australian voice pack would greatly enhance the realism of international sim-flying.

Are you taking about developing for the leisure market (FS9/FSX/Flight) or another market?

Yeah, I have the same question as mgh – would your sim software be for entertainment or professional use?.

Thanks for the discussion. It is planned for professional use. Ininitallly sell to aircraft company, big sim safety company as software supplier. But, I am not sure how to approach the market. What will be needed?

The market already seems saturated. Good luck.

You are going up against Lockeed Martin with Prepare 3D so you are going to need a ton of $$ and software that is better than FSX + what they have programmed into it.

Hmmm... One thought right off the bat here... I believe this is probably the wrong venue to be inquiring whether or not a commerical product for professional pilot training is a viable business venture. I don't know if this helps at all, but it might be a better place to ask. http://www.pprune.org/

Against Lockeed Martin or with Lockeed Martin? ;)I assume most customers use a third party to implement Prepar3D.And they have a forum too.. :)

Hmmm... One thought right off the bat here... I believe this is probably the wrong venue to be inquiring whether or not a commerical product for professional pilot training is a viable business venture. I don't know if this helps at all, but it might be a better place to ask. http://www.pprune.org/

I agree. The fact that the question is being asked here gives me no confidence in the product - whatever it might be.

Only thing I can suggest is going through Flight1 as your delivery option. They are easy to deal with, secure and seem to have some success agains piracy. Trying to go it alone will just result in your stuff ending up on the torrent sites. As an example the PMDG NGX was up in less than a week. Mark.

Well. Just want to hear all the voices. The software is more for professional, engineering usage. Pilot training assistant tools with voice capability as add on is a good thought. Or may be focus on aircraft H&Q for pilot training? Any thing as pilot, you may prefer to have ? What about New Airport graphics as 3D supplier. Will not running against anyone as starter up, more supplier role.

The important thing is just to take a step; and then another, and another.Just stay flexible; some steps take new directions.You don’t know where it goes, and don’t worry about that.You can be darn sure you’ll end up some place you didn’t expect...even out of aviation.You can’t see there from here and if you don’t take steps you never will ;)Lol, possibly risky advice, but I say luck and opportunity favor initiative.

Well. Just want to hear all the voices. The software is more for professional, engineering usage. Pilot training assistant tools with voice capability as add on is a good thought. Or may be focus on aircraft H&Q for pilot training? Any thing as pilot, you may prefer to have ? What about New Airport graphics as 3D supplier. Will not running against anyone as starter up, more supplier role.

You would generate more confidence if you appeared to know what your product will be and what's its target market.