Flight Research

What Flight Research does

Flight Research International (FRI), founded in 1981 and headquartered at Mojave Air and Space Port in California, is a provider of aviation training, professional flight testing, aircraft maintenance, and aircraft leasing/storage services. Since December 2022 the company has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Test Pilot School (NTPS). FRI runs its business from a roughly 1 million square foot campus with 11 buildings, hangars, mission control rooms, and an FAA Part 145 maintenance facility that maintains the firm's own fleet of over 40 aircraft spanning 24 airframe types — including subsonic and supersonic military jet trainers (notably Northrop T-38 Talons and Saab SK-35XD Drakens), corporate jets (Sabreliner), turboprops (King Air, T-34C Mentor), aerobatic general aviation aircraft (Extra-300, T-67 Firefly), and helicopters (BO-105, OH-58).

The company's product portfolio is anchored by Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) courses delivered across multiple aircraft categories — jet, turboprop, helicopter, supersonic (HiPer UPRT), general aviation, and an EASA-compliant curriculum — plus spaceflight readiness training, professional space courses, full airframe and component flight testing, UAS/UAM testing, weapons testing, and aircraft storage and leasing. Instruction is delivered by former NASA astronauts, TOPGUN graduates, USAF/Navy test pilot school alumni, and decorated combat pilots, and the firm operates from a regulatory-cleared position with EASA ATO (EASA.ATO.0027), FAA Part 145, ITAR, and ATF certifications.

FRI generates revenue through professional-services fees on bespoke 1–4 day training courses and customized flight test programs, with quote-based pricing and multi-year enterprise contracts. GTM is enterprise field sales targeting Fortune 500 companies, airline flight departments, government and aerospace agencies (NASA, FAA, NOAA), insurance carriers (GEICO, Allstate), aerospace OEMs (Boeing, Boom Supersonic), and pilot associations (Citation Jet Pilot Association). Distribution is direct, on-site at the Mojave facility, with marketing driven by industry association memberships, customer testimonials, and a content-driven website rather than paid acquisition channels.

Name

Flight Research

Legal name

Flight Research International

Website

https://flightresearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Flight Research International, a subsidiary of the National Test Pilot School since December 2022, provides in-aircraft upset prevention and recovery training, professional flight testing, FAA Part 145 maintenance, and spaceflight readiness courses from its 40+ aircraft fleet at Mojave Air and Space Port, serving airlines, aerospace OEMs, government agencies, and insurance carriers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mojave

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pilot Training Courses: UPRT and specialized flight training courses ranging from 1-day to multi-day programs across various aircraft types including jets, turboprops, helicopters, and supersonic aircraft. Revenue generated through course fees based on duration and aircraft type selected.
2. Flight Testing Services: Professional flight testing including full airframe testing, UAS testing, component testing, weapons testing, and certification testing. Customizable programs with dedicated teams of aviation professionals.
3. Aircraft Maintenance Services: FAA Part 145 Repair Station providing maintenance on fixed wing and rotary aircraft, including structural repairs, inspections, modifications, and fleet maintenance for FRI's own 40+ aircraft fleet.
4. Spaceflight Readiness Training: Spaceflight readiness training and professional space courses taught by former NASA astronauts, including sub-orbital and orbital flight preparation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Flight Research International delivers professional aviation training, flight testing, and aircraft maintenance services from its Mojave Air and Space Port headquarters. Its core offering is in-aircraft Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) delivered across jet, turboprop, helicopter, supersonic, general aviation, and EASA-compliant course tracks, supported by a 40+ aircraft fleet. Adjacent offerings include customized flight testing services (airframe, UAS/UAM, weapons, certification) and FAA Part 145-certified maintenance and aircraft storage.

