Glasair Aviation

What Glasair Aviation does

Glasair Aviation USA, LLC is a privately held kit aircraft manufacturer founded in 1980 and headquartered on the Arlington Municipal Airport in Arlington, Washington. The company designs, manufactures, and sells Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) aircraft kits to individual sport pilots and aviation enthusiasts who assemble the aircraft themselves, with 2,500+ kits sold cumulatively and 1,200+ currently flying across many countries. Its core platform is the Sportsman, a 4-seat single-piston aircraft configurable with interchangeable nose-wheel, tail-wheel, straight, or amphibious float landing gear and built around a Chromoly steel Safety Cage with a composite bonded fuselage (fiberglass or carbon fiber). The platform is sold as a Standard Kit (starting at $91,800) or a more complete Quick-Build Kit (starting at $119,850), with optional engines (Lycoming IO-360/IO-390 or Continental CD-155 diesel), propeller choices (Hartzell, MT), and eight avionics panel configurations (Garmin, Dynon, Advanced Flight Systems, with Aerotronics and Advanced Flight Systems as preferred panel fabricators).

The company's business model combines one-time kit sales with an ongoing parts and accessories business through a WooCommerce online store and recurring technical support services for the 1,200+ aircraft in the field. Historically, Glasair operated the "Two Weeks to Taxi" (TWTT) builder-assist program at its on-site Customer Assembly Center, where customers assembled their Sportsman in two weeks alongside Glasair professionals; this program is currently on hold through 2023. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer via the company's online configurator, in-house inside sales (phone and email), and a network of aviation fly-in events. The company is wholly owned by the Jilin Hanxing Group Co. Ltd. of China, which acquired it in 2012 and is supporting an ongoing type-certification project for the Sportsman to enable broader global distribution. Glasair divested its older Glasair II and III product lines to Advanced Aero Components in 2017 and currently focuses exclusively on the Sportsman program and legacy GlaStar support.

Name

Glasair Aviation

Website

https://glasairaviation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Glasair Aviation USA, founded 1980 in Arlington, Washington, designs and sells Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft kits — primarily the Sportsman 4-seat single-piston platform — to individual sport pilots who self-assemble the aircraft, supplemented by parts, accessories, and historical builder-assist services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Experimental Kit Aircraft Manufacturing

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft (3721)

akta.pro primary industry

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAJ)

Keywords

• Experimental aircraft kits
• Amateur-built aircraft
• Kitplane manufacturing
• Builder-assist aviation
• Composite aircraft design

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Kit Sales (Standard and Quick Build): One-time purchase of aircraft kits (fuselage, wings, tail) for Experimental Amateur-Built assembly. Standard kits from $91,800; Quick Build kits from $119,850. Engines and avionics sold separately or in packages.
2. Engine and Avionics Package Sales: Sale of engine options (IO-360 or IO-390) and seven propeller choices, eight different avionics packages, and upgraded landing gear options.
3. Parts and Accessories Sales: Online store offering replacement parts, accessories, and tools to support existing kit builders and aircraft owners.
4. Two Weeks to Taxi (TWTT) Builder-Assist Program: Professional services program where customers build their aircraft in two weeks at the Customer Assembly Center (CAC) in Arlington, WA, with company professionals (program on hold through 2023; available mid 2023).
5. Technical and Customer Support Services: Ongoing technical, parts, and customer support to existing aircraft owners, generating support contracts and recurring parts orders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Glasair Aviation designs, manufactures, and sells experimental amateur-built (E-AB) aircraft kits, primarily the Sportsman 4-seat single-piston aircraft, offered in Standard (from $91,800) and Quick-Build (from $119,850) configurations with configurable engines, propellers, landing gear, and avionics. The company supports its customer base of sport pilots with parts, technical support, and the Two Weeks to Taxi (TWTT) builder-assist program at its Arlington, WA Customer Assembly Center.

