Aerospace Sites Take Off.

While countless B2B startups crashed and burned in the aerospace sector during last year's Internet mania, newborn companies with solid business models are still getting funded.

One of the latest startups to lift off is Redondo Beach-based Aerospace Hardware Exchange, which went live in early February and already has a bustling commerce exchange.

According to CFO Jim Stephenson, AHX already has around 200 aerospace companies as members and has generated revenues after only one month of operation.

AHX claims to be the only "neutral" online marketplace dedicated to buying and selling aerospace hardware. That huge industry -- which involves the buying and selling of fasteners, bearings, bushings, electrical components, connectors, mechanical seals, fittings and adapters -- is dominated on the Web by the manufacturers themselves.

But brick-and-mortar industry giants like Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman (all of which have their own B2B exchanges) are increasingly looking to partner with independent startups like AHX to make their online exchanges more comprehensive and user-friendly.

However, standalone business models like AHX's will probably be slow to develop, in part because of the industry's rigid quality control and traceability standards, according to Jon Kutler, president of Quarterdeck Investments.