Pan Am Flight Academy Acquires Alliance Aviation

Acorn Capital Management Acquires Pan Am Flight Academy

February 20, 2025

Aerospace & Defense

Acorn Capital Management, a middle-market private equity firm focused on aerospace and defense, has acquired Pan Am Flight Academy, a Miami-based provider of flight simulator–based pilot and crew training. The acquisition — Acorn's fourth platform of its fifth fund — will support Pan Am's growth plans, including increasing its simulator fleet and pursuing organic and acquisitive expansion; financial terms were not disclosed.

Akima Acquires Pinnacle Solutions

July 3, 2023

Aerospace & Defense

Akima has completed the acquisition of Pinnacle Solutions, a Huntsville-based provider of aviation operations, flight training, simulation and sustainment services, bringing approximately 500 employees into the Akima family. The purchase expands Akima's aviation and training capabilities in the defense and aerospace markets and Pinnacle will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary under its existing leadership.

RIM Enterprises Merges with Alliance Air Parts to Form RIM Alliance

June 12, 2025

Aerospace & Defense

RIM Enterprises has merged with Alliance Air Parts to create a combined aftermarket aircraft-parts business operating as RIM Alliance. XLCS Partners served as exclusive advisor to RIM on the transaction, which closed on June 12, 2025; Alliance — which partnered with ACapitalFund in early 2024 — brings complementary teardown, distribution and rental capabilities to expand inventory, capabilities and reach.

Spartan Education Group Acquires Illinois Aviation Academy

October 17, 2023

Education

Spartan Education Group, a Chicago-based aviation education operator, acquired Illinois Aviation Academy (IAA), a Part 141 flight school located at DuPage County Airport in West Chicago, Illinois. The deal expands Spartan's flight-training offerings and capacity (IAA operates a 30,000 sq. ft. facility and a fleet of 25+ aircraft) as part of efforts to address the U.S. pilot shortage.

Textron eAviation Acquires Amazilia Aerospace

May 15, 2024

Aerospace & Defense

Textron's eAviation division has acquired substantially all the assets of Amazilia Aerospace, a Munich-based engineering firm that develops digital flight controls and vehicle management systems. The approximately 30-person Amazilia team will continue supporting Pipistrel programs including the Surveyor and Nuuva V300 as Textron expands its electric aviation and cargo UAV capabilities.

Spartan Education Group Acquires Aviator Air Flight School

October 15, 2025

Education

Spartan Education Group (SEG) has acquired Aviator Air Flight School, LLC, a flight training location and FBO at Grand Prairie Municipal Airport in Grand Prairie, Texas. SEG assumed ownership and operations on October 15, 2025, expanding its nationwide pilot training network and adding FAA Part 61 flight training capacity in the Dallas–Fort Worth market.