What Sage-Popovich does

Sage-Popovich, Inc. is a privately held, founder-controlled global aviation consulting and asset management firm headquartered in Valparaiso, Indiana, with primary operations at Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY). Founded in 1979 by Nick Popovich (now Chairman, with Petar Todorovic as President since March 2021), the company serves aviation lenders and lessors, attorneys and law firms, aircraft manufacturers, airlines, MROs, government entities, US bankruptcy courts and trustees, and individual aircraft owners. Service lines span the full aviation asset lifecycle: USPAP- and ASA-compliant valuations (with over $55 billion in cumulative assets valued), repossession and liquidation (2,000+ recoveries completed, milestone in September 2023), FAA Part 145 MRO through subsidiary TOGS Aircraft LLC (acquired March 2021, FAA Part 149 also held at the parent level), parts sales and inventory management via the AV Liquidators subsidiary operating a 75,000 sq. ft. temperature-controlled warehouse, aircraft remarketing and acquisition support, 24/7 AOG emergency response, private aviation charter, and Supplemental Type Certificates (Part #601PS-01) for Bombardier CL-600/CL-601 landing gear tires supplied through a Dunlop Aircraft Tyres partnership. The firm employs 51-100 people across multiple Northwest Indiana facilities.

The technology platform is operationally oriented rather than software-native: certified appraisal methodologies, FAA-certified maintenance workflows, a nationally cataloged aviation parts database, and dedicated AOG dispatch lines for maintenance and parts. There is no disclosed software product, no API, no mobile app, and no AI/ML capability. The proprietary asset is procedural and human — decades of compounded experience in recovering, valuing, storing, repairing, and remarketing aircraft and engines, supported by regulatory credentials (FAA Part 145, USPAP/ASA) that competitors must earn individually.

The business model is sales-led and quote-based, with multi-year professional services contracts and no publicly disclosed pricing. Revenue is generated through professional service fees (valuations, consulting, repossession, asset management), transaction fees on parts sales and charter bookings, and licensing royalties on STCs. The company markets primarily through direct sales, its own website, LinkedIn, Facebook, industry events (notably the Chi-Stat Golf Outing co-hosted with Vedder Price P.C.), earned media (Discovery Channel, ABC Nightline, Smithsonian, Wall Street Journal, Barron's), and philanthropy (Popovich Family Trust donations to Ivy Tech and Purdue aviation programs, Veterans Airlift Command support). Operations are global in claim though concentrated at the GYY hub, with active expansion underway via a second hangar announced for January 2026.

Name

Sage-Popovich

Legal name

Sage-Popovich, Inc.

Website

https://sage-popovich.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sage-Popovich is a global aviation consulting and asset management firm founded in 1979, serving aviation lenders, lessors, airlines, MROs, government, and individual aircraft owners with valuations, MRO maintenance (FAA Part 145 via TOGS), parts sales, repossession, remarketing, and charter services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Consulting and Asset Management

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

MRO Engineering, Technical Publications & CAMO Support (IMABALAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Component MRO (Avionics, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Electrical) (TLAKAJAC), MRO Shop & Component Overhaul (Wheels/Brakes, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Fuel) (EDAOAFAH), Private Aviation Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) (THABAFAI), Machinery, Equipment & Fixed Asset Appraisal (FSAEAHAK)

Keywords

• Aviation consulting services
• Aircraft asset management
• Aviation valuation appraisals
• Aircraft repossession services
• Aviation MRO maintenance

Headquarters

HQ city

Valparaiso

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aviation Consulting and Asset Management: Comprehensive consulting services including pre-purchase inspection, appraisals, portfolio monitoring, and long-term asset management for aviation assets. Revenue generated through professional service fees for technical expertise and strategic guidance.
2. MRO Maintenance and Repair Services: FAA Part 145 Repair Station providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Revenue from service contracts and per-incident maintenance work.
3. Part Sales and Consignment: Sale of aviation parts and components from extensive inventory. Operating through 75,000 sq. ft. warehouse with 24/7 availability for AOG support. Revenue from part sales and consignment fees.
4. Repossession and Liquidation Services: Global aviation asset repossession services and inventory liquidation. Includes aircraft ferry, storage, management of repairs/refurbishment, import/export assistance, and remarketing support.
5. Private Aviation/Charter Services: Private jet travel services connecting customers with trusted operators, offering light jets, turbo props, and ultra long-range jets with personalized concierge service.
6. Supplemental Type Certificates: STC services for nose and main landing gear tires for Bombardier CL-600 and CL-601 series aircraft through Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited partnership.
7. Aircraft Remarketing and Sales: Strategic aircraft acquisition and remarketing with acquisition support, objective valuation, technical due diligence, negotiation support, and closing management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sage-Popovich provides global aviation consulting and asset management services for aircraft, helicopters, engines, and aviation-related assets. Core offerings include certified appraisals (USPAP/ASA-compliant), aviation asset management, MRO and AOG maintenance through its TOGS FAA Part 145 Repair Station, parts sales via the 75,000 sq. ft. AV Liquidators warehouse, repossession and liquidation, consulting and technical advisory, Supplemental Type Certificates, aircraft remarketing, and private aviation charter services for lenders, lessors, airlines, MROs, attorneys, manufacturers, governments, and individual owners worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TOGS: FAA Part 145 Repair Station providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, from light to heavy turboprops, helicopters, corporate jets, and regional airline equipment.
• AV Liquidators

