Parachute Laboratories and Transcend Air Announce Strategic Partnership to Develop Advanced Full Airframe-Mounted Parachute Systems for Next-Generation VTOL Platforms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Parachute Laboratories and Transcend Air Announce Strategic Partnership to Develop Advanced Full Airframe-Mounted Parachute Systems for Next-Generation VTOL Platforms
DeLand, Florida & Carlisle, Massachusetts — May 18, 2026 — Parachute Laboratories, Inc. (PLabs), a leader in parachute design, manufacturing, and RDT&E since 1969, has entered a strategic partnership with Transcend Air Corporation, developer of the high-speed Vy-series tilt-wing VTOL aircraft. Under the agreement, PLabs will provide comprehensive Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) services for full airframe-mounted parachute systems tailored to Transcend Air’s innovative Platforms, while Transcend Air will supply technical support and platform expertise to advance PLabs’ SBIR/STTR initiatives.
This collaboration combines PLabs’ decades of expertise in precision parachute systems, harnesses, and safety-critical hardware with Transcend Air’s cutting-edge Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft designs. The partnership aims to enhance safety features for high-speed regional air mobility, delivering robust, certifiable whole-airframe parachute solutions that align with Transcend Air’s commitment to industry-leading safety standards.
“PLabs has always prioritized performance, reliability, and safety above all else,” said Erick Kinney, President of Parachute Laboratories. “Partnering with Transcend Air allows us to bring our engineering excellence to next-generation VTOL platforms. We’re thrilled to support their vision for safer, more accessible air travel while expanding our capabilities in advanced airframe-mounted systems.”
Transcend Air’s Vy aircraft family is engineered for jet-speed city-to-city travel with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. The integration of advanced full airframe-mounted parachutes will further strengthen safety redundancies for these platforms.
“We are excited to collaborate with PLabs on this extraordinarily valuable safety technology,” said Peter H. Schmidt, COO of Transcend Air. “Their proven track record in parachute innovation, combined with our aircraft expertise, will help us set new benchmarks for VTOL safety and reliability. This partnership is part of our shared vision for advancing aerospace technology responsibly.”
Operations for the partnership will leverage PLabs’ established facility in DeLand, Florida, with support from High Energy Systems’ broader manufacturing capabilities. The collaboration is expected to accelerate development timelines, testing protocols, and certification efforts for integrated parachute systems.
About Parachute Laboratories, Inc. Founded in 1969, Parachute Laboratories, Inc. designs, tests, and manufactures high-performance parachute systems for sport, military, student, and tandem use. Known for the Racer harness/container system and a wide range of components and training aids, PLabs maintains the industry’s highest safety standards. Parachute Laboratories Inc became a part of the High Energy Systems family based out of Bassfield, Mississippi, in May 2026.
About Transcend Air Corporation Transcend Air is developing a family of high-speed tiltwing VTOL aircraft designed to transform regional air mobility. The Vy series is designed to offer jet-speed, sustainable, comfortable, affordable, and safe point-to-point travel in full accord with FAA Powered Lift certification requirements.
Media Contacts:
High Energy Systems Brina Berge 702-664-4256 brina@highenergysys.com www.highenergysys.com
Parachute Laboratories Mary Ann / 386-734-5867 sales@plabsinc.com www.plabsinc.com
Transcend Air Corporation Peter Schmidt / 781-883-4818 peter@transcend.aero https://transcend.aero/
