Lightweight Avionics with Light Sport Aircraft and Gliders in Mind 

Air Avionics, co-founded by Marc Foerderer, a long-standing German avionics company, officially made its debut in the United States on Monday, July 21st, 2025, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. With roots dating back to the late 1990s and over 27 years of manufacturing in Europe, the company formally established itself in 2007 and merged with another aviation firm in 2015. Now, they’re expanding, hoping to develop more partnerships in the near future.

Their radio module, priced at around $1,900, is already attracting attention. The transponder, still under FAA review and development indefinitely, is capable of operating across all U.S. airspaces. Priced at approximately $2,000, the transponder includes an integrated GPS and ADS-B Out capability.

Their partnership with Aithre demonstrates their abilities in cockpit integration. Air Avionics built the instrument display for Aithre’s latest oxygen system, which provides real-time health data monitoring for pilots. Additional modules include traffic ($1,299), showing weather and traffic, and the display is around $650-$750. Warning technology with the traffic system is based on the trajectory,  “trajectory-based traffic alerts,” minimizing the nuisance of the plane screaming at you. Optional add-ons like altimeters and other aftermarket components are designed to be compatible, though additional costs apply.

Their systems, particularly light-weight LRUs and displays, have a primary focus on the light sport aircraft market and gliders. The design allows for LRUs to be set up in various ways. Offering flexibility and compact installation.

Marc emphasized that they are glider pilots at heart, and the systems are made with that precision in mind. “It’s like landing a glider; there's no second chance,” he said. Nervous about entering the tight-knit U.S. aviation community, the company started at Oshkosh with two dealers and has grown to ten in a few days.

“We’re pilots too. We designed Avicons systems because we love to fly,” Marc added. “We’re investing in this market, and we’re here for the long haul.”

Fans expect to see them again at Sun ’n Fun and Oshkosh 2026.

FMI: www.air-avionics.com