Sierra Hotel Aero

What Sierra Hotel Aero does

Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc. is an FAA-certified aircraft maintenance, modification, and precision machining company operating from a 7,200 square foot facility at Fleming Field Airport in South St. Paul, Minnesota. The company is a Federal Aviation Administration Production Approval Holder (PAH) with an approved Quality Control System, a Department of Defense (DOD) certified military parts supplier, and the Type Certificate Holder for the Navion Aircraft. Its service offering spans annual and pre-buy inspections, avionics and panel upgrades, structural and composite repairs, engine and firewall-forward work, complete rebuilds, and FAA-certified installations of major partner products including Garmin, Aspen Avionics, Avidyne, BRS parachutes, D'Shannon Genesis conversions, and SureFly ignition modules. The team is described as having over 150 years of combined A&P/IA mechanic and structural engineering experience, backed by Designated Engineering Representative (DER) capability across structures, powerplant, and electrical/avionics systems.

Name

Sierra Hotel Aero

Legal name

Sierra Hotel Aero, Inc.

Website

https://sierrahotelaero.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sierra Hotel Aero is an FAA-certified aircraft maintenance, modification, and precision machining shop in South St. Paul, MN, serving general aviation owners (Cessna, Navion) and military parts customers with inspections, avionics upgrades, structural repairs, PMA parts, and DER engineering.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Conversion & Modification (STC/Completions) (IMABAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Airframe Maintenance & Repair (EDAOAFAA), Aircraft Inspection, Quality Assurance & Airworthiness (IA Prep) (EDAOAFAE)

Keywords

• Aircraft maintenance services
• Precision CNC machining
• Avionics upgrades
• FAA PMA parts
• Structural aircraft repair

Headquarters

HQ city

South Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Maintenance and Inspection Services: Provide maintenance, inspections, pre-buy inspections, annual inspections for general aviation aircraft
2. Aircraft Modification and Upgrade Services: Complete panel installations, avionics upgrades, LED light upgrades, BRS parachute installs, engine upgrades, structural repairs, composite repairs, insurance repairs, complete rebuilds
3. PMA Parts Manufacturing and Sales: FAA/PMA approved manufacturing and sale of fuel selector valves, gascolators, and other aviation parts
4. Precision Machining Services: CNC machining and turning of aluminum, steel, titanium, stainless steel, plastics with Boeing Aircraft approved coolant
5. Navion Aircraft Re-manufacturing and Upgrading: Re-manufacturing and upgrading Navion aircraft including fuselage, wings, cowlings and flight controls
6. Engineering and DER Services: Engineering and DER services for structures, powerplant and electrical/avionics systems

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Sierra Hotel Aero provides FAA-certified aircraft maintenance, inspections, avionics upgrades, structural and composite repairs, precision CNC machining, and PMA/STC parts manufacturing for general aviation and military aircraft. As a Type Certificate Holder for the Navion Aircraft, the company also re-manufactures and upgrades Navion aircraft, offering a one-stop aviation services facility at its Fleming Field Airport location in South St. Paul, Minnesota.

