What Advanced Flight Systems does

Advanced Flight Systems, founded in 1999 by electrical engineer Rob Hickman in Canby, Oregon, designs and manufactures avionics and integrated panel systems for the experimental aircraft and Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) markets. The company's core products are its AF-series EFIS displays (AF-6600, AF-5800, AF-5700, AF-5000), ADAHRS air-data/attitude/heading modules, engine monitoring modules, GPS receivers, Mode-S transponders, ADS-B receivers, autopilot servos, and — most distinctively — the Advanced Control Module (ACM), an in-house power distribution and electronic circuit breaker system positioned by the company as the first of its kind for aircraft electrical systems. All hardware and software are designed and manufactured in-house, including custom harnesses, panel fabrication, and the ADVANCEDPANEL Complete turnkey integrated panel solution.

The business model combines one-time hardware sales (displays priced $4,950-$5,490, ADAHRS modules $948-$1,595, GPS $278-$997, plus accessories) with quote-based professional services for ADVANCEDPANEL Complete and BYOPanel configurations, plus a small recurring revenue stream from Seattle Avionics ChartData subscriptions subsidized at $119/year. Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven, combining direct phone sales, the ADVANCEDPANEL.store e-commerce site, the parent Dynon online store, one-on-one system consultation video calls, and active presence at major fly-ins (EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Sun 'n Fun, Northwest Aviation Conference). AFS has been an independent subsidiary of Dynon since July 2013 and operates within The Dynon Group alongside Dynon Avionics, Dynon Certified, and Trig Avionics; founder Rob Hickman was inducted into the EAA Homebuilders Hall of Fame in 2017. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, the company employs 11-50 people, and the customer base is a long tail of individual aircraft homebuilders and LSA pilots with no disclosed enterprise concentration.

Name

Advanced Flight Systems

Legal name

Advanced Flight Systems

Website

https://advancedflightsystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Advanced Flight Systems, a Canby, Oregon-based subsidiary of Dynon, designs and manufactures EFIS displays, ADAHRS modules, engine monitoring, GPS, transponders, and its proprietary Advanced Control Module power-distribution system, plus turnkey ADVANCEDPANEL integrated panels for the experimental aircraft and Light Sport Aircraft homebuilder market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Experimental Aircraft Avionics

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) & Avionics Computing Platforms (IMABAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK), Flight Control Computers & Autopilot Systems (IMABAFAA), Avionics Integration, Wiring Harnesses & Installation Kits (IMABAFAL)

Keywords

• Experimental avionics systems
• Glass cockpit displays
• Engine monitoring modules
• Aircraft panel integration
• Aviation electronics manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Canby

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Avionics Hardware Sales: Sale of EFIS displays (AF-6600, AF-5800, AF-5700), ADAHRS modules, engine monitoring modules, GPS receivers, autopilot servos, and related avionics components. Products sold as individual modules or as complete integrated systems.
2. ADVANCEDPANEL Complete: Turnkey integrated panel solutions including custom panel design, pre-configured avionics, pre-wired systems, and installation-ready packages. The company handles the entire process from design consultation to drop-in integrated system delivery, saving hundreds of hours of build time for aircraft homebuilders.
3. ADVANCEDPANEL BYOPanel: Configured avionics packages with customized harnesses delivered ready to plug and play into customer's own panel design. Includes configured displays, modules, and accessories without the actual panel construction.
4. System Consultations: One-on-one video consultation sessions where experts guide customers through panel options, compare costs, and answer questions about Experimental or LSA aircraft ADVANCEDPANEL configurations.
5. Database Subscriptions: ChartData subscriptions through Seattle Avionics providing geo-referenced sectionals, IFR charts, approach plates, and airport diagrams. Dynon subsidizes pricing at approximately $119/year for combined VFR and IFR data.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Advanced Flight Systems designs, manufactures, and sells avionics products and integrated panel solutions for experimental and light sport aircraft. Its core offerings include EFIS displays (AF-6600, AF-5800, AF-5700, AF-5000 series), ADAHRS modules, engine monitoring systems, GPS receivers, transponders, ADS-B receivers, and the proprietary Advanced Control Module (ACM). The flagship ADVANCEDPANEL program delivers turnkey, pre-configured and pre-wired integrated panel systems that combine avionics, custom panels, harnesses, and centralized power distribution.

