The sky could be the limit, or at least virtually, for one hotshot Havant electronic design company which is tapping into the surging demand for flight simulators by creating detailed replicas of some of the biggest airports in the world.
Inside a small office in the Langstone Technology Park is perhaps not the most obvious place to find a company on the cutting edge of digitally reproducing international airports but it is the location for Turbulent Designs – which was a finalist in the first Havant Small Business Awards earlier this year.
The team of four came close to scooping the best new business prize at the awards hosted by Havant MP Alan Mak, having formed in 2014 as an independent designer. The company works on both Microsoft’s Flight Simulator and PrePar3D to create high-quality add-ons for flight enthusiasts.
The team came together to give flight simulator gamers a more detailed, smoother and overall more realistic experience. The real world locations are in high definition with even details down to the last blade of grass closely modelled.
They also work on specialist training simulators such as a model of the South African Antarctic Ice Breaker Agulhas II which was developed to train search and rescue pilots.
Chief Executive Trevor Linn from Turbulent Designs said: “Since we were a finalist in Alan’s Small Business Awards this year we have grown from four to nine developers and now looking to expand by two more coders. We have trebled our turn over and hope to expand further over the next 18 months.
“Turbulent have expanded their market place to develop for commercial simulation and entertainment markets having also won contracts for military and marine markets,” he added. “It’s great to have the backing of our local MP who understands the work that small SMEs put into growing our company and working with local talented designers and developers. We hope to go on to win next year to keep the future bright for Turbulent Designs.”
Mr Mak hailed the start-up which he said is carrying on the “proud tradition” Havant has in the software industry. Following their success in being nominated in the Small Business Awards, Mr Mak made a visit to the team to get an update on their progress. It follows a series of meetings that the MP has held with a range of winners and finalists to see how they are getting on.
He said: “Turbulent Designs is an innovative company and has been an excellent addition to the Langstone Technology Park. They were worthy finalists in the new business category and I will be watching their progress closely. As the chairman of Parliament’s all-arty group on Entrepreneurship I’m proud to back exciting new businesses locally and nationally.”
The Awards, which were designed to showcase and celebrate the best of local business, saw hundreds of residents cast nominations for their local favourites across twelve categories.
The Portsmouth News were the media partner for this year’s Awards held at South Downs College, and will be profiling a range of local businesses who triumphed at this year’s Awards.