International Test Pilots School

What International Test Pilots School does

International Test Pilots School (ITPS), operating as ITPS (Canada) Ltd., is a privately held, for-profit aerospace training institution headquartered at London International Airport in London, Ontario, and is one of only nine internationally recognised test pilot schools in the world. The school delivers EASA ATO-approved Civil Pilot CAT-1 and CAT-2 Flight Test Ratings, Lead Flight Testing Engineer courses, Avionics flight test courses, UAS test and evaluation training, and Master of Science programmes in Flight Test Engineering and Flight Testing, using a fleet of more than 20 aircraft types (including L-39 jets, Sikorsky S-76, Bo 105, and the Grumman HU-16C Albatross ATLAS), the Advanced Aircraft Simulation Centre with 19 simulators and mixed reality, and a team of more than 30 full-time fixed and rotary wing flight test instructors. Its courses are recognised by the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) and the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE), and graduates have come from over 25 air arms across its history.

The company earns revenue through four primary streams: (1) flight test training services (CAT-1, CAT-2, FTE, Master of Science, UAS, Avionics) sold on a bespoke, quote-based, multi-year basis; (2) flight test consulting, providing contracted test pilots, flight test engineers, analysts, project management, instrumentation, and certification support to civil aerospace manufacturers such as Airbus Defense and Space, Leonardo, Honeywell, Embraer, Diamond Aircraft, Grob, and Heli-One; (3) advanced tactical training via the International Tactical Training Centre (ITTC) at Jack Garland Airport in North Bay, Ontario, targeting NATO and allied air forces and backed by a planned $35 million capital investment and Leonardo M-346 T Block 20 aircraft; and (4) recurring industry events such as the annual ITPS Flight Test Seminar. Go-to-market is sales-led, executed through direct engagement with military and government clients globally, government-to-government contracting (e.g., Royal Netherlands Air Force via CertCentreCanada), strategic industry partnerships, and a global representative network, with additional international delivery through the ITPS Türkiye joint venture with Turkish Aerospace (established 2023).

ITPS is in an active growth phase: it is expanding headcount to approximately 60 staff at ITTC, launching ITTC operations on 6 July 2026, and has recently won contracts and partnerships with the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (2026), Ethiopian Air Force (MOU 2025), and Royal Netherlands Air Force (renewal). It is also investing in internal technology, including an AI-enabled Flight School Management System (FSMS) ERP platform, and has secured EASA FNPT II MCC and FAA FTD Level 5 simulator certification. The company is privately held with no disclosed outside institutional ownership, led by Executive Chairman Giorgio Clementi and CEO Dave Lohse following a January 2025 leadership transition.

Name

International Test Pilots School

Legal name

ITPS (Canada) Ltd.

Website

https://itpscanada.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

International Test Pilots School (ITPS) is the world's largest independent school of experimental flight testing, offering EASA-approved test pilot, flight test engineer, and tactical pilot training programs to military air forces and aerospace manufacturers worldwide from its London, Ontario campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Flight Test Training

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Regulatory, Compliance & Type Training (FAA/EASA/ICAO, Part 147/145) (EDAOAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)

Keywords

• Flight test training
• Test pilot courses
• Aviation training services
• Flight test engineering
• Aerospace training

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Flight Test Training Services: ITPS provides cost-effective flight test training to military and civilian industry around the world, including EASA-approved test pilot courses, FTE courses, and Master of Science programs. Revenue is generated through course fees for fixed-wing, rotary-wing, UAS, and tactical training programs.
2. Flight Test Consulting: ITPS provides contracted test pilots, flight test engineers and analysts, project management, flight test instrumentation, test plan and report preparation, and technical and safety reviews for industry and government clients.
3. Advanced Tactical Training (ITTC): International Tactical Training Centre (ITTC) delivers advanced tactical fighter pilot training programs for NATO and allied air forces from purpose-built aviation training, maintenance, and operations centre in North Bay, Ontario.
4. Conference and Seminar Events: ITPS hosts the annual ITPS Flight Test Seminar, an industry event attracting flight test professionals globally.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

International Test Pilots School (ITPS Canada) is a civilian flight test training school that delivers professional courses for test pilots and flight test engineers, including EASA ATO-approved Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer courses, Avionics courses, UAS courses, an MSc in Flight Test & Evaluation, an online Certificate in Flight Test & Evaluation, and flight test consulting services. The school also operates the International Tactical Training Centre (ITTC) for advanced/tactical training and an AeroSystems training offering.

