What Starspeed does

Starspeed Ltd is a UK-based helicopter operations management and pilot training company founded in 1978 and headquartered at Fairoaks Airport (Chobham, Surrey), with its training division based at Kemble Aerodrome in Gloucestershire. The company operates in two integrated divisions. The management division delivers full-service helicopter ownership support — regulatory compliance, risk management, pilot staffing, maintenance coordination, worldwide operations logistics, and helicopter sales brokerage — for private owners, family offices, and super-yacht operators, currently managing 22+ aircraft types from five manufacturers across five registers and seven helicopters aboard super-yachts ranging from 67m to 134m. The training division, Starspeed Training, is a UK Civil Aviation Authority Approved Training Organisation (ATO) that has operated since 2011, delivering type ratings, instrument ratings, instructor ratings (TRI, TRE, IRI), Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC), Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), and Qualified Military Pilot (QMP) conversion courses.

The company's core technology assets are its certified flight simulation devices: the UK's first H145 FTD3 simulator (CAA-certified, Helionix avionics on version 8 upgrading to version 10, with TCAS II 7.1, Barco F80 projectors, and XPlane 11 visuals), an Elite S623T AS355 FNPT II simulator with dynamic control loading and weather modelling, and an H145 Avionics Desktop Trainer. These simulators are available for both internal course delivery and external dry and wet lease, creating a recurring training-device revenue stream. The operation is supported by a mature Safety Management System (12+ years, Phase II CAA SMS audit passed) and a workforce of experienced pilots spanning corporate, offshore, HEMS, and military backgrounds.

Starspeed generates revenue through three primary streams: managed services fees for helicopter management; professional services fees for pilot training courses and simulator leases; and transaction fees for helicopter sales brokerage. The go-to-market is direct relationship-based sales to HNW individuals, family offices, yacht operators, and corporate clients, with bespoke service agreements and no publicly disclosed pricing. The company is a privately held subsidiary of the Luxaviation Group, an international diversified aviation conglomerate, and operates with a global footprint spanning 65+ countries.

Name

Starspeed

Legal name

Starspeed Ltd.

Website

https://starspeed.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Starspeed is a UK-based helicopter management and pilot training company founded in 1978, serving private owners, family offices, and super-yacht operators through full-service operations management and a CAA-approved training organisation operating the UK's first H145 FTD3 simulator.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Management and Aviation Training Services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Flight Training (611512), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

VIP/Executive Helicopter Transport (THABAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate) (TLAFACAB), Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ), Helicopter Event & VIP Transport Services (TLAFACAG)

Keywords

• Helicopter management services
• Helicopter pilot training
• Flight simulation training
• Private aviation services
• Type rating training

Headquarters

HQ city

Kemble

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Helicopter Management Services: Full-service helicopter management for private owners, including regulatory compliance, risk management, maintenance, pilot staffing, and worldwide operations support. Revenue generated through management fees from private owners, family offices, and yacht operators.
2. Pilot Training and Simulation: Starspeed Training provides type ratings, instrument ratings, instructor ratings, MCC, PBN, and other helicopter pilot courses using its FNPT II simulator and H145 FTD3 simulator. Revenue from course fees charged to pilots and operators.
3. Helicopter Sales: Starspeed facilitates the purchase of new and pre-owned helicopters for clients, including project management of importation, refit, and re-registration.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Starspeed provides full-service helicopter management for private owners worldwide, covering regulatory compliance, risk management, maintenance coordination, pilot staffing, and worldwide operations support, including specialised yacht-based helicopter operations. Through its UK CAA Approved Training Organisation at Kemble, Starspeed also delivers helicopter pilot training including type ratings, instrument ratings, instructor ratings, MCC, PBN, and QMP conversion courses using the UK's first H145 FTD3 simulator and an AS355 FNPT II simulator.

