Aeromarine Consulting

What Aeromarine Consulting does

Aeromarine Consulting (operating as Aeromarine LSA) is a privately-held US-based designer and manufacturer of light sport aircraft (LSA) and Part 103 ultralight aircraft founded by Chip W. Erwin, with operational history dating to 1980 and a current legal presence in Tampa, Florida. The company's portfolio spans four core airframes — the Merlin (120mph sport aircraft with proprietary V-Twin powertrain), Merlin Lite (Part 103 aluminum ultralight), Merlin II (MOSAIC-class Rotax 915iS variant), and TrueLite (Part 103 ultralight with patented 2-minute wing fold) — plus an electric variant (Electrolite), the proprietary 60hp V-Twin 4-stroke engine, 750-series ultralight floats, advanced EFIS avionics, and emerging military ISR/strike variants (DEPOD weapons pod, SHAC targeting computer). Manufacturing is vertically integrated through Tech Pro Aviation in Olomouc, Czech Republic and Aviad in Viladamat, Spain, with US final assembly and builder-support centers in St. Elmo, Alabama and Dayton, Ohio.

Aeromarine generates revenue through one-time aircraft sales (kits priced $18,000–$25,000, finished aircraft $30,000–$40,000), engine and avionics package upgrades, build center assembly services, and accessory sales such as floats and propellers. Customers are predominantly individual sport pilots, kit builders, and seaplane enthusiasts, primarily in the United States with smaller international customer bases in the Czech Republic, Spain, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. Distribution relies on direct-to-consumer sales through the company website, $10,000-deposit orders, builder-assistance programs at US build centers, and an airshow-driven demand generation model anchored by 46 consecutive years at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh plus regular presence at Sun n Fun and AERO Friedrichshafen. The company is bootstrapped, founder-owned, and currently diversifying its addressable market by developing militarized Merlin variants for ISR and precision-targeting applications alongside its civilian sport aviation core.

Name

Aeromarine Consulting

Legal name

Aeromarine LSA

Website

https://aeromarine-lsa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aeromarine Consulting (Aeromarine LSA) designs and manufactures Part 103 ultralight and light sport aircraft — Merlin, Merlin Lite, TrueLite — for individual sport pilots and kit builders, using proprietary V-Twin and electric propulsion systems. Headquartered in Tampa, FL, with production in the Czech Republic and Spain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Light Sport Aircraft / Personal Sport Aircraft Manufacturing

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC), Engine Control, Fuel & Ignition Systems (FADEC/Accessories) (IMABADAK), Propellers, Rotors & Open-Rotor Propulsors (IMABADAI)

Keywords

• Light sport aircraft
• Ultralight aircraft
• Kit aircraft
• Aircraft engines
• Electric aircraft

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Sales (Kit and Fully Assembled): Aeromarine sells aircraft in multiple formats: quick-build kits (approximately 80-150 build hours), partially completed kits, and fully assembled/test-flown aircraft. Products include Merlin, Merlin Lite, Merlin II, TrueLite, and Electrolite. Kits are shipped from manufacturing facilities in Czech Republic and Spain to US build centers or directly to customers. Finished aircraft are delivered from build centers in Alabama and Dayton, Ohio. Revenue is one-time per aircraft sale, with follow-on revenue from parts, upgrades, and accessories.
2. Engine and Power System Packages: Proprietary V-Twin 4-stroke engine packages including reduction drive, cooling system, fuel system, wiring harness, and exhaust. Also offering electric power system packages for Merlin Lite (Electrolite) and hybrid systems. Engines sourced from Chinese manufacturing partners with extensive customization. Packages priced as firewall-forward components.
3. Avionics and Electronics Packages: Advanced deluxe EFIS panels with custom circuit boards, wiring harnesses, MGL avionics, Garmin GPS, and激光-engraved instrument panels. These are sold as optional upgrades for Merlin and Merlin Lite aircraft, representing significant add-on revenue per build.
4. Floats and Accessories: Aeromarine 750 ultralight floats and amphibious float kits sold as standalone products. Also includes propellers (carbon ground-adjustable), BRS rescue parachute systems, tundra wheels, and hydraulic brake kits.
5. Build Center Assembly Services: M-Squared Aviation in St. Elmo, Alabama and Dayton, Ohio facilities provide aircraft assembly, finishing, flight testing, and FAA airworthiness certification services for customers who purchase kits but prefer professional assembly.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Aeromarine designs, manufactures, and sells personal sport aircraft and FAA Part 103 ultralights — including the Merlin, Merlin Lite, Merlin II, and TrueLite — as quick-build kits or fully assembled aircraft. The company also sells its proprietary V-Twin 4-stroke engine package, ultralight floats, propellers, and an electric (Electrolite) propulsion option, serving individual sport pilots, amateur builders, and select military/government customers pursuing a militarized Merlin variant.

