What frakes aviation does

Frakes Aviation is a privately-held, specialty manufacturer of FAA-certified aircraft exhaust systems, founded in 1967 and headquartered in Cleburne, Texas (2101 W. Kilpatrick). The company designs and produces low-profile, aerodynamic exhaust stacks primarily for the Beechcraft King Air series of turbine-powered aircraft, holding both FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) certifications. Its core product — branded as "Clean Running Exhaust Stacks" — is engineered to be highly polished and aerodynamically shaped, marketed to reduce soot accumulation on nacelles and wings by 90-95% versus factory stacks and to increase airspeed on most King Air models. Product claims include crack-resistant construction and a 7-year unlimited hours warranty, with a 24-hour loaner/exchange stack service available even after warranty expiration.

The business operates a single-product, single-niche model targeting King Air owners and operators seeking replacement or upgrade exhaust hardware. Revenue is generated through direct hardware sales conducted primarily via phone inquiry, supported by installation services delivered through a global network of "Approved Installers"; US distribution is direct while export sales are handled on an inquiry basis. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, and the company markets itself on a "best value" positioning rather than published price points. The customer base is fragmented — individual aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers — with no named enterprise customers or B2B anchor accounts disclosed.

The company is small and tightly scoped: no headcount, revenue, ownership, or capital structure data is publicly available, and there are no recorded funding events, M&A activity, or executive changes in the source data. With products installed on more than 1,000 King Airs and 57+ years of continuous operation, Frakes Aviation appears to be a founder- or family-controlled specialty manufacturer operating in a narrow, regulatory-protected segment of the general aviation aftermarket with no visible expansion beyond the King Air exhaust stack niche.

Name

frakes aviation

Legal name

Frakes Aviation

Website

https://frakesaviation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Frakes Aviation, founded in 1967 and based in Cleburne, Texas, manufactures FAA STC- and PMA-certified low-profile aerodynamic exhaust stacks for Beechcraft King Air turbine aircraft, selling direct in the US and through a global Approved Installer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aircraft Replacement Parts (Exhaust Stacks)

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Inlets, Nacelles & Thrust Reversers (IMABADAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Nacelles, Fairings & Aerodynamic Structures (IMABAEAE)

Keywords

• Aircraft exhaust stacks
• FAA certified parts
• King Air components
• Turbine aircraft exhaust
• Aviation replacement parts

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleburne

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

Revenue model

1. Exhaust Stack Sales: One-time hardware sales of aircraft exhaust stacks for Beechcraft King Air aircraft. Revenue generated through direct purchase of replacement stacks with associated warranty coverage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Frakes Aviation manufactures and sells FAA STC and PMA approved exhaust stacks primarily for Beechcraft King Air turbine aircraft. The highly polished, low-profile aerodynamic Clean Running Exhaust Stacks are designed to virtually eliminate exhaust stains on nacelles and wings, reduce soot by 90-95%, and increase airspeed on most models. Sales are direct in the US with worldwide installation provided through an Approved Installers Network.

Product overview

Frakes Aviation is an FAA STC and PMA approved manufacturer established in 1967, specializing in aircraft exhaust stacks for King Airs and other aircraft. The company offers a single core product line—the Clean Running Exhaust Stacks—which are highly polished, aerodynamic stacks that reduce soot by 90-95%, virtually eliminate exhaust stains, and reportedly increase airspeed. The product portfolio includes the primary exhaust stack offering along with associated support services such as loaner or exchange stack programs. All products are backed by a seven-year warranty with unlimited hours coverage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clean Running Exhaust Stacks FAA STC and PMA approved highly polished, low-profile, aerodynamic aircraft exhaust stacks designed for Beechcraft King Air series turbine aircraft. The stacks virtually eliminate exhaust stains on nacelles and wings, reduce soot by 90-95% compared to factory stacks, and increase airspeed on most models. Sold directly to US customers with installation available worldwide through the Approved Installers Network. Backed by a 7-year unlimited hours warranty with 24-hour loaner/exchange stack support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90-95% less soot on nacelle and wing surfaces
• +3 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• PowerFlow Systems: PowerFlow Systems is a direct competitor that manufactures aftermarket exhaust stacks and tunable exhaust systems specifically for the Beechcraft King Air, overlapping directly with Frakes' core product, customer base, and FAA-certified aftermarket value proposition.
• McFarlane Aviation: McFarlane Aviation is a broad FAA-PMA aircraft parts manufacturer and distributor serving the general aviation aftermarket, including exhaust and engine accessory components. It is comparable to Frakes as a PMA-certified supplier selling certified replacement parts into the same King Air/GA owner-operator channel.
• LP Aero Plastics: LP Aero Plastics manufactures PMA-approved nacelles, fairings, cowlings, and aerodynamic structural components for general aviation aircraft including the King Air. It is comparable to Frakes as a FAA-certified aftermarket structural/exhaust-related component supplier serving the same Beechcraft installed base.

Broad incumbents

• Hartzell Engine Tech: Hartzell Engine Tech is a broader aerospace aftermarket supplier of engine accessories and replacement components for general aviation and turboprop platforms. It overlaps with Frakes through its engine accessory portfolio and similar PMA-certified aftermarket go-to-market model.
• Continental Aerospace Technologies: Continental Aerospace Technologies manufactures piston and turbine engines and certified replacement parts for general aviation aircraft. It is comparable as a FAA-certified manufacturer selling engine-related components and accessories into the same GA owner-operator aftermarket.
• Engine Components International (ECi): ECi is a PMA-approved manufacturer of engine replacement parts, cylinder assemblies, and accessories for general aviation piston and turbine engines. It is comparable to Frakes as a certified aftermarket parts manufacturer serving similar owner-operator and installer channels.
• Donaldson Aerospace & Defense: Donaldson Aerospace & Defense manufactures filtration and exhaust-related components for aviation platforms. It overlaps with Frakes in the broader engine exhaust and air management component category for turbine-powered aircraft.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell Aerospace is a major Tier 1 aerospace supplier of engines, avionics, and accessories, including exhaust and propulsion system components. It is comparable to Frakes only at the broadest industry level as a much larger incumbent operating across the entire aerospace value chain.
• Pratt & Whitney: Pratt & Whitney is a major OEM manufacturer of turboprop and turbofan engines used across commercial, military, and general aviation. It is comparable to Frakes as a turboprop engine ecosystem participant, although Frakes operates in the certified aftermarket rather than the OEM engine space.

Others

• Aircraft Spruce & Specialty: Aircraft Spruce is a large distributor of aircraft parts, accessories, and pilot supplies serving general aviation including the King Air owner community. It is comparable as a distribution channel that reaches the same end customer base that Frakes targets with its Approved Installer network.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/frakes-aviation-inc

Compliance2 records

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 frakes aviation