Product overview

Glasair Aviation offers a single product platform, the Sportsman experimental amateur-built (E-AB) aircraft, delivered as a kit in two main configurations: the Sportsman Standard Kit (entry-level, starting at $91,800) and the Sportsman Quick-Build Kit (more complete, starting at $119,850). The platform is supported by the Two Weeks to Taxi (TWTT) builder-assist program, currently on hold and planned to resume in mid-2023. The Sportsman is configurable with three engine options (Lycoming IO-360 180 hp, Lycoming IO-390 210 hp, Continental CD-155 diesel), six propeller options (Hartzell and MT), three landing gear configurations (nose-wheel, tail-wheel, straight or amphibious floats), and eight avionics panel options (Garmin, Dynon, and Advanced Flight Systems). The legacy GlaStar aircraft continues to be supported with parts and service bulletins. The older Glasair I, II, and III product line was sold to Advanced Aero Components in 2017 and rebranded as G2/G3.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sportsman Aircraft Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,500+ kits sold since 1980 with 1,200+ aircraft currently flying worldwide
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Advanced Aero Components (AAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2017 Glasair Aviation USA sold the Glasair II and III product line assets to Advanced Aero Components (Ian Baker, AAC CEO), who continues product support for existing owners and is improving the design for an updated kit offering. The Glasair II and III are rebranded as G2 and G3 under AAC. AAC now handles support for older Glasair models.
• Sherwin-Williams AerospacecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Sherwin-Williams' team after Glasair's 'coatings review' led to standardization on the SKYscapes product line for all topcoats. Glasair's entire paint shop crew was sent to Sherwin-Williams' Wichita, KS headquarters for training, followed by on-site training in Arlington. Provides improved color saturation, gloss retention, abrasion resistance, and UV protection.
• BRS (Ballistic Recovery Systems)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGlasair offers BRS airframe parachutes as a safety-enhancing option on the Sportsman. Parachutes can be added as aftermarket upgrades as well.
• AmSafeminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAmSafe airbag-equipped harnesses are offered as a safety-enhancing option on the Sportsman to augment intrinsic safety; available as aftermarket upgrades.
• LangairminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSupplies Aircraft Certified Aluminum Spring Gear as a landing gear option for the Sportsman.
• GroveminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSupplies the 600-6 Wheel & Brake System with 1 1/4" Axle as a landing gear option for the Sportsman.
• AerotronicscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred panel fabricator partnered with Glasair for state-of-the-art avionics panel upgrades. Works with Advanced Flight Systems to offer Dynon 10" HDX or Advanced AF-5600 10.4" touchscreen displays and full avionics integration.
• Advanced Flight SystemscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreferred panel fabricator partnered with Glasair for avionics panel upgrades. Co-fabricator (alongside Aerotronics) of Dynon/Advanced Flight Systems panels with the Advanced AF-5600 10.4" touchscreen display option.
• GarmincoreTechnology or IntegrationGarmin's G3X Touch glass display is the standard panel across all Sportsman aircraft, with PFD, EIS, and Nav functions, ADS-B In/Out compliance, and integrated autopilot. Premium IFR panels feature the GTN 650 or GTN 750 IFR Navigator.
• Dynon AvionicscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnered with Glasair as a panel options provider; Dynon HDX 10-inch touchscreen display is offered alongside Advanced AF-5600. Includes ADAHRS, SV-EMS Engine Monitor, 261 Transponder, 472 ADSB Receiver, and autopilot servo options.
• Lycoming EnginescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLycoming IO-360 (180 HP) and IO-390 (210 HP) engines are available as powerplant options on the Sportsman kit. Engines are typically fuel injected with electronic ignition.
• Continental MotorsminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerContinental CD-155 Turbo Diesel engine is available as one of three power options on the Sportsman.
• Hartzell PropellercoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerHartzell supplies six of the seven prop options on the Sportsman, allowing builders to focus on short-field performance, cruise speed, or float operations.
• MT PropellerminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMT supplies the seventh prop option specifically suited to floatplane operations on the Sportsman.
• AeroLEDminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAeroLED Nav/Strobe Position lights and high-efficiency LED Landing Lights are included with the Sportsman wing kit.
• Glasair Owners Association (glasair-owners.com)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent owners association that supports the Glasair community, including hosting events like the Smiley Creek 13th Annual Fly-In.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Van's Aircraft: The largest US kit aircraft manufacturer (RV-7, RV-10, etc.), competing directly with Glasair's Sportsman for the same E-AB 4-seat single market. Highly comparable in business model, customer base (sport/experimental builders), and direct-to-consumer sales motion.
• Zenith Aircraft: Manufacturer of STOL-focused E-AB kits (STOL CH 750, Zenith 750 Cruzer) with chromoly steel-tube construction overlapping Glasair's structural philosophy. Competes for the backcountry and bush-flying buyer segment Glasair targets.
• Sonex Aircraft: E-AB kit manufacturer offering two-seat sport aircraft with similar direct-to-consumer e-commerce, online configurator, and builder-assist model. Competes for entry-level and experimental builder mindshare.
• CubCrafters: Manufacturer of STOL/backcountry aircraft including Carbon Cub kits and FX versions, competing with Glasair's Sportsman for backcountry and tail-wheel mission pilots. Overlapping customer profile of adventure/bush pilots.
• RANS Aircraft: High-wing E-AB kit maker (S-6S, S-7 Courier, S-21 Outbound) targeting sport/recreational pilots. Competes directly in the affordable 2-4 seat experimental kit category with similar direct sales motion.
• Kitfox Aircraft: Light STOL/sport E-AB kit maker (Model 7 Super Sport) with folding-wing designs and backcountry focus, comparable to the Sportsman's wing-fold and interchangeable-gear value proposition.
• Just Aircraft: Manufacturer of the Highlander and other STOL/backcountry E-AB kits. Overlaps with Glasair in the backcountry single-piston buyer segment and uses a similar direct-to-builder kit model.
• Velocity Aircraft: Composite-built E-AB kit maker (Velocity SE, V-Twin, XL-R) targeting 4-seat sport/experimental builders. Competes with the Sportsman in the 4-seat performance composite kit segment.

Broad incumbents

• Cirrus Aircraft: Larger certified general aviation manufacturer (SR20, SR22, Vision Jet) competing broadly in the 4-seat personal aviation category. Not a kit peer, but a benchmark for what type-certification and scale could unlock for Glasair's Sportsman.

Others

• Dynon Avionics: Avionics supplier integrated into Glasair's Sportsman panel options. Not a competitor but a key ecosystem partner and adjacent business comparable in E-AB / light sport aviation supply chain dynamics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGObKuiznVeftwNTjsQ33LA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Glasair
• Instagraminstagram.com/glasairaviation
• Xx.com/glasairaviation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Glasair Aviation