Brackett Aero Filters

What Brackett Aero Filters does

Brackett Aero Filters, Inc. is a Kingman, Arizona-based manufacturer of FAA-PMA approved foam air filters for general aviation aircraft and helicopters, founded in 1968 (originally as AC). The company holds Parts Manufacturer Approval on 88 different filter models, with factory original equipment installations on 16 current production aircraft and 4 helicopters. Its product line centers on dual-stage foam filter assemblies using treated foam elements, extruded aluminum frames, non-magnetic stainless steel retainer screens, and neoprene gaskets with a safety retainer lip. The core consumable is a low-cost throwaway foam element (with a 4-year shelf life) that can be replaced without discarding the entire filter assembly, supported by retrofit kits for compliance with multiple FAA Airworthiness Directives (AD 81-15-03, AD 96-09-06, AD 2002-26-03).

The company operates a purely channel-driven go-to-market model, selling exclusively through authorized aircraft supply distributors and FBOs rather than direct-to-consumer. Its distributor network spans North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Australia/New Zealand, Africa, and the Caribbean, with core partners including Aircraft Spruce, Boeing Distribution, Falcon Crest Aviation, and Univair Aircraft Corp. Customer segments include general aviation aircraft owners/operators, flight schools, FBO operators, maintenance facilities, aircraft OEMs, and homebuilt/experimental aircraft builders. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; customers are directed to contact distributors or the company directly. The company is privately held under President Roy Brackett, with no disclosed parent company, funding rounds, M&A activity, or management team beyond the named president.

Name

Brackett Aero Filters

Legal name

Brackett Aero Filters, Inc.

Website

https://brackettaerofilters.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Brackett Aero Filters is a Kingman, Arizona-based manufacturer of FAA-PMA approved foam air filters for general aviation aircraft and helicopters, holding approvals on 88 filter models and distributing globally through authorized aircraft supply houses and FBOs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Air Filter Sales: Brackett Aero Filters generates revenue through the sale of FAA-PMA approved aircraft air filter assemblies and replacement elements. Products include filter assemblies with aluminum frames, foam elements, gaskets, grills, and stainless steel screens. The company sells through a global distributor network.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels12 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Brackett Aero Filters designs, manufactures, and distributes FAA-PMA approved foam aircraft engine inlet air filters and replacement components for general aviation airplanes and helicopters. Its core product line consists of dual-stage foam filter assemblies (BA-series) with extruded aluminum frames, stainless steel screens, and replaceable throwaway foam elements, supported by gaskets, grills, and airlock fasteners. The company sells exclusively through a global network of authorized aviation distributors and FBOs.