Product overview

Sierra Hotel Aero is an FAA-certified aircraft maintenance, repair, and manufacturing facility (Production Approval Holder with Quality Control System) specializing in general aviation aircraft. The company operates a 7,200 sq ft facility at Fleming Field Airport in South St. Paul, MN with over 150 years of combined A&P/IA mechanic experience. Their product portfolio comprises three main categories: (1) PMA/STC Aviation Parts they manufacture or resell including fuel selector valves (Cessna/Navion), gascolators, BRS parachutes, HID lights, LP Aero windows, AWI tuned exhaust systems, and Alpha AOA products; (2) Electronics International avionics products (MVP-50 and CGR-30P engine monitors); and (3) Comprehensive services including precision CNC machining (aluminum, steel, titanium, stainless steel, plastics), avionics/electrical upgrades (Garmin, Aspen, Stratus, Avidyne, Alpha, S-Tec, Free Flight), instrument panel upgrades, structural repairs, composite work, LED/HID light installations, D'Shannon Genesis conversions, BRS parachute installs, SureFly magneto replacements, TANIS heater installs, and Navion re-manufacturing. The company is also the Type Certificate Holder for the Navion aircraft.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PMA Fuel Selector Valves FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) fuel selector valves for Cessna 120/140 and Navion aircraft. Sold directly by Sierra Hotel Aero to aircraft owners and operators.
• STC'd Gascolators FAA STC-approved fuel strainers/gascolators for Navion and Cessna 120/140 aircraft, sold with install kits by Sierra Hotel Aero.
• BRS Parachute Sale of BRS ballistic recovery parachutes for Cessna 172 (1974+) and 182 (1964+) aircraft.
• Alpha AOA Products Sale of Alpha Systems Angle of Attack (AOA) indicators and systems including the Eagle Kit and Valkyrie HUD, with installation and customer support.
• Electronics International Products Resale of Electronics International avionics products including MVP-50 Glass Engine Monitor and CGR-30P 1/8 inch Engine Monitor.
• LP Aero Windows Sale and installation of LP Aero Plastics Inc. high-quality acrylic windshields and windows for aircraft.
• AWI Tuned Exhaust System Sale of AWI tuned exhaust systems for IO-Series engine Navion aircraft, engineered for specific model engine mounts.
• HID Lights Sale and installation of High Intensity Discharge (HID) aircraft lights.
• Precision Machining Service Full-service CNC machining including milling and turning of aluminum, steel, titanium, stainless steel, and plastics, with Boeing Aircraft approved coolant. Includes design support, CAD/CAM, material selection, special finishes, and prototyping for aircraft parts customers.
• Maintenance & Inspection Services Aircraft maintenance and inspection services including annual inspections, pre-buy inspections, and general upkeep for general aviation aircraft owners.
• Avionics & Electrical Upgrades Comprehensive avionics installation and electrical system upgrades featuring products from Garmin, Aspen Avionics, Avidyne, Appareo Stratus, Alpha Systems, S-Tec, and FreeFlight Systems.
• Instrument Panel Upgrades Custom instrument panel upgrades and modifications for various aircraft types, featuring before/after photo examples.
• BRS Parachute Installation Specialized installation of BRS ballistic recovery parachutes in Cessna 172 and 182 aircraft, with annual inspections, repack, and line cutting services. Includes the first parachute installation in a Cessna 182 and the most Cessna 172/182 installs to date.
• Structural Repairs Structural repair services for various aircraft including landing gear box repairs, wing repairs, and fuselage repairs and beef-up installations.
• D'Shannon Genesis Conversion Installation Certified D'Shannon Genesis Conversion installation, the only Genesis-certified install in the Midwest. Includes Continental Motors IO-550B engine upgrade, cooling improvements, aileron/flap gap seals, tip tanks, and gross weight increase up to 4,010 lbs.
• LED Light Installation LED landing light upgrades and installations for aircraft including Piper Mirage, Piper Cheyenne, Beechcraft Baron, and Navion.
• Osborne Tip Tank Installation Installation of Osborne Tip Tanks (now owned by GAMI) for increased range and endurance on general aviation aircraft.
• Composites Services Advanced composite repair and manufacturing services for aircraft, with photo examples of completed composite work.
• TANIS Heater Installation Installation of TANIS aircraft heater products for pre-heating and climate control systems.
• SureFly Installation Installation of the FAA-certified SureFly electronic (solid-state) magneto replacement (SureFly Ignition Module), which replaces conventional magnetos on aircraft engines.
• Navion Re-manufacturing & Upgrading Re-manufacturing and complete upgrades for Navion aircraft including fuselage, wings, cowlings, and flight controls. Provided under Sierra Hotel Aero's authority as the Navion Aircraft Type Certificate Holder.
• CAD Drawing & Reverse Engineering 3D CAD modeling services for part creation from specifications and reverse engineering of existing parts, with full design support from concept through CAD/CAM to finished machined parts.
• Paperwork & Approvals Services Assistance with missing paperwork, manuals, new part installations, and field approval submissions for aircraft modifications and repairs.
• Engineering & DER Services Engineering and Designated Engineering Representative (DER) services covering aircraft structures, powerplant, and electrical/avionics systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• First parachute installed in Cessna 182 and most Cessna 172/182 BRS installs completed to date
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Aspen AvionicscoreTechnology or IntegrationSierra Hotel Aero installs Aspen avionics products including Evolution 2000 and Evolution 1000 glass cockpit systems
• AvidynecoreTechnology or IntegrationSierra Hotel Aero installs Avidyne IFD-Series touch screen navigators
• Alpha Systems (Alpha AOA)coreTechnology or IntegrationSierra Hotel Aero sells, installs, and offers customer support on Alpha AOA products including Eagle Kit and Valkyrie HUD
• FreeFlight SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationSierra Hotel Aero provides FreeFlight systems installations
• Appareo (Stratus)coreTechnology or IntegrationSierra Hotel Aero installs Appareo Stratus ESGi, Stratus ESG, and Stratus 2S ADS-B In/Out systems
• D'Shannon AviationcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnly D'Shannon Certified Genesis install in the Midwest. Provides GENESIS Conversion packages including power upgrades, cooling, handling improvements, tip tanks, and payload increases up to 4,010 lbs maximum gross weight
• GarmincoreTechnology or IntegrationSierra Hotel Aero installs Garmin products including GTN 750 and G500 systems with personalized features like gear position indication and custom audible warnings
• Trio AvionicscoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified Autopilot by Trio Avionics - Pro Pilot two-axis autopilot for precise navigation and altitude control
• BRS AerospacecoreTechnology or IntegrationBallistic Recovery Systems - Sierra Hotel Aero sells and installs BRS parachutes for Cessna 172 (1974+) and 182 (1964+); installed first parachute in Cessna 182 and completed most Cessna 172/182 installs to date
• SureFlycoreTechnology or IntegrationSierra Hotel Aero is a SureFly Installation Specialist - installs FAA certified electronic (solid state) magneto replacement (SureFly Ignition Module)

