WATCH: Midlands man pushes boundaries in aviation

PART FOUR IN OUR SERIES ON THE "MIDLANDS' MOST FASCINATING"

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – Decades after a Forest Acres man invents one of the world’s most popular flight simulation programs, Austin Meyer continues to push the boundaries in aviation.

“It’s just so easy to sit at the computer and answer email and code,” Meyer said. “I don’t really feel like I have to do something different to relax, because what I like to do is code on computers and fly airplanes.”

While he was in his early twenties, 26 years ago, Meyer was looking to brush up on his flying skills. So, he turned to Microsoft Flight Simulator, but the software was not as powerful as he wanted it to be.

“Classic case of, if you want the job done right, you just have to do it yourself,” he said, “and that’s why I wrote X-Plane. I wrote it so I could keep up my training as a pilot.”

That focus and drive cost him his place at Carnegie Mellon University. He was kicked-out for not maintaining GPA standards. Iowa State University was one of very few institutions that would give him a second chance. Meyer graduated with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. X-Plane become available in 1995. He originally thought it would allow him to pay his next rent. The software went on to become a major player among manufacturers like Boeing and NASA, looking to pinpoint how a future aircraft might fly.

Five years ago, Meyer created Xavian. The iPhone application draws the instruments of your cockpit on your iPhone so if they fail, you can keep flying safely. If your engine fails, the app also plans a route down to the nearest runway to glide to a safe landing.

Beyond constantly improving both Xavian and X-Plane, Meyer is also developing a next generation air traffic control system that uses wifi  instead of the standard two way radio. It’s his way of pushing back against what he sees as an antiquated system.

“Since only one person can talk at a time, the system can’t scale up with increasing demand,” he said. “Since the systems can’t scale up, we’re still stuck in airliners that are getting delayed.”

Meyer said he gives about $1 million dollars a year to charity. Three years ago, he started a scholarship fund for one rising South Carolina high school freshman. He provides a four-year, full ride to St. Paul’s Prep School in Concord, N.H. Meyer attended the school.

Meyer could live anywhere in the world, but he and his wife have chosen the Midlands to raise their five-year-old daughter. Meyer grew up here.

“I wouldn’t live anywhere else,” Meyer said, “I mean, I just love South Carolina. I mean, where else do you get Pawley’s Island, cool winters, warm summers, nice people, beautiful trees. I mean, there’s nowhere else I want to live. Yeah, I’ll take South Carolina over anywhere else.”