Product overview

Brackett Aero Filters is a manufacturer of FAA-PMA approved foam air filters for general aviation aircraft and helicopters. The company offers 88 different filter models including filter assemblies (BA-series), replaceable foam elements, gaskets, front grills, stainless steel screens, and airlock fasteners. The core product line consists of dual-stage foam filter assemblies designed for easy servicing where only the low-cost throwaway element is replaced. Filters are approved for installation on 16 current production aircraft and four helicopters, covering Cessna, Beechcraft, Piper, Mooney, Bellanca, Lake, Grumman, Maule, and many other general aviation aircraft manufacturers. The company also provides compliance kits for FAA Airworthiness Directives, installation instruction sheets, and continued airworthiness documentation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brackett Foam Air Filter Assemblies (BA-series) FAA-PMA approved aircraft engine inlet air filter assemblies using treated dual-stage foam elements, extruded aluminum frames, stainless steel screens, and gasket systems. Designed for easy servicing with replaceable low-cost throwaway elements and available across 88 models for Cessna, Beechcraft, Piper, Mooney, Bellanca, Lake, Grumman, Maule, and other general aviation airframes and helicopters.
• Replaceable Foam Filter Elements Throwaway foam filter elements (with a 4-year shelf life from date of manufacture) sold separately for periodic servicing of BA-series filter assemblies. The dual-stage design increases dust holding capacity versus single-stage elements and is abrasive resistant and approved for seaplane operations.
• Stainless Steel Air Filter Screens Non-magnetic stainless steel screens (introduced post-1996 in place of earlier aluminum screens) used in BA-series filter assemblies. The dual-stage screen configuration increases dust holding capacity and provides abrasive resistance, and they are approved for seaplane installations with no pleats to trap dirt.
• Filter Gaskets and Retainer Strips Neoprene gaskets with retainer strips for BA-series filter assemblies. The safety lip on the aluminum frame secures the gasket and ensures a proper seal, preventing gasket material from entering the induction system and addressing FAA AD 96-09-06 compliance.
• Front Grills for Filter Assemblies Easily removable stainless steel front grills that provide servicing access to the foam elements in BA-series filter assemblies.
• Airlock Filter Fasteners Stud and pin-type airlock fasteners (AL-200, AL-270, AL-275, AL-330, and other sizes) supplied for secure mounting of BA-series filter assemblies to the airframe, matched to specific filter models and aircraft applications.
• AD Compliance and Service Bulletin Kits Retrofit kits that bring installed Brackett filters into compliance with FAA Airworthiness Directives AD 81-15-03 (aluminum-to-steel screen replacement), AD 96-09-06 (gasket retainer inspection/replacement), and AD 2002-26-03 (front screen addition), including screen gaskets, retainer strips, and replacement assemblies for affected BA-series filter models.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• Aircraft SprucecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor US distributor of aircraft parts and supplies. Stocks and resells Brackett Aero Filters through multiple locations including Alaska, West Chicago, and Peachtree, Georgia.
• Boeing DistributioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal aerospace distribution company with locations in Anchorage Alaska, Dallas Texas, Dubai UAE, and Hamburg Germany. Stocks and distributes Brackett Aero Filters internationally.
• Falcon Crest AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation supply distributor with multiple US locations including Irvine CA, Centennial CO, Atlanta GA, and Fort Lauderdale FL. Resells Brackett filter products across the US.
• Univair Aircraft Corp.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAircraft parts distributor based in Aurora, CO. Specializes in hard-to-find parts for older aircraft models. Stocks Brackett Aero Filters for applicable aircraft.
• Adams Aviation Supply CoregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based aviation parts distributor located in Crawley, West Sussex. Serves as Brackett distributor for the UK market.
• Airpart SupplyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based aviation parts supplier based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Distributes Brackett Aero Filters in the UK.
• Global Aviation + Piper PartsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation parts company with locations in UK (London Oxford Airport, Worthing), France, Germany (Calden, Monchengladbach), and Serbia. Distributes Brackett filters across Europe.
• Aviation Parts Service GmbH (APS)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean aviation parts distributor with offices in Grimbergen Brussels Belgium and Belgrade Serbia. Serves as Brackett distributor for Benelux and Balkan regions.
• Goulet AircraftregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian aircraft parts supplier based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Stocks and distributes Brackett Aero Filters in the Canadian market.
• ArAvia S.A.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArgentine aviation parts distributor based in Santa Fe, Venado Tuerto. Distributes Brackett Aero Filters in Argentina.
• Southern Cross AviationregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation parts distributor with operations in Fort Lauderdale FL and Sao Paulo Brazil. Distributes Brackett filters in Latin America.
• Airparts Del Peru S.A.C.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeruvian aviation parts distributor based in Callao - Lima. Stocks and distributes Brackett Aero Filters in Peru.
• Puerto Rico Aircraft SupplyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation parts supplier based in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Serves as Brackett distributor for the Caribbean region.
• Aviation Suppliers (Australia)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian aviation parts distributors with coverage in Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia. Distributes Brackett Aero Filters throughout Australia.
• Saywell InternationalregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation supply company based in Hollywood, FL and Worthing UK. Stocks and distributes Brackett Aero Filters in North America and Europe.
• Air Power, Inc.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTexas-based aviation parts distributor located in Arlington. Stocks Brackett Aero Filters for the Texas market.
• Eastern Aero Supply, Inc.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation parts supplier based in Millville, New Jersey. Serves as Brackett distributor for the northeastern US.
• Aero Performance NortheastregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation parts distributor based in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Distributes Brackett Aero Filters in the northeastern US market.
• International Aviation SupportregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation support company based in Carrollton, TX. Stocks and distributes Brackett Aero Filters, with additional presence in New Zealand.
• Keystone AviationregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Distributes Brackett Aero Filters in the intermountain west region.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Donaldson Company: Aerospace filtration specialist producing engine inlet air filters and other filtration products for commercial, military, and general aviation — directly comparable to Brackett's core induction-system filter business with a much larger installed base and OEM footprint.
• Champion Aerospace: Manufacturer of FAA-PMA approved aircraft components including filters, igniters, and engine accessories. Directly comparable to Brackett in aerospace PMA-parts manufacturing with a broader product portfolio across piston and turbine engine consumables.
• McFarlane Aviation: General aviation parts manufacturer and PMA holder producing a wide range of certified replacement components for Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft and similar airframes — directly comparable to Brackett in customer base, distribution model, and PMA-based aftermarket positioning.
• Tempest Aero Group: Aerospace PMA manufacturer of engine accessories and air induction system components for general aviation, including filters and induction parts. Closely comparable to Brackett in product category, FAA-PMA regulatory model, and general aviation customer base.
• Univair Aircraft Corporation: General aviation parts manufacturer and PMA holder specializing in legacy and classic airframe components. Comparable to Brackett in GA-only focus, PMA-based aftermarket positioning, and channel-led distribution to the same installer and FBO customer base.

Others

• Aircraft Spruce & Specialty: Major general aviation parts distributor and Brackett's largest US channel partner. Listed as an 'Others' peer because the overlap is primarily a distribution relationship rather than a competing product, but it is the most relevant ecosystem participant for understanding Brackett's go-to-market reach.

Broad incumbents

• Camfil: Global air filtration company with aerospace and industrial product lines, including filtration solutions for aviation applications. Comparable to Brackett in core foam and media-based filtration technology, though Camfil's primary market is industrial and commercial HVAC/commercial air.
• Parker Hannifin: Major aerospace systems and component supplier with a broad filtration portfolio including aerospace air intake filters. Comparable as a large-scale supplier of certified aviation filtration to OEMs, though Parker operates across a far wider aerospace and industrial portfolio than Brackett.
• Pall Corporation: Filtration, separation and purification specialist serving aerospace and industrial markets. Comparable to Brackett in filtration technology and aerospace customer overlap, but operates at vastly larger scale and across a much broader product set including hydraulic and fluid filtration.

Emerging players

• K&N Engineering: Performance air filter manufacturer whose washable/reusable foam filtration technology parallels Brackett's foam-element architecture. K&N is primarily automotive/powersports but its reusable foam approach competes conceptually for the experimental and light aviation segments Brackett serves.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

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 Brackett Aero Filters