Scandinavian Avionics to Service Nighthawk Flight Systems Legacy Products for European Operators
Why It MattersThe deal shows how legacy avionics support increasingly moves to regional partners as manufacturers expand internationally, keeping older certified equipment serviceable without OEMs building out local infrastructure themselves.
What happened
European operators flying aircraft equipped with Nighthawk Flight Systems legacy flight displays can now have their avionics serviced by Scandinavian Avionics, headquartered at Billund Airport (EKBI) in Denmark. Under the new partnership, Scandinavian Avionics, part of the SA Group, will provide in-house installations and repairs, establish a spares pool for AOG exchange and loaner capabilities, and serve as dealer coordinator for European operators of the legacy avionics.
The supported products include Nighthawk's primary attitude display, navigation display, terrain awareness and warning systems, and other equipment originally manufactured by Sandel Avionics. Nighthawk acquired the Sandel product line in 2022 and has since developed the Guardian integrated avionics suite, a new large-format system available for Class I and II Part 23 aircraft, with additional certifications expected in the near term.
"Local support for our customers is a priority, and it becomes even more important as our footprint grows internationally," said Nighthawk CEO Paul Martin. "Operators who have trusted Nighthawk systems for years deserve a service partner who is close by, knows the equipment, and can respond quickly. Scandinavian Avionics has built exactly that kind of reputation across Europe."
Industry impact & what to watch
This arrangement is a common shape in avionics aftermarket support: an OEM that acquired a product line brings on a regional dealer-and-repair partner rather than staffing its own service network abroad. It lets Nighthawk keep Sandel-originated displays and terrain awareness systems flying under warranty and repair coverage without opening a European facility of its own.
In this segment, spares pooling and AOG exchange capability matter as much as the repair work itself, since an operator grounded by a failed display needs a loaner or exchange unit fast, not a shipment from overseas. Scandinavian Avionics taking on the dealer-coordinator role suggests Nighthawk is routing European sales and support decisions through a single local point of contact rather than handling them directly.
What happens with the Guardian suite's pending certifications will determine whether this partnership stays focused on legacy Sandel-era equipment or expands to cover Nighthawk's newer large-format system as it clears additional approvals.
