– ERA Partners LLC (“ERA”) announced the final close of a $485 million continuation vehicle.
– The vehicle supports aerial wildland firefighting and heavy lift companies within ERA’s American Aviation Holdings platform.
– ERA Blade Continuation Fund LP, together with its parallel fund, was substantially oversubscribed.
– Oversubscription highlights the infrastructure market’s conviction in American Aviation Holdings’ essential assets.
– Commitments came from new and existing institutional infrastructure and real assets investors, as well as specialist secondary investors.
– StepStone Group Infrastructure and Real Assets acted as the lead investor.
– The Fund will provide capital to American Aviation Holdings’ companies for growth strategies, fleet expansion, and increased domestic and international presence.
– ERA Managing Partner Ryan Barnes emphasized the growing frequency and devastating impacts of wildland fires. He highlighted aerial firefighting as an essential service to save lives and property.
– Capital will help address the global shortage of available firefighting aircraft.
– Era is founded by Ryan Barnes, Matt Carbone, and Ed Leung.