Aviation English Private School

What Aviation English Private School does

Aviation English Private School (AEPS) is a Belgian-headquartered, founder-owned training and certification business that issues EASA FCL.055 English language proficiency endorsements for pilots and air traffic controllers. Founded by Olivier Thaon in 2013 in Ghlin, the company operates through wholly-owned regional entities in France (Villeneuve d'Ascq), Poland (Warsaw), and New Caledonia (Nouméa), and delivers assessments either remotely via browser-based videoconference or on-site at partner locations. The core offering is a 25-30 minute human-examiner-led proficiency test across six ICAO criteria (pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, interactions), offered at €199 for scheduled remote sessions and €249 for on-demand scheduling.

AEPS monetizes through three complementary streams: one-time proficiency test fees, self-paced online preparatory courses (Short Final at €69, Long Final at €89, Reading You Five radiotelephony course), and VIP instructor-led bundles that combine 1-6 hours of live videoconference preparation with course access and the FCL.055 exam (€399-€699). Free online placement tests and a free aviation glossary drive top-of-funnel acquisition, while the e-learning platform (online.aeps.aero) and the main booking site (aeps.aero) handle direct self-service enrollment. Remote testing uses ClickMeeting; payment processing runs through Stripe and Worldline. QUALIOPI certification at AEPS France (2022) opens CPF and Pôle Emploi funding channels for French customers.

The customer base spans individual professional pilots (PPL through ATPL, including helicopter and LAPL holders), air traffic controllers, and aviation maintenance personnel, supported by a portfolio of 18 named enterprise logos including ASL Airlines Belgium, TNT Airways (FedEx), Air Caraïbes, Air Austral, TAP Portugal, Textron Aviation, Dassault Aviation, and Jetfly. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer through the website, supplemented by on-site testing at partner venues (minimum 6 candidates plus travel) and co-marketing alliances with aviation recruitment and training platforms (Premier Envol, Airline Selection Programme, iFly Innovation, Sky4U, LadyBushPilot, GIPAG, Aeroluxus). AEPS is bootstrapped with no institutional funding, patents, or disclosed M&A activity.

Name

Aviation English Private School

Legal name

Aviation English Private School SPRL (AEPS)

Website

https://aeps.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aviation English Private School (AEPS) is a Belgian training and certification center that issues EASA FCL.055 English language proficiency endorsements for pilots and air traffic controllers, delivering remote and on-site testing plus preparatory e-learning courses across Belgium, France, Poland, and New Caledonia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation English Language Proficiency Testing and Training

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Language + Academic Skills (EAP) Bridging Programs (EDAIAJAF)

Keywords

• Aviation English training
• Language proficiency testing
• EASA FCL.055 certification
• Pilot English assessment
• Aviation radiotelephony courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Mons

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. English Proficiency Testing Services: One-time fees for FCL.055 English language proficiency tests delivered remotely via videoconference or on-site at partner locations. Remote test at 199 EUR, on-demand at 249 EUR.
2. Online Preparatory Courses: Self-paced e-learning courses including Short Final (69 EUR), Long Final (89 EUR), and Reading You Five radiotelephony course. Sold individually with 60-day access periods.
3. VIP Preparation Packages: Bundled offerings combining instructor-led videoconference sessions with online course access and FCL.055 exam. VIP 1 at 399 EUR, VIP 3 at 519 EUR, VIP 6 at 699 EUR.
4. Bundle Packages: Combined course and exam packages: Standard Short Final (258 EUR), Standard Long Final (278 EUR), Complete Short Final (317 EUR), Complete Long Final (337 EUR).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Aviation English Private School (AEPS) delivers EASA FCL.055-compliant English language proficiency testing and certification for pilots and air traffic controllers, available both remotely via videoconference and on-site at partner locations. The company also sells self-paced online preparatory courses (Short Final, Long Final, Reading You Five) and instructor-led VIP preparation bundles via its e-learning platform. AEPS issues certificates accepted by Civil Aviation Authorities across multiple countries under mutual recognition of European regulations.

