What Air avionics does

AIR Avionics is the trade brand of Garrecht Avionik GmbH, a privately held, owner-managed German avionics manufacturer formed from the 2013 merger and 2017 full fusion of Garrecht Avionik and Butterfly Avionics. The company designs, certifies, and produces safety-critical cockpit electronics for the general aviation market from production facilities in Walldorf and Bingen (registered office in Wackernheim), under EASA Part 21G production, Part 145 maintenance, and Development Organization approvals with associated TSO, STC, and Minor Change approvals. Its product portfolio centers on three integrated systems: the AIR Control Display (ACD-57) cockpit interface, AIR Traffic transceivers (AT-1 for European FLARM/ADS-B/Mode-S markets; AT-2 with dual-link 1090+UAT ADS-B for the US/Canada/Australia markets), and AIR Traffic Displays (ATD-57/80/11). Adjacent product lines include the AIR COM (AC-1) VHF radio, AIR Glide variometers, VT display units, the TRX legacy transponder series, and AIR Connect integration hardware; the installed base exceeds 40,000 systems.

Revenue derives from a mix of avionics hardware sales, perpetual and bundled software licenses that unlock ACD-57 functionality (control of third-party radios from TRIG, uAvionix, BECKER, F.U.N.K.E., TQ/Dittel, plus altimeter functions), recurring COMM station database subscriptions (free for two years post-purchase, then paid entitlements), and a flat-rate direct device-exchange repair service introduced in 2023 that ships replacements within one to two business days. Distribution runs through a worldwide dealer network of Part-145 maintenance organizations, flying schools, aircraft dealers, and aircraft OEMs for certified installations, with direct-to-customer e-commerce via AIR Store in Europe.

The company is entirely self-financed with no outside investors. Five managing directors (Joachim Fetzer, Tobias Fetzer, Marc F\u00f6rderer, Georg Garrecht, and Johannes Garrecht) remain active in operations, and most engineering, sales, and support staff are active pilots, a positioning that anchors the value proposition of compact, intuitive, "pilot-designed" avionics. Marketing is conducted through the company website, newsletter, knowledge base, and tutorial videos, while direct sales are concentrated in Europe through AIR Store.

Name

Air avionics

Legal name

Garrecht Avionik GmbH

Website

https://air-avionics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AIR Avionics designs, certifies, and manufactures compact integrated avionics — ADS-B/FLARM/Mode-S traffic systems, VHF COMM radios, and cockpit control displays — for the general aviation market, selling through a worldwide dealer network and directly via AIR Store in Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

General Aviation Avionics

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Surveillance & Identification Avionics (ADS-B/Transponders/TCAS) (IMABAFAM)

Keywords

• General aviation avionics
• ADS-B traffic systems
• VHF communication radios
• FLARM collision avoidance
• Mode-S transponders

Headquarters

HQ city

Heidelberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Avionics Hardware Sales: Sale of aircraft avionics equipment including transponders, control displays, traffic receivers, and traffic displays to end customers, OEMs, maintenance organizations, and dealers.
2. Software Licenses: Revenue from selling license codes to unlock premium software functions in ACD-57, such as control of TQ KRT, BECKER radios, and altimeter functions.
3. Database Subscriptions: COMM station database updates sold with 2 years free entitlement, then available for purchase at transparent pricing covering database maintenance costs.
4. Repair and Exchange Services: Flat-rate repair exchange program where defective devices are swapped for equivalent or newer units at fixed pricing, including goodwill pricing for total loss cases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AIR Avionics designs, manufactures, and sells certified avionics hardware and software for general aviation, including VHF communication radios (AIR COM AC-1), ADS-B/Mode-S transponders, traffic detection systems (AIR Traffic AT-1 for European airspace, AT-2 for US/Canada/Australia combining FLARM, ADS-B and Mode-S), a multi-function control display (AIR Control Display ACD-57), and traffic displays (ATD-57/80/11). The company generates revenue from hardware sales, software license add-ons, COMM station database subscriptions, and flat-rate repair/exchange services, distributed through AIR Store in Europe, a global dealer network, aircraft OEM partnerships, and Part-145 maintenance organizations.

Product overview

AIR Avionics is a German avionics company offering a unified portfolio of certified aviation electronics for general aviation. The product line centers on three integrated systems: AIR Control Display (ACD-57) as the primary cockpit interface managing VHF COMM radios and transponders; AIR Traffic systems (AT-1 for Europe, AT-2 for US/CA/AU) providing ADS-B/FLARM/Mode-S traffic detection and collision warning; and AIR Traffic Displays (ATD-57, ATD-80, ATD-11) showing traffic and weather data. Supporting products include AIR COM (AC-1) radios, TRX transponder series, VT display units, AIR Glide glide ratio displays, and AIR Connect integration devices. Software-based add-on licenses unlock features like third-party radio/transponder control, altimeter functions, and wind/CO sensor connectivity. The company sells directly in Europe via AIR STORE and through a worldwide dealer network, with full EASA Part 21G/145 and development certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AIR Control Display: Compact multi-function control heads for VHF COMM and ADS-B transponders, including the ACD-57 model.
• AIR Traffic
• AIR Traffic Display
• AIR COM
• AIR Control Display 57 (ACD-57)
• AIR Glide
• Butterfly Avionics