Product overview

Advanced Flight Systems offers a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on the ADVANCEDPANEL program and Advanced Control Module (ACM). The flagship ADVANCEDPANEL is a turnkey integrated system combining pre-configured avionics (AF-6600/AF-5800/AF-5700/AF-5000 Series EFIS displays), the Advanced Control Module for power distribution and aircraft systems integration, and custom instrument panels. The ACM serves as the core control center connecting displays, ADAHRS modules, engine monitoring (SV-EMS), GPS receivers, transponders, autopilot servos, audio panels, and sensors. Products are offered in multiple tiers: ADVANCEDPANEL Complete (full turnkey panel installation), ADVANCEDPANEL BYOPanel (avionics package for customer-built panels), and standalone ACM for custom integrations. Additional modules include SV-ADAHRS attitude/heading reference systems, SV-GPS-2020/250 WAAS GPS receivers, SV-XPNDR transponders, SV-ADSB-472 ADS-B receivers, backup batteries, network hubs, and connectivity adapters. The company also offers AOA Pro/Sport standalone products, legacy AF-4000/AF-3000/AF-2500 series displays, and various sensor kits. All products are designed for experimental aircraft and LSA categories, with Dynon SkyView HDX also available for certified aircraft through Dynon Certified.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ADVANCEDPANEL Complete Turnkey integrated avionics system with pre-configured, pre-wired avionics installed in a custom powder-coated and silk-screened CNC instrument panel, including the Advanced Control Module, displays, harnesses, and full aircraft integration for experimental and light sport aircraft homebuilders.
• ADVANCEDPANEL BYOPanel Bring Your Own Panel option delivering configured avionics package with customized ACM harnesses, displays, modules, and accessories ready to install in customer-designed panels.
• Advanced Control Module (ACM) Groundbreaking avionics control center - the first comprehensive power and distribution center for aircraft electrical systems, avionics, headsets, lights, autopilot/trim servos, flap motor, control sticks, and panel switches, with optional electronic circuit breakers (ACM-ECB) controllable from the EFIS.
• ACM Jumpstart Kit Standalone kit offering the Advanced Control Module to experimental and light sport aircraft pilots who want ACM capabilities without purchasing the full ADVANCEDPANEL Complete turnkey package.
• AF-6600 Display Flagship 10.4" touchscreen EFIS display with 60Hz screen updates, increased brightness, under 20-second start-up time, dual-concentric encoder knob, ambient light sensor, and compatibility with AF-5000 series systems. Priced at $4,950.
• AF-5800 Display 12.1" touchscreen display with full complement of knobs, buttons, and joysticks, providing expansive situational awareness for aircraft panels able to accommodate its larger size. Priced at $5,490.
• AF-5700 Display 12.1" touchscreen display with ADVANCED Touch interface, the smallest form factor 12" EFIS available, combining largest-in-class screen with minimized installation footprint. Priced at $5,050.
• AF-5000 Series Displays Touchscreen EFIS platform including 10.1" and 8.4" versions, providing primary flight instruments, engine monitoring, moving map, synthetic vision, and comprehensive connectivity for experimental aircraft.
• SV-ADAHRS-200/201 ADAHRS Modules Air Data/Attitude/Heading Reference System modules providing attitude, airspeed, altitude, heading, AOA, G-meter, turn rate, slip/skid ball, OAT, and TAS for EFIS displays, with primary ($1,595) and secondary/backup ($948) versions.
• SV-EMS-220/221 Engine Monitoring Modules Engine monitoring interface modules between SkyView Display and engine/aircraft sensors. SV-EMS-220 supports most engines including Lycoming, Continental, Jabiru, and Rotax ($773); SV-EMS-221 supports Rotax 912 iS via CAN bus.
• SV-GPS-2020 and SV-GPS-250 GPS Receivers WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and antenna modules: SV-GPS-2020 is ADS-B Out 2020 compliant ($997) and SV-GPS-250 is a sensitive WAAS GPS receiver with NMEA output ($278), both compatible with AFS and Dynon SkyView displays.
• SV-XPNDR-263 Mode-S Transponder Lightweight TSO Class 1 Mode-S transponder with ADS-B Out capability for 2020 mandate compliance when paired with SV-GPS-2020.
• SV-ADSB-472 Dual Band ADS-B Receiver Dual band ADS-B receiver receiving traffic via 978 MHz UAT and 1090 MHz, providing free FAA weather and traffic data when paired with a Mode-S transponder.
• Autopilot Servos and SV-AP-PANEL IFR-capable autopilot servos with mounting kits for various aircraft, with the SV-AP-PANEL adding dedicated autopilot controls and a built-in dual-axis speed-sensitive trim controller.
• AOA Pro/Sport Angle of Attack System Standalone Angle of Attack pitot probe products providing progressive audible approach-to-stall alerts; AOA capabilities are also integrated into all Advanced EFIS systems.
• Wi-Fi Adapter Connects SkyView to mobile devices for flight planning, compatible with Seattle Avionics FlyQ, ForeFlight Mobile, PocketFMS EasyVFR, SkyDemon, Ozrunways, and FltPlan Go.
• AF-PMA450EX-R Remote Audio Panel EFIS-controlled remote audio panel manufactured by PS Engineering exclusively for Advanced Flight Systems, featuring IntelliAudio True Dimensional Sound, Enhanced Bluetooth with music streaming, and 4-place hi-fi stereo intercom. Priced at $2,279.
• ARINC-429 Module ARINC-429 interface module enabling connection of third-party certified IFR navigators like the Avidyne IFD440/540 to AFS displays.
• AF-5000 Series Map Data Subscriptions Recurring aviation and obstacle databases, geo-referenced charts, high-resolution terrain databases, and base map data for AF-5000 series displays. ChartData subscriptions through Seattle Avionics cost approximately $119/year for combined VFR and IFR data.
• ADVANCEDPANEL System Consultations One-on-one video consultation sessions in which AFS experts guide customers through panel options, compare costs, and answer questions about Experimental or LSA aircraft ADVANCEDPANEL configurations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cuts hundreds of hours off aircraft completion time with ADVANCEDPANEL turnkey systems
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PS EngineeringcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPS Engineering manufactures the AF-PMA450EX-R remote audio panel exclusively for Advanced Flight Systems. The product features IntelliAudio True Dimensional Sound, Enhanced Bluetooth with music streaming, 4-place hi-fi stereo IntelliVox intercom with Soft Mute, and multiple audio inputs. Sold as an AFS-branded product at $2,279 without faceplate.
• Seattle AvionicscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for geo-referenced chart data including sectionals, IFR charts, approach plates, and airport diagrams. Dynon subsidizes pricing for AFS customers at approximately $119/year for combined VFR and IFR data. Charts display aircraft position superimposed on each chart. Data manager software enables USB preparation for AF-5000 displays.
• AvidynecoreTechnology or IntegrationAvidyne IFD540 GPS Navigator is offered as an IFR option in ADVANCEDPANEL configurations. The touchscreen FMS/GPS/NAV/COM provides certified navigation capabilities for IFR-equipped panels. ARINC 429 interface module available for connecting certified IFR navigators like Avidyne IFD440/540.
• Dynon AvionicscoreTechnology or IntegrationAs sister company under the Dynon Group umbrella, Dynon Avionics products are fully compatible with AFS systems. SkyView components including displays, ADAHRS modules, autopilot servos, and other modules work seamlessly with AFS AF-5000 series. Products share common network architecture and software platforms.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Garmin: The dominant avionics incumbent across certified and experimental segments. Garmin's G3X Touch directly competes with AFS in the E-AB/LSA market, while its certified G1000/G3000 and brand pull pressure AFS at the high end of the experimental buyer.
• Chelton Flight Systems (now Genesys Aerosystems): Supplies IDU-680 EFIS displays and S-TEC autopilot systems across certified, military, and experimental segments. Competes at the higher end of the integrated avionics market where AFS's IFR configurations play.

