Avilution recently broke ground at Huntsville International Airport for its facility to produce groundbreaking avionics software.

“We are really excited to be here, celebrating Avilution – and the groundbreaking technology that will transform the aviation industry,” said Rick Tucker, CEO of the Port of Huntsville.

Avilution customers “are innovative pioneers who are building the next generation of general aviation aircraft.” (Photo/Steve Babin)

“Huntsville International Airport is proud to be home to Avilution,” said Tucker. “Being that we are an airport and the software being developed by Avilution is avionics framework, we couldn’t think of a better location for the facility. We are excited to see world-class software that is shaping our industry being developed right here in Huntsville.”

Founded by Mark Spencer, Avilution got its start in 2010 and has been focused on the avionics industry since 2015.

Spencer said Avilution approaches avionics as a software problem rather than as a hardware problem, which gives them a lot of flexibility and allows them to bring products to market more quickly than a more traditional approach.

“Our customers are innovative pioneers who are building the next generation of general aviation aircraft,” said Spencer.” “We are working to provide customized solutions that fit the aircraft’s mission and unique requirements.”

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong were also on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking.

Battle spoke of the importance of having entrepreneurs – serial entrepreneurs, in particular, “that drive the local economy by starting business after business. Spencer is that kind of entrepreneur,” said Battle.

“Mark not only has a bright mind, but makes an effort to help people,” said Strong.

The avionics framework developed by Avilution is called eXtensible Flight System (XFS). This framework allows for the rapid development of robust and future-proof avionics that free the consumer from vendor lock-in and obsolescence.

Avilution’s first packaged commercial offering, the Unpanel, is an avionics package tailor-made for VFR pilots. The new facility will house up to 24 employees and the facility is slated to be completed in late October.

“Mark is going to change the industry by transforming the world of avionics,” said Tucker.