A Katten team led by Partner and Global Co-Chair of Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity J. David Washburn represented the former shareholders of The Av8 Group (Av8) in connection with the sale of their stock to Victor Sierra Aviation Holdings (VSA) and the subsequent sale of their rolled equity and contingent value interests in VSA to TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE: TDG). The Av8/VSA transaction closed April 4, 2025 while the VSA/TDG transaction closed April 7, 2026.
Av8 is a leading FAA-PMA manufacturer and FAA and EASA-approved Repair Station specializing in business and regional aviation. VSA was the parent holding company of legacy general aviation companies APS, McFarlane Aviation and Tempest Aero Group.
In the most recent transaction, TDG simultaneously acquired both Jet Parts Engineering and VSA, which included Av8, for approximately $2.2 billion in cash, including certain tax benefits.
The Katten team also included M&A and Private Equity Associate Weston Love, Tax Planning Partner Todd Hatcher and Tax Planning Associate Jeffrey Ng.
"TransDigm Completes Acquisition of Jet Parts Engineering and Victor Sierra Aviation Holdings," PRNewswire, April 7, 2026