Products and services

• AIR Control Display 57 (ACD-57) Compact multi-function control head for VHF COMM radios and ADS-B transponders with integrated display, TSO-certified altimeter functions, and software-license-based add-on capabilities for controlling third-party radios and transponders (TRIG, uAvionix, BECKER, F.U.N.K.E., TQ/Dittel). Designed for general aviation cockpits.
• AIR COM (AC-1) Ultra-small VHF COMMUNICATION radio with a compact design suitable for general aviation aircraft cockpits where space is constrained. Designed for clear voice communication and integration with AIR Avionics control heads.
• AIR Traffic (AT-1) Traffic detection system tailored for European airspace. Detects FLARM, ADS-B (1090), and Mode-S traffic while transmitting FLARM data. Features the latest PowerFLARM technology with extended range and antenna diversity, plus region-based automatic frequency selection. Configurable wirelessly via web browser. Recognizes over 50,000 FLARM users worldwide.
• AIR Traffic (AT-2) Traffic detection system for the US, Canada, and Australia featuring the latest dual-link ADS-B technology (1090 ES and UAT) and additionally detecting non-ADS-B (Mode-S) traffic. Provides ADS-B weather and traffic information for pilots in those markets.
• AIR Traffic Display (ATD-57, ATD-80, ATD-11) Modern traffic and weather data display systems available in three sizes (ATD-57, ATD-80, ATD-11) with radar-style visualization. Compatible with all FLARM and ADS-B systems. ATD-57 is a compact round-cutout display approximately 150g with robust metal housing; ATD-80 is a larger round-cutout display approximately 210g with high visibility in bright sunlight; ATD-11 is an external mounting variant approximately 110g. Hardware is DO-160 environmental qualified, DO-254 hardware qualified, and ETSO-C113 compliant.
• Repair and Exchange Services Quick replacement service for defective AIR Avionics devices at fixed, flat-rate repair prices calculated based on average repair cost. Exchange devices are new or factory-refurbished, shipped same business day with full one-year warranty. Goodwill pricing available for total loss cases. Hundreds of repairs processed annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80% of flight traffic received in Central Europe under FL100 on weekends
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TRIG AvionicscoreTechnology or IntegrationACD-57 software license available for controlling TRIG TT-21/TT-22 transponder systems and TRIG TY-91/TY-92 VHF radio systems with AIR Control Display.
• uAvionixcoreTechnology or IntegrationACD-57 software license available for controlling uAvionix Tailbeacon X transponder systems with AIR Control Display.
• BECKER FlugfunkgerätecoreTechnology or IntegrationACD-57 software license for controlling BECKER RT-62o1/AR-6201 radio systems. Bundles available without additional software license costs.
• F.U.N.K.E. AvionicscoreTechnology or IntegrationACD-57 software license for controlling F.U.N.K.E. ATR-833S/ATR-833 Box radio systems with AIR Control Display.
• TQ/Dittel (KRT-2)coreTechnology or IntegrationACD-57 software license for controlling TQ/Dittel KRT-2 radio systems. Bundles available without additional software license costs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• uAvionix: uAvionix is a direct competitor in low-cost certified ADS-B In/Out and Mode-S transponders (e.g., Tailbeacon X, echoUAT), and is integrated with AIR Avionics' ACD-57 — a direct product overlap in the US/CA/AU ADS-B retrofit market.
• FLARM Technology: FLARM is the originator of the FLARM collision-warning protocol used across European GA and gliding; AIR Avionics' AT-1 detects and transmits FLARM data, making FLARM the most direct protocol-level peer in the company's traffic stack.
• TRIG Avionics: TRIG makes compact certified transponders (TT-21/TT-22) and VHF radios (TY-91/TY-92) that directly compete with AIR Avionics' transponder and ACD-57 ecosystem, and are controllable from the ACD-57 via software license.
• F.U.N.K.E. Avionics: F.U.N.K.E. produces certified Mode-S transponders and ATR-833 VHF radios that compete with AIR Avionics' TRX/AT product lines, and is integrated with ACD-57 as a third-party radio partner — directly comparable in European certified GA.
• FreeFlight Systems: FreeFlight Systems manufactures certified ADS-B In/Out and transponder solutions for GA and rotorcraft, with overlapping functionality in the US ADS-B retrofit market where AIR Avionics sells the AT-2.
• BECKER Flugfunkgeräte: BECKER is a German maker of certified VHF COMM radios (AR-6201, RT-6201) that overlap with AIR Avionics' AIR COM (AC-1) and are integrated with the ACD-57 control head — a direct product-line peer in the European certified COMM market.
• TQ / Dittel (KRT-2 radio): TQ/Dittel is a German maker of certified VHF COMM radios (KRT-2) and other avionics that directly compete with AIR Avionics' AIR COM and ACD-57 ecosystem, and is one of the integrated radio partners for ACD-57.

Broad incumbents

• Garmin Aviation: Garmin dominates the certified GA avionics market with integrated cockpit stacks (GTN, G1000, TXi) that compete head-on with AIR Avionics' ACD-57 and ATD lines for retrofit and OEM slots, but at a much broader portfolio scale.

Emerging players

• Appareo / Stratus (ADS-B receivers): Appareo's Stratus line of portable ADS-B receivers and ESG transponders is an emerging competitor in low-cost traffic-awareness products, partially overlapping AIR Avionics' AT-1/AT-2 use cases from a price-sensitive segment.
• Dynon Avionics: Dynon makes certified and experimental avionics suites (SkyView, Advanced Flight Systems) including transponders and traffic displays, and is increasingly active in the certified retrofit market alongside AIR Avionics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AirAvionics
• Facebookfacebook.com/air.avionics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/air-avionics

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Air avionics