An Interview with Eddie Forrester – Founder of Aerobytes

Q: Eddie, let’s start with the big picture. What is Aerobytes all about?

We’ve been around since 2001, so we’re definitely not the new kids on the block. Aerobytes is a mature, independent company focused solely on providing world-class Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) software. Over the years, we’ve become one of the most trusted names in the industry. Today, we support over 300 clients across the globe, and what’s especially rewarding is that about half of our new business comes from recommendations. That’s a powerful vote of confidence.

Q: That kind of loyalty doesn’t come easy. What’s behind it?

It’s a mix of things. First, we’re independent—we’re not owned or controlled by a larger parent company, which means we’re able to make fast, user-focused decisions. Second, our software is powerful but genuinely easy to use, and incredibly stable. And then there’s our support… I can confidently say it’s second to none. We’ve built a reputation on being there when our clients need us—no hidden extras, no nickel-and-diming. Everything’s included.

Q: You mentioned support. That can make or break software experience. What’s Aerobytes’ approach?

We’ve always taken support very seriously. Complex software can confuse even the most seasoned user at times, and in aviation, help needs to come quickly. Unlike many 9-to-5 operations, our team is responsive seven days a week. We don’t take pride in working 9 days out of 14—we aim to respond 14 out of 14. That’s the level of commitment our clients expect, and that’s what we deliver.

Q: And what about the product itself? What sets it apart from other FDM systems?

When we give demos, we often get a “Wow!” or “Really?” from people, and that gives us all the feedback we need. Aerobytes is packed with features that surprise people—especially those who’ve been using legacy or overly complex systems. But more than that, it’s about the long-term experience. Our clients get that same “wow” moment every few months when we roll out new features. We never stop improving. Complacency is our enemy.

Q: What are some of the time-saving features you’re most proud of?

Automation is a big one. If you’re still manually replaying data or generating reports like EHM or APM, it’s time to talk to us. Aerobytes automates as much as possible, so users can focus on meaningful insights, instead of repetitive tasks. It’s about giving time back to the operator.

Q: Let’s talk analysis. What’s unique about your approach?

Where do I begin? First off, our analysis tools are powerful, reliable, and completely flexible. Want to define new events or update how you evaluate historical data? No problem—our system lets you do it easily and without extra cost. If we can do it, so can you. That’s the ethos.

Another thing is how we deal with false events. Every FDM system will throw a few, but we’ve developed proprietary techniques to significantly reduce them. That means less time wasted and more focus on what really matters.

Q: And what do you mean regarding a “value-led” analysis approach? 

It’s one of our big differentiators. Most systems only generate events—so if you land at 1.8G and the threshold is 1.7, you get a “hard landing” event. But what if you landed at 1.69G? You wouldn’t see anything—and you’d have no idea how close you were.

Aerobytes flips that. We start with collecting all the values—key measurements—throughout the flight. Then we apply limits and create events if needed. This way, you get the full picture. You can also override limits based on context—like tighter ones for short runways, or different tail-strike parameters for different aircraft types. It gives you flexibility and deeper insight.

Q: That sounds like a lot of value packed into one system. What’s your message to operators who haven’t tried Aerobytes yet?

Just give us a call. A quick demo won’t cost you anything, but it might completely change how you look at FDM. We’ve spent over two decades refining this software and building relationships. Aerobytes isn’t just about technology—it’s about trust, support, and doing the right thing by our clients.