Product overview

Aviation English Private School (AEPS) operates as a unified e-learning and testing platform for aviation English proficiency. The core offering is the FCL.055 Test, an EASA-compliant language proficiency assessment offered in both remote (video conference) and on-site formats, available as scheduled sessions or on-demand. The product portfolio includes the AEPS E-learning Platform hosting three online preparatory courses: Short Final (exam-focused exercises), Long Final (grammar-intensive), and Reading You Five (radiotelephony phraseology). These courses are also bundled with exam sessions as VIP packages (VIP 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 20 hours of teacher preparation). Supporting products include a Free Online Test for level assessment, an Aviation Glossary with audio pronunciations, and on-site testing at partner locations in Belgium, France, and New Caledonia. AEPS France operates as a regional entity certified QUALIOPI, offering CPF-financed training packages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FCL.055 Test EASA FCL.055 and ICAO ELP-compliant English language proficiency test for VFR and IFR pilots, assessing pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and interactions. Available at ICAO Levels 4, 5, and 6, with certificates accepted by Civil Aviation Authorities across multiple countries via mutual recognition of European regulations.
• Remote FCL.055 Testing FCL.055 language proficiency test conducted via browser-based video conference from the candidate's home, led by two human examiners. Same content as on-site test, takes 25-30 minutes on average. Available in European and Oceanian time zones.
• On-Site FCL.055 Testing

Quantifiable outcome

• Certificate issued within 72 hours of successful test completion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Noumea School of EnglishcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAEPS Pacific office operated by Susanna Couch through The Noumea School of English in Nouméa, New Caledonia. Provides on-site FCL.055 testing services at Immeuble Foch, 3e étage, 19 av du Maréchal Foch.
• Premier EnvolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAviation training partner with co-marketing presence on AEPS website
• Airline Selection ProgrammeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAviation recruitment and selection platform partner
• iFly InnovationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAviation innovation partner with co-marketing presence
• Sky4UminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAviation services partner based in Berlin with co-marketing presence
• LadyBushPilotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWomen in aviation advocacy partner with co-marketing presence
• GIPAG (Groupement des Intérêts des Pilotes d'Aéronefs à Giravions)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench helicopter pilots association partnership for French market promotion
• AeroluxusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAviation partner with co-marketing presence
• Anna BorowskacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr hab. Anna Borowska from University of Warsaw serves as AEPS Poland Aviation English Teacher and English Language Proficiency Examiner. Enables regular on-site testing sessions in Warsaw from March 2023.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• English for Aviation (EFA): Specialized aviation English training provider offering ICAO-aligned courses and language assessment preparation for pilots and controllers; directly comparable in target customer, content focus, and service scope to AEPS.
• Linguaphone Group: Established language training provider with aviation English courses and corporate aviation language programs; competes in the same pilot English proficiency preparation market with similar ICAO-aligned curriculum.

Emerging players

• Airways Aviation: Multi-base flight training organization with integrated ground school and English language preparation for international pilot students; partial overlap as a flight training provider that incorporates aviation English prep.
• Osprey Flight Training: UK-based integrated flight training organization including airline pilot training and language requirements preparation; partial overlap as a flight school that must address ICAO language proficiency for its graduates.
• SkyTest: Aviation test preparation provider offering online prep for pilot selection exams, ATC, and language proficiency tests; adjacent competitor in the digital aviation English and pilot exam prep market.

Others

• Pilot Career Centre: Aviation training resource and job placement platform that supports pilot candidates with training pathway information including language proficiency considerations; adjacent to AEPS through the pilot training ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson: Global education and assessment company with aviation-specific English testing products (PTE); directly competes in the language proficiency assessment market but operates as a much broader incumbent with vastly greater test-engineering resources.
• CAE Inc. Largest pure-play aviation training company globally, providing pilot training, crew resourcing, and integrated training solutions; AEPS could become a bolt-on for CAE's language proficiency assessment portfolio given EASA-recognized status.
• FlightSafety International: Major aviation training organization with global training centers and crew training programs; comparable as a broad incumbent with potential interest in EASA-recognized language assessment capabilities.
• Lufthansa Aviation Training: Aviation training subsidiary of Lufthansa Group offering pilot, cabin crew, and ATC training across multiple jurisdictions; represents a potential strategic acquirer or competitor in European aviation English testing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aviationenglishprivateschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aeps---aviation-english-private-school

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Aviation English Private School