Product overview

Starspeed is a helicopter operator and management company offering a unified portfolio of services across two main divisions: helicopter operations management (including private ownership management, yacht operations, and worldwide operations support) and helicopter pilot training (through its UK CAA-approved Starspeed Training school). The training arm provides simulator-based and aircraft-based courses including type ratings, instrument ratings, instructor ratings (TRI, TRE, IRI), MCC, PBN, and QMP conversion programmes. Key training products include the H145 FTD3 simulator (UK's first), AS355 FNPT II simulator, and H145 Avionics Desktop Trainer. The company manages helicopters including Sikorsky S-92, S-76, Airbus H155, H145, H135, AS365, AS355, Bell 429, Leonardo AW139 and AW169. Starspeed operates from Fairoaks Airport (headquarters) and Cotswold Airport in Kemble (training).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Helicopter Operations Management Comprehensive full-service helicopter management for private owners worldwide, including regulatory compliance, legal and insurance matters, risk management, finance, supplier management, and worldwide operations support. For private owners, family offices, and operators who want an outsourced operating partner for their helicopter assets.
• Yacht Helicopter Operations Specialised helicopter support for super-yacht owners and operators, including crew management, safety and training requirements, and helideck design/integration consultancy. Currently operates seven helicopters based aboard super-yachts ranging from 67m to 134m in the Indian Ocean, Asia, Brazil, Central America, Caribbean and Mediterranean.
• Starspeed Training School UK CAA Approved Training Organisation (ATO) providing helicopter pilot training from Cotswold Airport in Kemble, including type ratings, instrument ratings, instructor courses, MCC, PBN and simulator-based training. For qualified helicopter pilots and operators needing EASA-compliant certifications.
• H145 FTD3 Simulator CAA-certified Full Flight Training Device Level 3 for the H145 helicopter, available for dry and wet lease. Features Helionix avionics, elevated helipads, sloping ground, instrument flight, night flying, deck training, TCAS II 7.1 with RA, Barco F80 projectors and XPlane 11 visual system. For pilots and operators needing H145 type rating and recurrent training.
• AS355 FNPT II Simulator Elite S623T FNPT II twin-engine simulator based on the AS355 Twin Squirrel with dynamic control loading, trim system, fully coupled autopilot functions, yaw pedal loading simulating hydraulic pressure loss, EFIS, integrated Garmin GTN750, and weather modelling including rain, ice and snow. CAA approved for pilot courses and available for training.
• H145 Avionics Desktop Trainer Fully interactive touchscreen emulator for H145 Helionix cockpit familiarisation, ground school support, starts/stops, emergencies, and Helionix refresher training. Available for lease with or without an instructor. For pilots preparing for H145 simulator sessions or needing recurrent Helionix training.
• Type Rating Training Type rating training for AW109, AW139, EC135, EC145, EC155, S76, and SK76 helicopters. Can be conducted on customer's aircraft where available. For helicopter pilots requiring EASA type ratings on these specific types.
• Instrument Rating IR(H) Training Comprehensive instrument rating training including 50-hour EASA IR course, FAA/ICAO IR conversion, and fixed wing to rotary IR conversion. Includes PBN training and testing. For helicopter pilots seeking EASA, FAA, or ICAO instrument ratings.
• Multi-Pilot Crew Cooperation (MCC) Course Eight-day course covering Part FCL MCC requirements, teaching effective multi-pilot crew operations including Human Factors TKI, briefing, flying, debriefing, and emergency procedures. Consists of 25 hours ground school, 10 hours PM and 10 hours PF in FNPT. For helicopter pilots needing MCC certification for multi-crew operations.
• Type Rating Instructor (TRI) Course TRI courses for EC155, EC135, BK117/EC145, Sikorsky S-76, AW109, and Bell 429. Full course includes Teaching & Learning element (8 days), add-TRI course (5 days). For helicopter instructors requiring TRI certification on these types.
• Type Rating Examiner (TRE) Training TRE(H) standardisation courses for VFR & IFR, single & multi-engine. Includes TRE(H) Standardisation Seminar for renewal/revalidation. For examiners requiring TRE certification or revalidation.
• TRE B(4) Training Specialised course enabling Type Rating Examiners to extend privileges to FCL.1005.TRE b(4) for Initial and Recurrent Assessment of Competency of TRI. Approved for UK TREs only. For examiners needing extension of privileges for TRI assessment.
• Instrument Rating Instructor (IRI) Course IRI(H) course designed to train holders of helicopter pilot's licence to conduct flight training for IR(H) issue. Includes FI-to-IRI and TRI-to-IRI pathways. For instructors needing IRI certification.
• Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) Training PBN qualification training required from August 2020 for pilots with EASA IR. Includes GNSS approaches and PBN routes. Complete training available in FSTD at Kemble including PBN check/test. For IR-rated helicopter pilots needing PBN endorsement.
• Qualified Military Pilot (QMP) Training Training courses for military pilots transitioning to civilian licences, including QMP with procedural/non-procedural IR(H), CPL(H) and ATPL(H) training and skills test. For military pilots converting to civilian EASA licences.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and parent company.