Product overview

Flight Research International is a provider of aviation training, flight testing, and maintenance services based at Mojave Air and Space Port. The company operates as a multi-product organization offering Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) programs across multiple aircraft categories (Jet, Turboprop, Helicopter, Supersonic/High Performance, General Aviation, and EASA-compliant), Spaceflight Readiness Training and Professional Space Courses, Flight Testing Services (including UAS/UAM and weapons testing), and FAA-certified Maintenance Services. The portfolio spans from foundational pilot safety training to advanced supersonic flight training and space industry preparation, supported by a 40+ aircraft fleet and maintenance facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) Flight Research's flagship in-aircraft upset recovery training program that addresses Loss of Control In-Flight (LOC-I) accidents through ground school academics and practical flight training across multiple aircraft types. Designed for airline, corporate, and military pilots.
• Jet UPRT Upset Prevention and Recovery Training for jet pilots delivered via North American Sabreliner, MB-326 Impala, and Slingsby T-67 Firefly aircraft in 1-4 day courses ranging from Basic to Comprehensive levels.
• Turboprop UPRT Upset Prevention and Recovery Training for turboprop pilots using Beechcraft King Air and T34C Mentor aircraft across 1-4 day courses including Basic, Essential, Heavy, Fundamental, and Comprehensive options.
• Helicopter UPRT Specialized upset recognition and recovery training for helicopter pilots using BO-105 and OH-58 aircraft, delivered as 2-4 day courses with basic and advanced aerodynamics content.
• High Performance (HiPer) UPRT Advanced supersonic upset prevention and recovery training delivered in Northrop T-38 and North American Sabreliner aircraft, training aviators in high-altitude, transonic, and supersonic regimes; marketed as the world's only UPRT teaching supersonic effects.
• General Aviation UPRT Upset Prevention and Recovery Training for single and multiengine piston pilots using T-67 Firefly, Extra-300, and T-34C aircraft, offered as 1-2 day courses with optional formation training.
• EASA UPRT EASA-compliant Upset Prevention and Recovery Training course approved under EASA.ATO.0027, meeting EASA FCL 745A requirements, delivered as a 3-4 day curriculum with academics and flight training.
• Spaceflight Readiness Training Training program for prospective space flyers preparing for sub-orbital missions, offered as 2-4 day customizable options including flights in Impala Jet, Zero- and Reduced-G Sabreliner, and High Performance T-38.
• Professional Space Course Academic course focused on all aspects of commercial spaceflight preparation for careers in supportive roles, with curriculum covering manned and unmanned missions, orbital and sub-orbital flight, test and research, and space tourism.
• Flight Testing Services Professional flight testing services including full airframe testing, UAS testing, component testing, weapons testing, and certification testing, providing test pilots, flight test engineers, and maintenance technicians for customizable programs.
• UAS/UAM Flight Testing Unmanned Aircraft System testing and Urban Air Mobility / Advanced Air Mobility flight testing services, including indoor UAS testing in a 100ft hangar, outdoor testing, UAS surrogate platform operations, and certification support for new vehicle market entries.
• Maintenance Services FAA Part 145 Repair Station providing maintenance on fixed wing and rotary aircraft, including structural repairs, piston and turbine airframe maintenance, inspections (Annual, 100, 300-hour), and modifications.
• Aircraft Operations Support, Leasing, and Storage Aircraft storage and support services at the Mojave facility spanning 11 buildings and multiple hangars, including office space, classrooms, and full maintenance support capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• LOC-I fatality rate reduced through proper in-aircraft UPRT training - LOC-I represents 63% of aviation fatalities despite being only 8% of accidents
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• National Test Pilot School (NTPS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022NTPS acquired Flight Research International in December 2022. FRI operates as a subsidiary of NTPS, combining NTPS's test pilot training expertise with FRI's UPRT and flight testing services. Together they provide advanced flight training to military and civilian pilots.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFRI is an established provider of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) flight testing with both the FAA and NASA. The company participates in the NASA AAM National Campaign to identify requirements for commercial readiness of UAM technology.
• FAAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFRI works with the FAA on UAM/AAM aircraft flight test and certification support. The 2020 Federal budget directed funding to FAA for integration of UAM and AAM into the National Airspace System.
• FlightSafety InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDisplay partnership logos on website indicating collaborative relationship in the aviation training industry.
• NBAA (National Business Aviation Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate membership in NBAA, the leading association for business aviation professionals.
• Citation Jet Pilot AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTraining partnership with CJP for Citation pilot UPRT training. CJP Gold Standard award accepts FRI upset recovery training for credit.
• AOPAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate membership in Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International (now part of CAE) operates the largest network of professional aviation training centers globally, offering type-rating, recurrent, and specialty pilot training including UPRT. It directly competes with FRI for enterprise and airline pilot training business using a fleet of simulators and training aircraft across multiple geographies.
• CAE: CAE is the world's largest provider of aviation training services and a major manufacturer of flight simulators, serving airlines, business aviation operators, and defense customers. Its integrated pilot training and simulation business overlaps directly with FRI's pilot training and flight testing services for similar enterprise and government clients.
• National Test Pilot School (NTPS): NTPS is FRI's parent company since the December 2022 acquisition and operates the world's leading test pilot school at Mojave. It provides complementary professional flight test engineer and test pilot training that overlaps with FRI's flight testing services for aerospace and defense customers.
• Simcom Aviation Training: Simcom offers professional pilot training across business aviation aircraft types with a simulator- and aircraft-based curriculum, targeting the same corporate flight department and pro-pilot audience as FRI's UPRT programs. It is a direct competitor for specialty and recurrent pilot training contracts.
• Calspan: Calspan operates a flight testing and aerospace research facility in Niagara Falls, NY providing contract flight testing, propulsion testing, and aerospace research services. It competes with FRI for airframe, UAS, and weapons flight testing contracts from aerospace primes and government agencies.
• Duncan Aviation: Duncan Aviation is one of the largest business aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul organizations in the world, providing FAA Part 145 services for business jets. Its MRO service portfolio directly overlaps with FRI's Maintenance Division capabilities for fixed-wing corporate aircraft.

Broad incumbents

• Lufthansa Aviation Training: Lufthansa Aviation Training is a major European aviation training provider serving the Lufthansa Group and external customers with pilot, cabin crew, and maintenance training. Its European ATO status and EASA UPRT offerings place it in the same regulatory training market as FRI's EASA-compliant courses.

Emerging players

• StandardAero: StandardAero provides business aviation MRO services and has expanded into engine and airframe testing support. While not a direct training competitor, it competes with FRI's maintenance division for aircraft storage, inspection, and Part 145 work for the same fleet operators.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FlightResearch

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Flight Research