This isn’t an easy update to share, but after a lot of thought, we’ve made the difficult decision to close the MakerPlane Store.

When we first launched the store, the goal was simple: to make open-source avionics more accessible. By offering pre-built units, kits, displays, and other tools, we hoped to remove barriers for builders who wanted affordable alternatives without spending thousands on commercial avionics. For many years, we’re proud to say the store accomplished that. It helped bring open-source avionics into real cockpits, test benches, workshops, and homebuilders’ projects all over the world.

From the beginning, the MakerPlane store was never intended to be a profit-driven venture. The goal was simply to bring in enough revenue to cover the cost of materials, assembly labour, and the ongoing work required to keep these products available, while helping offset the broader costs of running the MakerPlane community.  Things like website hosting, infrastructure, and past outreach efforts such as attendance at AirVenture.   We never achieved any revenue goal, but it was fun and a lot was learned!

Over time however the balance became harder to maintain. Parts have become much more expensive, and recent international shipping and tariff challenges made it significantly more difficult and costly to get finished hardware into customers’ hands. At the same time, returning to uniform with the Air Force here in Canada has reduced the amount of spare time I can realistically spend at a workbench with a soldering iron. Eventually, it reached a point where operating the store simply isn’t sustainable anymore.  (I mean from just normally unsustainable to really, really unsustainable!).

That said, the closure of the store does not mean MakerPlane is going anywhere.

The MakerPlane project, documentation, GitHub repositories, and main website will all remain online. We’re still fully committed to open-source aviation and to supporting the builders, experimenters, and volunteers who make this community what it is. The end of the store is simply the end of one chapter.

To wind down store operations and clear remaining inventory, we are offering a 40% store-wide closing sale, available while supplies last. Once an item sells out, that will be the last of it.

We want to sincerely thank everyone who supported the store over the years, whether you purchased an instrument, shared feedback, or simply followed along with the project. The store existed for as long as it did because of this community, and we’re genuinely grateful for your support and enthusiasm.

If you’ve been considering picking up a unit or spare, now is the time. Once the sale ends and the remaining hardware is gone, the store will officially close.

Thank you again for being part of MakerPlane and for believing in open-source aviation. We’re looking forward to continuing the journey with you.

— John Nicol
MakerPlane Founder