Product overview

Aeromarine LSA offers a portfolio of personal sport and ultralight aircraft. The core product line includes the Merlin (traditional sport aircraft), Merlin Lite (advanced Part 103 ultralight), Merlin II (MOSAIC-class variant), and TrueLite (wing-fold ultralight). These are powered by proprietary V-Twin 4-stroke engines or optional electric systems (Electrolite). The company also produces 750 aluminum floats, propellers, and hybrid power systems. Additional offerings include advanced avionics packages (MGL EFIS-based deluxe panels), military variants with autonomous flight and precision targeting capabilities (SHAC), and Hyper-STOL wings with advanced slat and flap systems. Build centers operate in Mobile, Alabama and Dayton, Ohio for kit assembly and flight testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Merlin: Personal sport aircraft with V-Twin 4-stroke engine, 120mph cruise speed, offered as quick-build kit
• Merlin Lite
• Merlin II
• TrueLite
• Electrolite
• V-Twin Engine
• 750 Floats

Quantifiable outcome

• TrueLite weighs 265 lbs with chute (13 lbs under Part 103 limit of 278 lbs), and 240 lbs with chute per updated specs
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Tech Pro Aviation (TPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAeromarine's primary manufacturing partner in Olomouc, Czech Republic. TPA handles airframe production for Merlin, Merlin Lite, and component manufacturing including wing spars, ribs, cowls, floats, and fuselage assemblies. The partnership involves deep co-development of engine installations (V-Twin, Cosmos 300), avionics integration, and certification testing. Aeromarine CEO Chip Erwin frequently travels to TPA for design review and quality control.
• M-Squared AviationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerM-Squared Aviation operates Aeromarine's primary US build center in St. Elmo, Alabama. Handles Merlin, Merlin Lite, and TrueLite final assembly, customer kit completion, flight testing, and FAA airworthiness certification. Managed by Paul who coordinates customer builds and leads TrueLite kit assembly. Aeromarine's most important US operational partner.
• Aviad (Francesco Di Martino)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviad, founded by Francesco Di Martino in Viladamat, Spain, co-developed the TrueLite (MG-21 Zigolo) with Aeromarine. Francesco designs ultralight aircraft and manages production at Aviad's Spanish facility, which uses CNC cutting and advanced molding systems for precision component manufacturing. Aeromarine holds distribution rights for North American market. Long history of collaboration including MG-12 Zigolo electric version.
• Vittorazi MotoricoreTechnology or IntegrationItalian engine manufacturer supplying the Cosmos 300 liquid-cooled twin-ignition engine for Merlin Lite and TrueLite aircraft. Aeromarine conducted extensive installation development for the Cosmos 300, including cowl modifications, exhaust routing, intake manifold design (3D printed 70-degree elbow), and cooling system integration. The engine replaced the Polini 303 as the preferred power unit due to its superior reliability and performance.
• MGL AvionicscoreTechnology or IntegrationSouth African avionics manufacturer supplying iEFIS and Blaze Flight-3 instruments for Aeromarine aircraft panels. MGL makes custom modifications for V-Twin engine integration. Aeromarine designs custom circuit boards and wiring harnesses to interface with MGL products. The relationship involves significant co-development of EFIS programming parameters specific to Aeromarine aircraft.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CubCrafters: US STOL/LSA manufacturer (Carbon Cub, Top Cub) with kits and certified aircraft. Closely comparable to Aeromarine's Merlin and Hyper-STOL positioning in the backcountry/STOL sport segment.
• Zenith Aircraft: US kit aircraft manufacturer (STOL CH 750, Zodiac) producing Part 103 and LSA-class kits for sport builders. Comparable product, customer, and channel model to Aeromarine's TrueLite and Merlin Lite quick-build programs.
• Sling Aircraft: South African LSA manufacturer (Sling 2, Sling 4, Sling HW) with strong US presence. Overlaps with Aeromarine on fixed-gear LSA, kit/finished sales, and sport-pilot target customer.
• Rans Aircraft: US kit aircraft manufacturer (S-6S Coyote, S-7 Courier) producing Part 103 and LSA-class aircraft. Comparable kit build model, customer segment, and pricing tier to Aeromarine.
• Icon Aircraft: US-based LSA manufacturer of the Icon A5 amphibious sport aircraft. Directly comparable to Aeromarine in LSA segment, seaplane accessories, and enthusiast pilot customer base.
• Pipistrel (Textron eAviation): Slovenian light sport and ultralight aircraft manufacturer (Virus, Velis Electro) now owned by Textron. Most direct competitor to Aeromarine in the LSA and electric-ultralight space, with overlapping products, channels, and target customers.
• Kitfox Aircraft: US LSA and kit aircraft manufacturer (Kitfox Series7, STi). Closely comparable kit-LSA model to Aeromarine, and explicitly referenced in Aeromarine materials as a target for V-Twin firewall-forward kit.
• Just Aircraft (Backcountry Super Cub): US STOL/LSA kit maker (SuperSTOL, Highlander). Comparable kit-built STOL LSA offering to Aeromarine's Merlin and Hyper-STOL wing technology.
• Quicksilver Aeronautics: US manufacturer of Part 103 ultralights and Light-Sport aircraft. Closest direct competitor to TrueLite and Merlin Lite in the ultralight price/weight category.
• Flight Design: German manufacturer of the CTLS and CTLE LSA/CT aircraft. Directly competes with Aeromarine's Merlin and Merlin Lite in the international LSA market with similar composite/aluminum sport configurations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/chiperwin/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/aeromarinelsa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aeromarine-consulting-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

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 Aeromarine Consulting