Others

• Trig Avionics: Sister company under The Dynon Group, providing transponders, COM radios, and audio panels (TY91 headless radio supported by AFS). Adjacent rather than competing directly with AFS displays but a key ecosystem partner.
• PS Engineering: OEM partner that manufactures the AF-PMA450EX-R audio panel exclusively for AFS. Audio/intercom systems are an adjacent avionics category that intersects with AFS integrated panel offerings.

Emerging players

• Aspen Avionics: Specializes in retrofit glass-panel EFIS displays (Evolution series) for certified aircraft, with growing presence in experimental markets. Compares to AFS as a competing glass-panel supplier targeting owner-flown retrofits and new builds.
• Avidyne: Partner and partial competitor — provides the IFD540 IFR navigator integrated into AFS ADVANCEDPANEL IFR builds, while also selling its own avionics suites (Atlas, Helios) for certified and experimental aircraft.
• Levil Aviation: Maker of the iLevil portable ADS-B/EFIS platform and BOM backup instruments for experimental/LSA aircraft. Smaller, complementary competitor in portable and panel-mount EFIS products for the same homebuilder segment.
• MGL Avionics: South Africa-based EFIS and avionics supplier focused on experimental/LSA markets with iEFIS and Voyager lines. Comparable as a niche touchscreen EFIS competitor serving homebuilders outside the Dynon ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Dynon Avionics: Sister company under The Dynon Group and the most direct competitor. Both target the experimental and LSA avionics market with EFIS displays, ADAHRS, engine monitoring, autopilot servos, and SkyView networked architecture that overlaps with AFS's AF-5000 series.
• GRT Avionics: Independent EFIS manufacturer focused exclusively on the experimental aircraft market with Horizon and Sport lines. Offers competing touchscreen and knob-based displays, ADAHRS, and autopilot integration for the same E-AB/LSA buyer that AFS serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4uxyWWIBLW5dXqRmzOWKug
• Facebookfacebook.com/Advanced-Flight-Systems-149601735049946
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/advanced-flight-systems-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Advanced Flight Systems