Privacy Policy

Overview

Avionics Buddy is a companion ecosystem for Microsoft Flight Simulator, with apps for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Android, and Avionics Buddy FlightBridge for Windows. Companion apps connect to FlightBridge running on your Windows PC over your local network. No Avionics Buddy account is required, and simulator telemetry is not uploaded to Billie Jennsen Instruments.

This policy covers the companion apps, FlightBridge, the Avionics Buddy website, and the Avionics Control Buddy 11 waiting list. Online weather, website analytics, and information you choose to submit are described separately below.

What data Avionics Buddy processes

• Flight telemetry data — FlightBridge obtains simulator telemetry through SimConnect and makes it available to the companion app over your local network. It is not uploaded to Billie Jennsen Instruments.
• Airport and runway preferences — favourites and selected runways are stored on the companion device where supported.
• FlightBridge pairing data — local connection information, such as the IP address, port, and connection URLs, is saved on the companion device to make reconnection easier. It is not sent to Billie Jennsen Instruments.
• Other local app data — settings, accumulated simulated flight statistics, awards, challenge progress, and cached weather may be stored on the device, depending on the platform and features used.

Android excludes FlightBridge pairing information from cloud backup and device transfer. Other Android app data, including preferences and accumulated flight statistics, is eligible for operating-system backup and transfer, depending on your device settings. Local storage does not mean that operating-system backups are disabled.

Local network and FlightBridge

FlightBridge communicates with Microsoft Flight Simulator using SimConnect on your Windows PC. It then sends simulator telemetry to the companion app over your local network using WebSocket. This connection does not route telemetry through Billie Jennsen Instruments or third-party servers. Internet-based features such as weather requests are separate from this connection.

No user account required

No Avionics Buddy account, sign-up, or login is required to use the companion apps or FlightBridge. Apple, Google, or Microsoft may require a platform account to download software from their respective stores. Avionics Buddy does not ask you to provide those account credentials to Billie Jennsen Instruments.

No cloud telemetry

Live simulator telemetry — including position, altitude, speed, heading, and other MSFS variables — passes from Microsoft Flight Simulator through SimConnect to FlightBridge, then to the companion app locally. It is not uploaded to Billie Jennsen Instruments. Locally saved statistics may be included in operating-system backups as described above; these are separate from the live telemetry connection.

Internet-based features

The Apple and Android apps request aviation weather (METAR) from the Aviation Weather Center at aviationweather.gov. These requests send the airport or weather-station ICAO identifier and options needed to retrieve the report, rather than your simulator position or flight telemetry. The service also receives normal connection information, such as your IP address and an app-identifying request header.

Links to the mission catalogue, support website, and other external pages open online services. Those services handle visits under their own privacy practices. These visits are separate from the local simulator connection.

App analytics and crash reporting

The companion apps and FlightBridge do not integrate dedicated advertising, app analytics, or crash-reporting SDKs. Android does use Google Code Scanner for QR pairing, with auto-zoom enabled. Google documents collection of device and app information, identifiers, performance and error information, and scanning-session and auto-zoom data for diagnostics and usage analytics. This is separate from MSFS flight telemetry.

For details, see Google's ML Kit data disclosure. If these integrations change, this policy will be updated.

Website analytics

The Avionics Buddy website uses Google Analytics only if you choose to accept analytics cookies in the website banner. This helps us understand general website interest, including useful pages and visitors' regions, so we can improve the website and its content.

Google Analytics is not initialized until analytics consent has been given. If you decline analytics, the website continues to function normally without Google Analytics. Your choice is saved in your browser for future visits when browser storage is available.

Website analytics are separate from the Avionics Buddy companion apps and FlightBridge and do not receive Microsoft Flight Simulator telemetry. We do not use advertising cookies or sell website analytics data.

Third-party data

Airport and runway data includes data from OurAirports, an open data project. The airport database is used locally; looking up a record does not send your preferences or telemetry to OurAirports. Online weather requests are described separately above. Avionics Buddy is not affiliated with OurAirports.

Airport and runway data may be incomplete or inaccurate. It is provided for simulation entertainment purposes only.

Avionics Control Buddy 11 waiting list

The Avionics Control Buddy 11 first-batch waiting list collects your email address and country, plus optional details you choose to share: intended use case, experience level, quantity interest, and a message. It also sends your consent confirmation, submission page, and a submission identifier. This information is used to notify you about first-batch availability and understand demand. Submission requires your explicit consent via the form's checkbox.

Submissions are sent to our Google-hosted backend for processing and storage. We do not sell waiting-list information or share it for third-party marketing. Service providers process it to operate the waiting list. To request deletion, contact us at the email address below.

Children's privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through the waiting list or support contact. The companion apps and FlightBridge do not require an account or upload simulator telemetry to us; online weather and platform services are described above. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us, contact us to request deletion.

Data retention

Companion app preferences, pairing information, and saved progress or statistics remain in device storage, subject to operating-system backup settings. Use available reset controls or your platform's app-data controls to remove local data. Uninstalling software may leave files or backups, depending on the platform.

Waiting-list information is retained for availability updates and demand planning unless you request deletion. Information you send to support is kept to handle your inquiry. Website analytics data is retained separately by Google Analytics according to the site's analytics settings.

Your rights

Contact the address below to ask about, correct, or request deletion of waiting-list or support information you have submitted. We do not hold your local companion app data or live simulator telemetry on our servers. Manage local data and backups through your device or platform settings. You can also contact us with questions about website analytics data.

Simulation-only disclaimer

Avionics Buddy and FlightBridge are designed exclusively for use with Microsoft Flight Simulator as an entertainment application. They are not certified for, intended for, or suitable for real-world navigation, flight training, flight planning, or any operational aviation purpose. Do not use Avionics Buddy or FlightBridge as a substitute for certified avionics, official charts, or professional flight training.

Trademark notices

Microsoft Flight Simulator, SimConnect, and related names, logos, and marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Avionics Buddy, FlightBridge, and Billie Jennsen Instruments are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Microsoft, Asobo Studio, Working Title, or any aircraft manufacturer referenced within the app.

Changes to this policy

If this policy is updated, the "last updated" date at the top of the page will change. Significant changes will be communicated via an app update.