McFarlane Aviation has acquired Anchorage-based Airglas, Inc., integrating the specialized manufacturer of backcountry aircraft skis and cargo pods into its global distribution network while keeping production in Alaska.

Announced on September 30, 2026, the acquisition brings Airglas composite skis, heavy-duty nose forks, and fuel pods into the newly formed McFarlane Alaska brand. The move consolidates McFarlane Aviation’s hold on the ruggedized aviation modification market and provides Airglas with expanded international reach, according to the company’s press release.

Expanding the Alaska footprint

Airglas, founded in 1955, holds AS9100 certification and supplies equipment for general aviation aircraft, including Cessna, Piper, Maule, GippsAero Airvan, and Husky models. The company also manufactures specialized components for military rotorcraft, including the Boeing AH-64 Apache and Boeing CH-47 Chinook. Airglas currently serves customers in more than 30 countries.

Under the terms of the agreement, Airglas will maintain its manufacturing facility and workforce in Anchorage. McFarlane Aviation Chief Executive Officer Scott Still stated that adding Airglas to the company portfolio strengthens its commitment to the Alaska market and expands its general aviation and military business.

Adding Airglas to our family of brands strengthens our commitment to the Alaska market, expands our general aviation and military business, and advances our mission to keep customers flying. Wherever our customers fly, we want the equipment they depend on within easy reach.

Airglas Owner and President Shane Langland emphasized the importance of local production for specialized backcountry equipment. According to reporting by Aviation International News, Langland noted the acquisition provides a balance between local manufacturing and global sales.

We have spent decades building equipment for pilots who land where there is no runway. Joining McFarlane lets our team keep doing that work here in Alaska, while McFarlane’s distribution network puts our products in reach of pilots and mechanics around the world.

Consolidation in the backcountry market

The Airglas acquisition is the latest step in a broader consolidation of the Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) and backcountry aviation modification sector. McFarlane Aviation, based in Baldwin City, Kansas, has systematically expanded its catalog of Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) components through targeted acquisitions of niche aviation brands, including previous purchases of PMA Products and CJ Aviation.

In 2022, the company acquired Airforms, a manufacturer known for engine baffles and Cessna Caravan components. This strategy accelerated in early 2026. On April 21, 2026, McFarlane launched the “McFarlane Alaska” brand, establishing a retail and distribution hub in Palmer, Alaska. According to Alaska Business Magazine, this move consolidated the product lines of recently acquired Alaskan Bushwheels and Airframes Alaska.

Airglas products are now immediately available through the McFarlane Alaska distribution network. Aviation International News reported that the full Airglas catalog will be integrated into the main McFarlane Aviation global distribution system by late 2026.

Corporate restructuring under TransDigm

The rapid expansion of McFarlane’s backcountry portfolio follows a major corporate transition for its parent organization. McFarlane Aviation operates under Victor Sierra Aviation Holdings. On April 7, 2026, aerospace conglomerate TransDigm Group completed a $2.2 billion acquisition of Victor Sierra Aviation Holdings and Jet Parts Engineering.

Backed by TransDigm Group capital, McFarlane now offers more than 35,000 parts. The integration of Airglas adds specialized composite manufacturing capabilities to this portfolio, particularly in the niche market of aircraft skis and heavy-duty nose forks designed for off-airport operations. The acquisition allows McFarlane to scale Airglas production through its established global supply chain while maintaining the specialized engineering knowledge base in Anchorage.

AirPro News analysis

We view the Airglas acquisition as a clear indicator that TransDigm Group intends to aggressively scale McFarlane Aviation’s footprint in the specialized aftermarket parts sector. By rolling legacy, family-owned Alaskan manufacturers like Airglas, Airframes Alaska, and Alaskan Bushwheels into a single corporate structure, McFarlane is effectively cornering the market for ruggedized STOL modifications. Keeping production in Alaska preserves the brand authenticity and specialized workforce required for these components, while routing sales through a centralized, global distribution network maximizes margin and volume.

Global aerospace manufacturer and aftermarket provider Ontic officially opened a 72,000-square-foot Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, on October 2, 2026. The site consolidates the company’s United Kingdom aftermarket operations into a single hub designed to support established aircraft fleets.

The opening represents a major milestone in a $30 million global investment strategy aimed at expanding Ontic’s MRO capacity, according to a company press release. The Tewkesbury site brings together 200 specialists, including engineers, technicians, and supply chain personnel, to provide lifetime repair and maintenance support for thousands of licensed product lines.

Expanding global aftermarket infrastructure

The Tewkesbury facility is equipped with dedicated IT systems and specialized infrastructure to handle complex aerospace repairs. Capabilities at the site include pneumatic and hydraulic testing, an ISO7 clean room avionics workshop, non-destructive testing (NDT), a machine shop, and a dark room.

In December 2025, the facility passed critical audits to achieve BSI AS9100 certification. It also secured Part 145 approvals from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Ontic expects to receive additional approvals from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in early Q4 2026.