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• BRS Aerospace: Manufacturer of whole-aircraft ballistic recovery parachute systems. SHA is a top-volume BRS installation partner for Cessna 172/182; BRS is an ecosystem participant whose product portfolio directly drives SHA's install revenue.

Broad incumbents

• West Star Aviation: Multi-location aviation MRO focused on airframes, engines, avionics, and interiors. Large incumbent competitor providing similar retrofit/modification services but with substantially greater scale and resources.
• Textron Aviation (Cessna Service Centers): OEM of Cessna aircraft with a network of authorized service centers that directly compete with SHA for Cessna 172/182 inspections, BRS installs, and modifications, especially given the AD 2020-18-01 bulletin on Cessna doorpost bulkheads.
• Duncan Aviation: Largest privately-held business aviation MRO in North America with 30+ locations. Larger, broader incumbent offering overlapping capabilities including avionics, airframe, and engine services that compete for the same high-end piston/turboprop customers.

Direct peers

• Stevens Aviation: Multi-location aviation MRO providing airframe, avionics, engine, and interior services. Direct competitor for general aviation maintenance, avionics upgrades, and modifications with overlapping capability set to SHA.
• Elliott Aviation: Full-service aviation MRO and aircraft sales company specializing in King Air, Citation, and Pilatus aircraft. Competes with SHA on avionics retrofits, inspections, and interior upgrades across the Midwest.
• Banyan Air Service: Fort Lauderdale-based FBO and MRO providing avionics, maintenance, and parts. Directly comparable on avionics retrofits, panel upgrades, and PMA-style parts resale/distribution.
• Yingling Aviation: Wichita-based aviation services company offering avionics, maintenance, and propeller services. Similar multi-vendor avionics install profile and general aviation customer base.
• Premier Air Center: Pacific Northwest-based MRO offering avionics installations, maintenance, and aircraft sales. Similar scale and service profile to SHA, including Garmin/panel upgrades and composite repair.

Emerging players

• D'Shannon Aviation: Niche modification developer of the Genesis Conversion package for Cessna aircraft. SHA is the only certified Midwest installer, making D'Shannon a partner but also a potential competitor if it expands installer relationships or brings work in-house.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sierra-hotel-aero

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 Sierra Hotel Aero