LIFT Aviation USA

What LIFT Aviation USA does

LIFT Aviation USA is a private, Rancho Dominguez, California-based (with a corporate address in Elkhorn, Wisconsin) developer and direct-to-consumer marketer of premium aviation safety equipment and pilot apparel, founded in 2014 and operating with 11-50 employees. Its product portfolio centers on the AV-2.1 KOR and AV-1 KOR fixed-wing aviation helmets built around Koroyd impact-protection technology, carbon fiber shell construction, FIDLOCK magnetic buckle systems, and customizable communication integration (Lightspeed Zulu, Bose A20, in-house PNR). Adjacent categories include pilot footwear (Merlin, Air Boss) featuring patent-pending frictionless heel sliders and carbon fiber midsoles, professional dress shirts and elevated apparel, knee boards, flight caps, Tanium aviator eyewear, and accessories. The company also announced an AV3 Assault helmet targeting rotary-wing and EMS/law enforcement applications, and was selected in 2020 by the U.S. Air Force to design a flight helmet derived from the LIFT Airborne Technologies AV-2.2 military platform.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market model: a Shopify-powered DTC e-commerce store at liftaviationusa.com is the primary sales channel, supported by four US specialty aviation retailers (MyPilotStore, PilotMall, Aircraft Spruce, Hammond Aviation) and an international dealer/distributor network spanning 11 countries including Canada, Mexico, the UK, Germany, South Africa, Guatemala, Australia, and New Zealand. Revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time equipment sales at premium price points (helmets $1,349-$2,500+ with communication installations adding $500-$1,398; apparel $37-$350; footwear $139-$299; eyewear $79-$199). LIFT Aviation shares R&D, talent, and developmental resources with sister companies EVS Sports (motocross/extreme sports protective gear since 1985), LIFT Safety (industrial PPE since 2006), and LIFT Airborne Technologies (military helmet systems). The company is privately held and bootstrapped within this corporate family with no disclosed venture or private equity funding.

Name

LIFT Aviation USA

Legal name

LIFT Aviation USA

Website

https://liftaviationusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LIFT Aviation USA is a private Rancho Dominguez, California-based developer and direct-to-consumer marketer of premium aviation safety equipment and pilot apparel, including Koroyd-equipped helmets, patent-pending rudder-control pilot footwear, and accessories, serving individual fixed-wing pilots and military aviation programs globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rancho Dominguez

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aviation Equipment Sales: Direct sales of aviation helmets, pilot shoes, apparel, eyewear, flight accessories, and related equipment through e-commerce platform and retail partners. Products are sold as one-time purchases with customization options for helmets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LIFT Aviation USA designs, manufactures, and sells advanced aviation safety equipment for pilots, including customizable fixed-wing and rotary-wing helmets (AV-2.1 KOR, AV-1 KOR), pilot footwear with patent-pending heel sliders (Merlin, Air Boss), professional pilot apparel, flight caps, knee boards, and aviator eyewear. The company sells direct-to-consumer via liftaviationusa.com, through specialty aviation retailers, and via an international dealer network across 11 countries.

Product overview

LIFT Aviation USA offers a specialized portfolio of aviation equipment and pilot accessories centered around safety and performance. The core product lines include the AV-2.1 KOR and AV-1 KOR aviation helmets featuring Koroyd impact protection technology and customizable communication systems. Pilot footwear includes the Merlin (flagship with patent-pending heel slider) and Air Boss lines with proprietary Rudder Control technology. The apparel range spans professional pilot dress shirts through elevated performance apparel including jackets, vests, and polo shirts. Flight accessories include Navigator knee boards, Flux flight caps, Tanium eyewear, and visor/goggle systems. The company leverages 35+ years of protective equipment expertise from sister companies EVS Sports and LIFT Safety to deliver advanced aviation products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LIFT Safety: Premium industrial products brand innovating safety products and personal protective equipment for over 20 years.
• EVS Sports
• LIFT Airborne Technologies

