Flight Watch History
Our History
Our company was formed in 1982 as ASCO FLIGHT WATCH SYSTEMS, to provide a comprehensive software solution to the
corporate aviation industry. Our parent company at the time; ASCO SYSTEMS was the leading provider of turnkey
software solutions to the independent tire dealer industry.
Six years later, the company was bought by its principal employees and as a partner owned company, continued
business under the name of FLIGHT WATCH SYSTEMS. In 1991 the company was renamed as FLIGHT WATCH INTERNATIONAL to
recognize the global growth of the General Aviation Industry and Corporate Flight.
In 1997, one of the original Founders and current Group Chairman, V.T. Shyam took control of the corporation and,
recognizing the rapid changes in software developing and desktop applications, began re-engineering our company
products and preparing FLIGHT WATCH for the new Millennium.
Mr. Shyam led our aviation software company through the difficult dot-com period and successfully weathered
the impact on the global aviation industry from the terrible tragedies of 9-11. He was quick to recognize the
evolution of General Aviation with the advent of the VLJ class of aircraft, the growing interest in the air-taxi
business model and the fundamental changes to how the world looks at aviation security.
Shortly after 9-11, Mr. Shyam met Mark Sidebottom, an aviation veteran and co-founder of a small air taxi
software company and the two developed a close business relationship as they each shared a deep understanding of
General Aviation and the on-demand sectors.
Six years later, the two Principals formed a new Holding Company called Flight Watch Systems, which incorporates
their mission to deliver world-class software solutions to General Aviation including Corporate Flight, Air Charter,
Aerospace Manufacturers, Government Agencies, Air Taxi, On-demand Cargo and Air Travel Security.
In 2009, we entered into a strategic partnership with digital-x to offer
end to end enterprise solutions.
Time lines
1982- Founded in Atlanta, Georgia as a division of ASCO
1988- Spun off from ASCO as an independent, partner owned company
1991- Renamed Flight Watch International to accommodate the global growth of general aviation
1997- V.T. Shyam takes over as Chairman of the company
2002- Expands into aviation consulting
2007- Joins with Air Taxi Systems to co-develop products for new on-demand sector
2009- Teaming partnership with digital-x to offer end to end enterprise solutions