What IFR Flugschule does

IFR-Flugschule is a German flight training organization established in 1988 and headquartered at Reichelsheim airfield (EDFB), operating as an EASA-approved Approved Training Organisation under the legal name IFR-Instrumenten Flugschule Reichelsheim GmbH. The company provides a full spectrum of pilot licensing and rating programs — PPL(A), LAPL(A), CPL(A), ATPL(A), instrument ratings (BIR, CB-IR, IR(A)), instructor certifications (FI(A), IRI(A)), and type/class ratings for Pilatus PC-12, Daher TBM, Piper PA-46 SET, Quest Kodiak, and Beechcraft King Air — alongside flight dispatcher training offered in cooperation with TUIfly. The company operates a second location at Egelsbach (EDFE) since 2013 and wholly owns Motorflugschule Egelsbach GmbH, acquired in November 2016.

Core technology combines physical flight training infrastructure with a proprietary distance learning platform. The school operates three or more LBA-approved FNPT-II simulators, notably the Alsim ALSR20 — the first Cirrus SR20 G6 FNPT-II in Europe, delivered November 2021 with original GARMIN Perspective+ hardware — and Diamond DA40/DA42 simulators. The Next-Level-Learning (Corporate eAcademy) platform was co-developed with Boeing Services Deutschland and is certified by both the ZFU and the LBA, a structure that lets the school control content rather than resell third-party materials.

The business model is primarily usage-based: practical training is billed per block hour plus instructor time, theory courses are flat-fee bundles, and distance learning is offered on monthly installment subscriptions, with aircraft charter and simulator sessions billed per use. Customer acquisition combines direct on-site enrollment at the two locations with a nationwide network of cooperative flight schools, flying clubs, and aircraft owners (Kooperationen) that distribute the school's distance learning courses and refer students for advanced training. The student base is approximately 60% professional/career pilots and 40% private pilots, with about 60-80 students per year and 95% adoption of distance learning among eligible cohorts.

Name

IFR Flugschule

Legal name

IFR-Instrumenten Flugschule Reichelsheim GmbH

Website

https://ifr-flugschule.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

IFR-Flugschule is a German EASA-approved flight training organization, founded in 1988 and headquartered at Reichelsheim with a second site at Egelsbach, delivering pilot licensing from PPL through ATPL, instrument and type ratings, dispatcher training, and ZFU-certified Boeing-powered distance learning to approximately 60-80 students per year.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Reichelsheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Practical Flight Training: Core revenue stream from practical flight instruction across all license and rating types (PPL, CPL, ATPL, IR, type ratings, UPRT, flight instructor). Billed per block hour of aircraft use plus instructor time. Students can train on school aircraft or bring their own aircraft.
2. Theoretical Training / Classroom Instruction: Theory instruction delivered in-person (classroom or online during COVID) as part of license/rating programs. Billed per course as a flat fee, included in course packages. Mandatory for all training programs.
3. Distance Learning (Fernlehrgänge): Self-paced online courses for ATPL(A), CPL(A), PPL(A), LAPL(A), IR(A), CB-IR, BIR, and Airline Dispatcher. Revenue generated from course enrollment fees. Since 2012, the school operates its own ZFU-certified distance learning institute. Course fees are payable in monthly installments or upfront.
4. Aircraft Charter: Aircraft charter services for students and external customers. Full charter including fuel, with a comprehensive full-coverage insurance policy (deductible borne by the charterer). Additional charges apply for landing fees, handling, and accommodation at foreign airfields.
5. Flight Simulator Sessions: Revenue from simulator time on the school's 3+ approved FNPT-II devices. Simulator sessions can be booked independently or as part of a full training program. Contributes to IFR and type rating training.
6. Examination and Certification Fees: Internal pre-examination (85% pass requirement), external LBA examination fees, certificate issuance, and administrative processing fees. Administrative fee of €10 for changes to issued invoices.
7. Flight Dispatcher (Flugdienstberater) Training: Specialized dispatcher training offered since 2001, one of few schools with this approval. Conducted in cooperation with TUIfly. Includes both theory and practical components.
8. Coaching and Recurrent Training: Additional coaching sessions (intensive, supplementary, or advisory), recurrent training, check flights, and rating renewals. Billed per session or as part of annual retainer arrangements for recurrent customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IFR Flugschule is a German flight school founded in 1988 that delivers comprehensive pilot training across multiple license categories (ATPL, CPL, PPL, LAPL) and a range of instrument and type ratings (e.g., IR, MEP, NF, FI, CRI, IRI, ATPL-Theorie, PPL-A, E-IR, NVFR). Training is delivered through on-site ground and flight instruction at the Reichelsheim and Egelsbach locations, supported by a proprietary Boeing-powered e-learning platform for distance learning and the first Cirrus SR20 G6 FNPT-II simulator in Europe.