“The opening of our Tewkesbury MRO facility marks a step-change in how we support our customers. By consolidating all our UK aftermarket expertise in one dedicated site, we are investing in the people, capability and infrastructure to consistently deliver a faster, more responsive and more transparent service. Alongside our new Miramar facility in the US, this is a significant milestone in our commitment to keeping established fleets flying safely for decades to come.”

The statement was provided by Brian Sartain, Chief Operating Officer of Ontic. Dave Mayne, MRO Director for Europe, added that the rapid launch of the site was driven by a focus on delivering immediate benefits to customers across product, people, and process decisions.

A broader strategy of acquisitions and capacity growth

The Tewkesbury opening follows a series of strategic expansions by Ontic to capture a larger share of the aerospace aftermarket. As major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) focus resources on new technologies and platforms, Ontic acts as a licensing partner, taking on responsibility for legacy and non-core product lines. By holding proprietary data, tooling, and test equipment, the company performs repairs to original OEM standards, offering obsolescence management and reducing operators’ total cost of ownership.

The $30 million global investment strategy previously funded the opening of a 64,000-square-foot MRO Center of Excellence in Miramar, Florida, in November 2025. To complement its MRO operations, Ontic signed a long-term lease in June 2026 for a 100,000-square-foot original equipment manufacturing facility in nearby Weston, Florida, with operations expected to begin in 2027.

The company has also pursued growth through acquisitions. On October 1, 2026, Ontic acquired Wichita-based Aero-Mach Companies, adding three aviation brands to its portfolio and further expanding its US footprint. Backed by CVC Capital Partners, Ontic now employs more than 1,700 people across 10 global sites in the US, UK, and Singapore.

Bharat Forge Ltd. and Pratt & Whitney Canada have finalized a long-term agreement for the supply of critical aerospace engine components, anchored by the construction of a new advanced ring mill in Baramati, Maharashtra.

Announced in a joint press release on August 1, 2025, the facility is expected to become operational in 2026. The agreement represents a significant expansion of India‘s domestic aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supports Pratt & Whitney’s strategy to build a resilient global supply chain.

Expanding the aerospace supply chain in India

The new Baramati facility will focus on processing specialty alloys required for high-stress aerospace forging applications. The ring mill is designed to support both domestic and international aerospace programs, supplying components directly to Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of RTX.

Amit Kalyani, Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd., stated that the new facility marks a significant step in advancing India’s manufacturing capabilities in high-value aerospace components.

“We are excited to deepen our strategic relationship with Pratt & Whitney Canada through the establishment of this new ring mill. It not only reinforces our commitment to the global aerospace ecosystem but also marks a significant step in advancing India’s manufacturing capabilities in high-value aerospace components.”

Pratt & Whitney has maintained a presence in India for more than seven decades and currently employs more than 800 people in the country. Frederic Lefebvre, Vice President of Supply Chain at Pratt & Whitney Canada, noted that the agreement underscores the manufacturer’s commitment to building a resilient global supply chain and advancing the local aerospace ecosystem.

Transitioning to advanced aerospace manufacturing

Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, Bharat Forge is the flagship company of the Kalyani Group, which was founded in 1961. Historically recognized as a global provider of steel forgings and machined components for the automotive, railway, and energy sectors, the company has actively transitioned toward advanced aerospace and defense systems manufacturing.

The establishment of the dedicated aerospace ring mill aligns with the Indian government’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, which translates to a self-reliant India. The policy aims to boost indigenous manufacturing and defense capabilities, reducing reliance on imported components and systems.

As global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) seek to diversify their supply chains, India has positioned itself as a primary destination for aerospace and defense manufacturing investment. The Baramati facility will allow Bharat Forge to process complex materials required for modern turbine engines, moving the company up the value chain from traditional forging operations into specialized aerospace metallurgy.

Recent developments in unmanned aerial systems

Following the August 2025 ring mill announcement, the two companies expanded their relationship the following year. On September 15, 2026, Bharat Forge and Pratt & Whitney Canada announced a collaboration to evaluate the integration of advanced turboprop engines into India’s High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program.

The HALE UAV is currently being designed and developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Under the terms of the September 2026 agreement, Bharat Forge will lead the engine-airframe integration process. Pratt & Whitney Canada will be responsible for evaluating engine compatibility and overall performance metrics for the platform.

AirPro News analysis

We view the rapid progression of the Bharat Forge and Pratt & Whitney Canada partnership as a clear indicator of shifting global aerospace supply chain dynamics. The initial August 2025 agreement for the Baramati ring mill established a foundation for high-value component manufacturing. The September 2026 expansion into engine-airframe integration for the DRDO HALE UAV program demonstrates a much faster maturation curve.

Global OEMs are actively working to eliminate single points of failure in their supply networks. By moving beyond basic component supply and into complex systems integration within a 13-month window, Bharat Forge is proving that India’s domestic defense sector can absorb and execute advanced aerospace engineering tasks. This transition supports the broader strategic goals of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative while providing Western engine manufacturers with a capable, scalable industrial base outside of traditional North American and European hubs.