SocialFlight, an Internet site and mobile app that helps pilots pinpoint aviation events and destinations, is expanding internationally through partnerships with aviation industry leaders, said the Sudbury, Massachusetts-based startup.
Users, who numbered about 25,000 in July 2014, can now tap free information about almost 30,000 airports and 300,000 restaurants, hotels, transportation options, campgrounds, aviation businesses and attractions. In many cases, SocialFlight said, airport information includes current weather observations (METARs).
SocialFlight credited its rapid development since its post-AirVenture 2012 launch to partnerships with aviation industry leaders. organizations recently boosting SocialFlight’s capacity to promote general aviation included Continental Motors, Piper Aircraft, and navigation information company Jeppesen. The new partners joined sector participants including AOPA Insurance Services, Champion Aerospace, Sennheiser, Avidyne, Lightspeed Aviation, Spencer Aircraft, and ASL CamGuard, SocialFlight said.
SocialFlight’s mobile app and website graphically map more than 15,000 aviation events. Each week SocialFlight sends members a personalized event planner, which it said helps support local flying organizations and motivates pilots “to get out and fly.” SocialFlight also offers interactive tools for organizations such as aircraft owner groups.
“From the very beginning, we have been receiving calls and emails from all over the world, requesting that we help energize and promote general aviation throughout the international aviation community, building on the success we have had in North America.” said Jeff Simon, SocialFlight’s president. “We already have SocialFlight Ambassadors spreading the word and adding local aviation events in countries including Germany, South Africa, Norway, Australia and the Bahamas, and are seeking more volunteers.
“It’s a very exciting time and none of this would be possible without the incredible support we have received from our partners; the leading companies in general aviation,” he said.