• Reiser Simulation and Training GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationReiser Simulation and Training GmbH developed and delivered the H145 FTD3 simulator to Starspeed Training. This partnership resulted in the UK's first H145 FTD3 simulator, which is CAA certified and available for dry and wet lease.
• RS Flight Systems GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationRS Flight Systems GmbH collaborated with Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH to deliver the H145 FTD3 simulator to Starspeed Training, ensuring the best quality product for the company.
• Luxaviation Groupparent companyOthersStarspeed is part of the Luxaviation Group, an international aviation company. This parent company relationship provides Starspeed with broader operational backing and network resources.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Luxaviation Group: Parent company of Starspeed and one of the world's largest private aviation groups, offering aircraft management, charter, and FBO services across multiple jurisdictions. Directly comparable as the broader portfolio in which Starspeed's helicopter management, charter, and training offerings sit.
• Bristow Group: Global helicopter operator providing offshore crew change, SAR, and government services with substantial simulator and training infrastructure. Comparable to Starspeed on helicopter operations management, pilot training footprint, and multi-jurisdictional fleet management, though at significantly larger scale and skewed toward offshore/energy.
• CAE: World-leading provider of flight simulation equipment and pilot training services, including helicopter training. Comparable to Starspeed Training on simulator-based pilot training (type ratings, recurrent training) and on the H145/rotary-wing training market that Starspeed's FTD3 targets.
• FlightSafety International: Major provider of professional aviation training and high-fidelity flight simulators, including helicopter programmes. Comparable to Starspeed Training as a global full-motion simulator training competitor, particularly for type ratings and instrument training for business and commercial helicopter operators.
• Gama Aviation: Global aviation services group offering aircraft management, charter, FBO, and special-mission services with a UK headquarters. Comparable to Starspeed's management and charter operations for private clients within the broader UK and European private aviation market.

Direct peers

• PHI Aviation: Global helicopter services operator focused on offshore, medical, and energy customers with significant training and simulator infrastructure. Comparable to Starspeed on helicopter operations management for mission-critical clients and on pilot training delivered through owned simulators.
• Heli-One: Helicopter MRO, modification, and training provider serving global operators with full-flight simulator training. Comparable to Starspeed Training on simulator-based rotary-wing training and on operator support across multiple helicopter types and jurisdictions.
• European Helicopter Center: European-based helicopter training organisation offering type ratings and simulator courses on multiple helicopter types. Closest geographic competitor to Starspeed Training in the European helicopter pilot training market, particularly for type rating and instrument courses.
• Castle Air: UK helicopter operator and management company providing charter, management, and training services. Directly comparable to Starspeed on UK-based helicopter management, charter, and pilot training, competing for the same private owner and family office clients.

Others

• Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH: Manufacturer and integrator of helicopter flight simulation training devices, including the H145 FTD3 delivered to Starspeed. Comparable as the technology partner that built Starspeed's flagship simulator asset and as a supplier to other training organisations competing with Starspeed Training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/starspeed-training-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/starspeedhelicopters
• Xx.com/starspeedltd

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Starspeed