Products and services

• Aviation Valuation Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Completed 2,000th aviation asset repossession in 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vedder Price P.C.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2025Premier aviation law firm that sponsors the Chi-Stat Golf Outing, a Chicago-based group comprising aviation finance, marketing and consulting professionals. SPI is a founder and remains one of the hosts of this networking event.
• TOGS Aircraft, LLCcoreOthers · 22 March 2021FAA Part 145 Repair Station acquired by Sage-Popovich in 2021. TOGS has been in business for over 20 years maintaining fixed-wing and rotary aircraft from light to heavy turboprops, helicopters, corporate jets, and regional airline equipment.
• Dunlop Aircraft Tyres LimitedcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of Supplemental Type Certificates for nose and main landing gear tires for Bombardier CL-600 and CL-601 series aircraft. Sage-Popovich provides these certificates through this partnership.
• Chi-StatminorOthersChicago-based group comprising aviation finance, marketing and consulting professionals. SPI is a founder and remains one of the hosts of this informal networking group for individuals in the aviation industry.
• Veterans Airlift CommandminorOthersNon-profit organization providing transportation for America's wounded warriors. Nick Popovich received Hero Flight Zero award for significant contributions to VAC's mission.
• Cadence Business FinanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinated donation of multiple CF34 and ALF 502 jet engines from Cadence Business Finance to aviation mechanic training programs. Nick Popovich facilitated this donation to support aviation education.
• Ivy Tech Community CollegeminorOthersRecipient of Boeing 737 donation from Popovich Family Trust for creation of ETL 'Emergency Response Training Lab.' Also receives ongoing donations of aircraft, engines, equipment, and scholarships to promote aviation education.
• Purdue UniversityminorOthersReceives scholarships and support from Popovich Family Trust to promote aviation education.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Jet Aviation: Global aviation services group offering MRO, FBO, aircraft management, charter, and staffing. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering overlapping capabilities with Sage-Popovich's MRO, private aviation, and aircraft management services.
• West Star Aviation: Privately held business aviation MRO and completions provider operating multiple full-service facilities across the U.S. Direct overlap with Sage-Popovich's TOGS Part 145 MRO line on airframe, engine, and avionics services.
• Duncan Aviation: Large, well-established business aviation services company offering MRO, parts, avionics, and aircraft sales/management across multiple U.S. facilities. Comparable as an aviation services incumbent that intersects with Sage-Popovich's MRO (TOGS) and remarketing lines.
• StandardAero: One of the world's largest independent aerospace MRO providers with engine and component services across business, commercial, and helicopter platforms. Comparable scale aircraft/rotorcraft MRO competitor to Sage-Popovich's TOGS Part 145 operation.

Emerging players

• Aircraft Maintenance Support (AMS): Independent aviation services firm offering MRO and aircraft management consulting; relevant overlap with Sage-Popovich's TOGS Part 145 MRO and consulting services on a smaller scale.

Direct peers

• Aircraft Bluebook: Industry-standard aircraft valuation data provider used extensively by lenders, brokers, and operators. Direct competitor in market-data and advisory services for aviation asset pricing that Sage-Popovich competes against for valuation engagements.
• Vref (Aircraft Value Reference): Long-established provider of aircraft valuation references and appraisal services for business jets, turboprops, and helicopters. Direct competitor in the aviation asset valuation space where Sage-Popovich operates its USPAP/ASA-compliant appraisal desk.
• Charlie Bravo Aviation: Aircraft broker and remarketing firm serving buyers and sellers of business jets and turbine aircraft. Comparable to Sage-Popovich's remarketing and acquisition support service line for end-of-lease and resale transactions.
• CBRE (Aviation / Aircraft Valuation): CBRE's Aviation group provides aircraft appraisals, portfolio valuations, and consulting to financial institutions and operators. Competes for the same aviation asset valuation and consulting mandates as Sage-Popovich's appraisal desk.
• JLL (Aviation): JLL's aviation practice provides aircraft valuations, transaction advisory, and consulting services to operators, lenders, and investors. Direct overlap with Sage-Popovich's valuation and advisory offerings for aviation finance clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sagepopovichinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sage-popovich-inc-/?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Sage-Popovich