Product overview

IFR-Flugschule GmbH is a German flight training organization founded in 1988, operating as a single integrated aviation training provider rather than a modular platform. The core offering spans a full spectrum of pilot licensing and rating programs — from LAPL(A) and PPL(A) through CPL(A) and ATPL(A), supplemented by instrument ratings (BIR, CB-IR, IR(A)), instructor ratings (FI(A), IRI(A), CRI), and type/class ratings for 10+ aircraft types including Pilatus PC-12, Daher TBM, Piper PA-46 SET, Quest Kodiak, and Beechcraft King Air. Training delivery combines in-person instruction at two German locations (Reichelsheim EDFB and Egelsbach EDFE) with a proprietary Boeing Courseware-powered distance learning platform (ZFU-certified since 2011). A key differentiator is the in-house simulator fleet: the Alsim ALSR20 FNPT-II (first Cirrus SR20 G6 simulator in Europe) and the Diamond DA40/DA42 FNPT-II (LBA certified), both featuring original GARMIN avionics. Additional services include ICAO language proficiency testing, check flights/renewals, UPRT, night-flight training, HPA qualification, and dispatcher training. The company also offers coaching programs and leverages partnerships with Motorflugschule Egelsbach for shared aircraft and facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Corporate eAcademy: Proprietary distance learning platform developed in-house with Boeing Services Germany for pilot licensing from PPL to ATPL
• Next-Level-Learning

Products and services

• ATPL Training (Airline Transport Pilot License)