Product overview

International Test Pilots School (ITPS) operates as the world's largest independent school of experimental flight testing, offering a comprehensive portfolio of aviation training products and services. The core offering comprises EASA ATO-approved flight test training programs including Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer courses (CAT-1 and CAT-2), Avionics courses, UAS training, and Master of Science programs in Flight Test Engineering and Flight Testing. These are complemented by the International Tactical Training Centre (ITTC) for NATO and allied tactical pilot training, the Advanced Aircraft Simulation Centre (AASC) with 19 simulators and mixed reality capabilities, and specialized consulting services. The company also provides access to a diverse fleet of over 20 aircraft including L-39 jet trainers, S-76 helicopters, Bo 105, Grumman HU-16C Albatross (ATLAS), and the 5th Generation Surrogate Training Aircraft (5STA). An AI-enabled Flight School Management System (FSMS) ERP platform is under development to integrate scheduling, training progression, and maintenance tracking operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EASA ATO Test Pilot Course EASA ATO-approved professional training course preparing pilots to conduct flight test work, delivered to military, aerospace, and individual professional trainees.
• Flight Test Engineer (FTE) Course Specialized training course for engineers conducting flight test activities, aligned with ITPS's EASA ATO program catalog.
• Avionics Course Course covering avionics systems knowledge for flight test and aerospace professionals.
• UAS Course Training course for unmanned aircraft systems, addressing flight test and operation of UAS platforms.
• Master of Science in Flight Test & Evaluation Graduate degree program providing advanced academic and flight test training, typically delivered in partnership with a university.
• Certificate in Flight Test & Evaluation (Online) Online certificate program covering flight test and evaluation topics, allowing remote enrollment by individual professionals.
• Flight Test Consulting Services Expert consulting services for clients conducting flight test programs, drawing on ITPS's test pilot and engineering experience.
• International Tactical Training Centre (ITTC) Dedicated tactical flight training offering, delivering advanced tactical flight test and operational training.
• AeroSystems Training Training offering covering aerospace systems knowledge for aerospace and defense clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 25 air arms trained since inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School: The U.S. Air Force's official Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California. The most direct global competitor and reference point in flight test training, serving U.S. military and select allied pilots. Notably, ITPS also delivers services to USAF TPS via the HU-16C Albatross contract, illustrating the overlap in mission and customer base.
• Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS): UK-based test pilot school operated by QinetiQ on behalf of the Royal Air Force at Boscombe Down. One of the most prestigious global TPS institutions and one of the ~9 internationally recognised schools that compete with ITPS for international military and civil flight test students.
• National Test Pilot School (NTPS): Private, U.S.-based test pilot school located in Mojave, California. The closest direct private-sector analogue to ITPS in terms of business model (independent, EASA-aligned, mixed civil/military student base), and the principal North American private competitor.
• EPNER (École du Personnel Navigant d'Essais et de Réception): French Air and Space Force test pilot school based at Istres. One of the founding institutions of the global TPS network and a direct international competitor for French-speaking military customers and broader European flight test training contracts.
• Calspan: U.S.-based independent flight test and research services provider operating a fleet of variable-stability aircraft. Direct peer to ITPS's contracted flight test consulting services arm (test pilots, FTE personnel, instrumentation), competing for civil aerospace manufacturer testing work.
• Italian Air Force Test Pilot School (RSV): Italian Air Force flight test school based at Pratica di Mare. Another of the ~9 internationally recognised TPS institutions, with overlapping customer relationships (especially with Leonardo) and competing for European military flight test training programs.

Emerging players

• Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ): Turkish state-owned aerospace prime and partner in the ITPS Türkiye joint venture (2023). Building indigenous flight test training capability to support TF-X, Hurjet, and Heavy Attack helicopter programs; represents both an important partner and a potential long-term in-country competitor.

Broad incumbents

• QinetiQ: UK-listed defence technology and testing services company that operates ETPS under contract. Broader incumbent in flight test, aerospace engineering services, and defence training; an indirect competitor for outsourced flight test consulting and a potential strategic acquirer or partner.
• Leonardo S.p.A. Italian-headquartered global aerospace and defence prime, existing ITPS training customer (Falco Xplorer, AW-139 CSAR programs) and counterparty for the M-346 T Block 20 contract at ITTC. Broad incumbent that competes with ITPS for in-house flight test training and could internalise programs at scale.
• Lockheed Martin: U.S. aerospace and defence prime manufacturer of the F-35 and other platforms flown by ITPS instructors. Indirect competitor and source of instructor talent and customer relationships; could vertically integrate test pilot training for F-35 customers and reduce reliance on third-party schools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/itpscanada
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZRnwOJi-hJAXqiM-ebZmqg
• Facebookfacebook.com/International-Test-Pilots-School-208614849296093
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-test-pilots-school-itps-canada-ltd-
• Instagraminstagram.com/itps_canada/?hl=en

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Test Pilots School