What McFarlane Aviation does

McFarlane Aviation Products is a privately held designer, manufacturer, and distributor of FAA-PMA approved replacement parts for general aviation aircraft, headquartered in Baldwin City, Kansas. Founded in 1971 and operating from a 120,000 square foot manufacturing facility, the company stocks over 40,000 parts from more than 40 quality brands and serves individual aircraft owners, mechanics, repair shops, FBOs, flight schools, flying clubs, air taxi operators, and parts distributors. Its product portfolio spans push-pull controls, flight control cables and chains, seat rails, fuel system components, engine baffles, landing gear, exhaust components, lighting, and tooling, with multiple wholly-owned sub-brands including Airforms (engine baffles), CJ Aviation (fuel pumps with FAA/EASA repair station), Flight Resource (MT Propeller distribution with STCs), PMA Products, and McFarlane Alaska (Alaskan Bushwheels and Airframes Alaska for bush pilots).

The business model is anchored in hardware sales of FAA-PMA approved parts that are engineered to be superior quality with longer service life and lower prices than OEM alternatives, complemented by third-party brand distribution and custom engineering services for obsolete parts replacement. Revenue streams include PMA parts sales, distribution of third-party brands, custom product manufacturing, FAA Repair Station maintenance/overhaul services, and core return exchange programs (Dukes, Weldon, Parker, Howden, CJ Aviation fuel pumps). Distribution combines direct e-commerce via mcfarlaneaviation.com with same-day shipping and a global network of authorized distributors covering North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia/Oceania, and Central/Eastern Europe.

Since being acquired by Vance Street Capital in October 2021, the company has executed a roll-up strategy anchored by the June 2022 acquisition of Airforms, expanded into Alaska with the April 2026 launch of the McFarlane Alaska brand and multi-site operations in Palmer, Anchorage, and Fairbanks, added AD-compliance product lines via a January 2026 Hutch Aviation partnership, and entered flight training services at Vinland Aerodrome. The company is led by President Dave McFarlane and operates under the parent holding company Victor Sierra.

Name

McFarlane Aviation

Legal name

McFarlane Aviation, LLC

Website

https://mcfarlaneaviation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

McFarlane Aviation Products designs, manufactures, and distributes over 40,000 FAA-PMA approved replacement parts and third-party brands for general aviation aircraft owners, mechanics, repair shops, FBOs, and distributors worldwide from its Kansas headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

General Aviation Parts Manufacturing

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Parts Distribution & Spares Management (Aftermarket) (IMABALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aviation MRO Parts & Consumables Distribution (TLAKAOAI), MRO Engineering, Technical Publications & CAMO Support (IMABALAO), Landing Gear & Wheel/Brake MRO (TLAKAJAD), Component MRO (LRU/Rotables, Hydraulics, Pneumatics) (IMABALAD)

Keywords

• General aviation parts
• FAA-PMA replacement parts
• Aircraft components
• Flight control systems
• Maintenance repair overhaul

Headquarters

HQ city

Baldwin City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. PMA Parts Sales: Direct sales of FAA-PMA approved replacement parts for popular aircraft models including Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, and homebuilt aircraft. Products are engineered to be superior quality with longer service life at lower prices than original manufacturers.
2. Distribution of Third-Party Brands: Distribution of over 40,000 parts from over 40 quality brands including Alaskan Bushwheels, MT Propellers, CJ Aviation fuel pumps, Airforms baffles, and PMA Products
3. Custom Product Manufacturing: Custom engineering and manufacturing services for replacement of obsolete parts or custom engineering solutions
4. Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul Services: FAA Repair Station providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul services on select aviation products including fuel pumps, starters, carburetors, alternators, magnetos, and trim tab actuators
5. Core Return Processing: Exchange programs for cores including Dukes, Weldon, Parker, Howden, and CJ Aviation fuel pumps with refund processing

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

McFarlane Aviation designs, manufactures, and distributes FAA-PMA approved replacement parts for general aviation aircraft, stocking over 40,000 parts from more than 40 brands across categories including push-pull controls, flight control cables, engine baffles, fuel pumps, propellers, brake and wheel components, lighting, and seat rails. The company also operates an FAA Repair Station for fuel pump, starter, carburetor, alternator, magneto, and trim tab actuator overhaul, and offers custom engineering and design services for obsolete part replacements.

Product overview

McFarlane Aviation Products is a parts distribution and manufacturing company offering 40,000+ FAA-PMA approved replacement parts for general aviation aircraft. The company operates multiple sub-brands: McFarlane (core replacement parts with strengths in push-pull controls, cables, and machined components), McFarlane Alaska (Alaskan Bushwheels and Airframes for backcountry operations), Flight Resource (MT Propeller distributor with STC coverage), CJ Aviation (fuel pump replacements and repair services with FAA/EASA certification), Airforms (engine baffle kits acquired in 2022), and PMA Products (affordable parts for Piper, Beechcraft, Cessna, Embraer, and Pratt & Whitney). The portfolio also includes carb heat parts, exhaust components, fuel system components, landing gear, lighting, seat components, and maintenance tools. Services include custom design and manufacturing (120,000 sq ft facility), maintenance, repair and overhaul through an FAA Repair Station, and core return programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• McFarlane Alaska: Brand consolidating Alaskan Bushwheels and Airframes Alaska product lines for bush pilots operating in demanding Alaskan conditions.
• Flight Resource
• CJ Aviation
• Airforms
• PMA Products