Products and services

• AV-2.1 KOR Fixed Wing Helmet Premium fixed-wing aviation helmet with lightweight 12K carbon fiber shell, EPS/Koroyd impact liner system, intelligent airflow, and customizable communication options. Sold direct with visor, boom, and communication add-on choices (Lightspeed Zulu, Bose A20, LIFT PNR).
• AV-1 KOR Aviation Helmet Lightweight high-performance aviation helmet with polycarbonate or carbon fiber shell, Koroyd impact liner, antimicrobial AirFlow Comfort Liner, FireBlock trim, FIDLOCK magnetic buckle, and antifog UV-protective visors. Compatible with multiple communication systems.
• Merlin Pilot Shoe Flagship pilot-specific footwear featuring patent-pending Flight System Engineered Heel Sliders with frictionless carbon midsole for superior rudder control, fire-resistant Carbon X liner, Nomex laces, and Ortholite performance insoles.
• Air Boss Pilot Shoe Pilot footwear with patent-pending Rudder Control Heel Slider technology for enhanced flight control. Injection-molded frictionless cleat slides along floorboards for superior rudder control. Available in Ultraknit, White, Black, Grey, and Ultralight variants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21% lighter than typical fixed wing helmets
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Mark PollardminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 March 2021LIFT Aviation partnered with Mark Pollard, an aviation professional, for marketing and promotional activities.
• Tiger PerformanceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 February 2021LIFT Aviation partnered with Tiger Performance for marketing and promotional collaborations in the aviation industry.
• U.S. Air ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2020LIFT Aviation was selected to design a flight helmet for the U.S. Air Force, marking a significant military partnership and validation of the company's advanced helmet technology.
• EVS SportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFT Aviation is the sister company of EVS Sports, a leader in motocross and action sports protective gear since 1985. EVS Sports expertise in protective equipment development underpins LIFT Aviation's helmet technology.
• LIFT SafetycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFT Aviation is affiliated with LIFT Safety, established in 2006 as a provider of industrial safety products including hardhats, knee pads, and work gloves. Shared expertise in protective equipment development.
• LIFT Airborne TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFT Aviation is affiliated with LIFT Airborne Technologies, the premier expert in building advanced flight helmet systems and related high-end componentry. The AV2.1 civilian helmet is derived from the LAT AV2.2 military helmet.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gentex Corporation: Gentex is a major U.S. military and aviation helmet manufacturer, including USAF flight helmets — directly competing with LIFT Aviation and sister company LIFT Airborne Technologies for defense flight helmet programs.
• Bose Corporation: Bose A20 is the dominant active-noise-reduction aviation headset and is offered as a comms integration option inside LIFT Aviation helmets — making Bose both a technology partner and a direct head-to-head competitor for cockpit audio.
• David Clark Company: Long-established manufacturer of aviation headsets and protective helmet systems used by military, law enforcement, and general aviation pilots — overlapping product lines and target customers with LIFT Aviation.
• Lightspeed Aviation: Premium aviation headset maker (Zulu, Sierra, Delta series) sold directly to pilots and integrated as a comms option in LIFT helmets — competing for the same pilot wallet on communications and headset-quality.
• AeroStitch: Direct-to-consumer maker of pilot apparel, flight suits, and protective gear — comparable GTM motion (DTC, enthusiast-driven brand) and overlapping pilot-apparel category with LIFT's elevated apparel and Flextech shirt lines.
• Ops-Core: Subsidiary of Gentex making tactical and aviation helmet systems for military and special-mission users — adjacent competitor in defense and rotary-wing helmet categories where LIFT is positioning AV3 Assault.

Emerging players

• Revision Military: Military-focused eyewear and head-protection systems company; overlapping product portfolio in protective eyewear (Tanium) and helmet accessories that compete with parts of LIFT's catalog, especially on defense programs.

Broad incumbents

• MSA Safety: Large diversified PPE conglomerate (hard hats, respiratory, fall protection) — overlaps with LIFT Safety sister brand in industrial PPE and represents the type of strategic acquirer or broader competitor in adjacent safety categories.
• 3M Personal Safety Division: Diversified safety equipment giant with hearing protection, head protection, and PPE brands; sets competitive benchmarks and pricing pressure across multiple of LIFT's categories via Peltor/Scotchgard-type brands.

Others

• Aircraft Spruce & Specialty: Major aviation parts and accessories distributor/retailer that stocks LIFT Aviation helmets and apparel alongside competing brands — functions as a channel partner today and benchmark for what an omni-channel aviation retailer looks like.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/liftaviationusa
• Facebookfacebook.com/liftaviationusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lift-aviation-usa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 LIFT Aviation USA