Products and services

• McFarlane FAA-PMA Replacement Parts (Core Brand) McFarlane-brand FAA-PMA approved replacement parts for general aviation aircraft, with strengths in push-pull controls (including vernier controls), swaged flight control cables and chains, and sheet metal and machined components. Targeted at Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, and homebuilt aircraft owners and mechanics seeking higher-quality, longer-service-life alternatives to OEM parts at lower prices.
• McFarlane Alaska (Alaskan Bushwheels and Airframes Alaska) Backcountry-proven aviation products including Alaskan Bushwheels, Wheels & Brakes, and Taildraggers, purpose-built for bush pilots operating in demanding Alaskan conditions. Sourced from Alaska Gear Company operations in Palmer, Anchorage (Merrill Field), and Fairbanks.
• Flight Resource MT Composite Propellers

Quantifiable outcome

• 50+ years in aviation parts business
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hutch AviationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 January 2026Partnership to distribute Cessna forward doorpost reinforcement service kits through McFarlane's distribution network. The kits address fatigue and cracking in forward doorpost areas on Cessna models 172, 182, 206, 207, and 210, providing an FAA-approved Alternative Method of Compliance for Airworthiness Directive 2020-18-01.
• Airforms, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022McFarlane acquired Airforms, Inc. in June 2022 as its first strategic move since being acquired by Vance Street Capital in October 2021. Airforms is a premier manufacturer of FAA-PMA replacement baffle kits and components for Beechcraft, Cessna, Cirrus, Grumman, Mooney, and Piper aircraft.
• MT PropellerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlight Resource (part of McFarlane family) is MT Propeller's oldest and largest distributor in the world. They hold multiple Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) authorizing MT Composite Propeller installation on thousands of popular aircraft including Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, Maule, Mooney, and more. MT Propellers are in stock ready to ship next day.
• Alaska Gear CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlaska Gear Company is part of McFarlane Alaska brand, distributing Alaskan Bushwheels and Airframes Alaska products. Operations in Palmer, Anchorage, and Fairbanks Alaska serve the backcountry and bush pilot market.
• CJ AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCJ Aviation offers FAA-PMA direct replacements for Dukes and Weldon fuel pumps on Beechcraft, Cessna, Diamond, Maule, Mooney, Lake, Navion, and Piper aircraft. Operates FAA/EASA certified repair station in Kansas specializing in fuel pumps and hydraulic pumps. Now part of McFarlane Aviation family.
• Flight ResourcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlight Resource owns several Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for MT Propeller installation and is one of MT Propeller's oldest and largest distributors. Part of McFarlane Aviation family.
• PMA ProductsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPMA Products offers FAA-PMA approved parts for Piper, Beechcraft, Cessna, Embraer, and Pratt & Whitney engine applications. Part of McFarlane Aviation family.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Airforms Inc. Premier FAA-PMA replacement engine baffle kit manufacturer for Beechcraft, Cessna, Cirrus, Grumman, Mooney and Piper; absorbed into McFarlane Aviation in June 2022. Directly comparable PMA niche where McFarlane and the standalone Airforms brand historically competed.
• Airparts Company: Florida-based aviation parts distributor serving both general aviation and commercial markets. Competes with McFarlane in distribution of replacement airframe and engine parts through similar mail-order and dealer relationships.
• PMA Products: Wholly-owned McFarlane sub-brand offering FAA-PMA approved aircraft engine parts for Piper, Beechcraft, Cessna, Embraer and Pratt & Whitney. Within the McFarlane family it is the closest internal proxy for a stand-alone PMA-focused peer.
• Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. The largest US distributor of general-aviation parts and pilot supplies, with multiple US warehouses and a massive SKU catalog. Direct competitor in mail-order PMA and OEM replacement parts for Cessna, Piper and homebuilt categories where McFarlane also competes.
• SkyGeek: Online-first aviation parts distributor targeting owners, mechanics and FBOs. Overlaps with McFarlane's direct e-commerce channel and broad third-party-brand catalog in the same Cessna, Piper and Beechcraft aftermarket.

Broad incumbents

• Lycoming Engines: OEM of Lycoming piston engines dominating the Cessna/Piper/Beechcraft fleet that McFarlane's parts support. Functions as both the dominant upstream incumbent whose parts McFarlane replaces with PMA alternates and an indirect competitor through its own service parts network.
• Continental Aerospace Technologies: OEM of Continental aircraft engines with established PMA, parts and overhaul programs across the general aviation fleet. Sits 'upstream' of McFarlane as both an engine supplier and a competitor in certified replacement parts for the platforms McFarlane supports.
• Champion Aerospace: Manufacturer of aircraft ignition components, spark plugs and magneto parts with FAA-PMA coverage across piston aircraft. Comparable in regulatory positioning (FAA-PMA, TSO) and in the airframe accessory categories McFarlane distributes and supports.
• Tempest (Unitech) Aerospace: Leading independent aftermarket supplier of Lycoming and Continental engine parts, accessories and ignition systems. Competes with the engine-side of McFarlane's PMA range and with CJ Aviation's fuel pump franchise for aftermarket share.

Emerging players

• MT-Propeller: German manufacturer of composite propellers; Flight Resource (a McFarlane subsidiary) is MT-Propeller's largest global distributor and STC partner. Comparable in distribution-led commercialization of certified propeller upgrades via STCs, the same mechanism McFarlane uses across its portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/McFarlaneAviation
• Facebookfacebook.com/McFarlaneAviation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mcfarlane-aviation-products
• Instagraminstagram.com/mcfarlane_aviation
• Xx.com/mcfarlaneavia

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about McFarlane Aviation