Quantifiable outcome

• First Cirrus SR20 G6 FNPT-II simulator in Europe installed in November 2021
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• N-FlightminorOthers · 1 January 2021Specialized aircraft delivery/ferry flight service operated by Arnim and Marissa Stief. Delivered IFR Flugschule's new Cirrus SR20 G6 from America. Also provides ongoing ferry flight services and serves as a Cirrus pilot and Platinum CSIP (Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot) freelance flight instructor at the Egelsbach location. Relationship combines service procurement and instructional staffing.
• Alsim (France)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020French simulator manufacturer. IFR Flugschule was the first customer to sign a contract (one day after the ALSR20 was announced in December 2020) and received the first production unit — the first Cirrus SR20 G6 FNPT-II in Europe (delivered November 2021). The school cooperated with Alsim during development testing, contributing real-world flight data from the Motorflugschule Egelsbach's Cirrus SR20 G6 to refine the simulator's flight model. Ongoing remote maintenance and software support via the school's IT connection to Alsim.
• Motorflugschule Egelsbach GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Acquired in November 2016 by the same shareholders as IFR Flugschule (Klaus Hübschen, Roland Otto, Norbert Oppitz). Operated as a separate brand due to its 60+ year history in general aviation. Shares infrastructure (aircraft, simulators, staff) with IFR Flugschule. Led by Roland Otto; Arnd Rafflenbeul also involved. IFR Flugschule took over the school's FNPT-II simulator. Both schools are highly integrated operationally, sharing processes, aircraft, and instructors. Makes IFR Flugschule the largest and most capable training provider at Egelsbach Airport.
• Staatliche Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht (ZFU)coreOthers · 1 January 2012German state certification body for distance learning institutions. IFR Flugschule obtained its ZFU certification on 17 February 2011 (first certifications) and LBA approval on 27 January 2012 (ATPL) and 21 August 2012 (other courses). This regulatory partnership enables the school to legally offer certified distance learning courses for pilot licensing — a prerequisite for the school's primary e-learning revenue stream.
• TUIfly GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Cooperation partner for the flight dispatcher (Flugdienstberater / Dispatcher) training program. The program is conducted in accordance with LuftPersV and is unique to Germany. TUIfly's involvement provides industry relevance to the dispatcher curriculum. IFR Flugschule has held the ATO approval for dispatcher training since 2001.
• Boeing Services Deutschland GmbH (formerly Peters Software GmbH)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2010Strategic technology partnership for the development and delivery of the school's proprietary distance learning platform (Next-Level-Learning / Corporate eAcademy). Boeing and IFR Flugschule co-developed interactive aviation training courseware including web-based training modules, bi-directional question-text linking, and the European Question Database. The school holds its own ZFU and LBA certifications for these programs — unusual in the industry where most schools resell third-party materials. This partnership is the foundation of the school's e-learning offering.
• Push2Talk (Sprachprüfung Partner)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for ICAO language proficiency testing services (Levels 4–6). The school offers ICAO language examinations as part of its licensing services, utilizing Push2Talk as the testing provider. The partnership enables the school to offer a complete licensing service to its students.
• Cooperative Flight Schools and Flying Clubs (Germany-wide)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKooperationen with multiple flight schools and flying clubs across Germany. Partners use IFR Flugschule's ZFU-certified distance learning platform to train their own students, and refer students needing advanced training (IR, type ratings, dispatcher) to IFR Flugschule. At Egelsbach, the school has formal cooperation agreements with all other flight schools and clubs at the airfield. These agreements allow partner students to complete advanced ratings on their familiar aircraft at IFR Flugschule.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BAA Training: BAA Training is a European integrated pilot training organization offering ATPL, type rating, and cabin crew training across multiple European locations. It directly competes with IFR Flugschule for the same European career-pilot and type rating segments, with a comparable full-spectrum curriculum model.
• Airways Aviation: Airways Aviation is a European flight training group operating integrated ATPL programs and type ratings across multiple European bases. It is a direct peer to IFR Flugschule, competing for the same modular and integrated career-pilot students, with similar reliance on partner networks and distance learning.
• Aerodynamics (Netherlands): Aerodynamics is a Netherlands-based flight training organization offering integrated ATPL and modular programs to European students. It is a direct peer to IFR Flugschule in the European modular and integrated pilot training market, with comparable curriculum and reliance on EASA-aligned training pathways.
• Egnatia Aviation: Egnatia Aviation is a Greek-based integrated ATPL flight training organization serving European and international students. It is a direct peer to IFR Flugschule for the integrated airline-pilot training market, with a similar full-spectrum offering from ab initio through type rating.
• FTEJerez: FTEJerez is an integrated flight training organization in Spain offering integrated ATPL and type rating programs to European and international students. It is a direct peer to IFR Flugschule in the integrated ATPL market, with comparable curriculum depth and emphasis on European EASA-aligned training pathways.

Broad incumbents

• CAE: CAE is the world's largest civil aviation training organization, operating hundreds of full-flight simulators and integrated pilot training programs worldwide. It is a direct type-rating partner of IFR Flugschule (for King Air) and a broad incumbent in the same EASA pilot training market, though its portfolio extends far beyond flight schools into defense and healthcare simulation.
• FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International is a global aviation training organization specializing in type ratings and advanced pilot training with a large fleet of full-flight simulators. It is a broad incumbent competing with IFR Flugschule in type rating and recurrent training for business and commercial pilots, primarily in North America and select international hubs.
• European Flight Academy: European Flight Academy is the Lufthansa Group's pilot training subsidiary, operating integrated ATPL and type rating programs in Germany and other European locations. It is a broad incumbent serving the same EASA pilot licensing market as IFR Flugschule, but at much larger scale and as part of Lufthansa's broader aviation portfolio.

Others

• Alsim: Alsim is a French manufacturer of FNPT flight simulation devices, including the ALSR20 Cirrus SR20 G6 simulator that IFR Flugschule operates as Europe's first unit. It is a technology partner/supplier to IFR Flugschule rather than a competitor, with the relationship characterized by co-development and ongoing remote maintenance support.
• Diamond Aircraft Industries: Diamond Aircraft Industries is an Austrian-Canadian aircraft manufacturer whose DA40 and DA42 aircraft and simulators are central to IFR Flugschule's training fleet. It is an enabling partner rather than a competitor — the DA42 simulator at Egelsbach is Diamond's own development unit, positioning IFR as a quasi-official Diamond training center.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ifrflugschule

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about IFR Flugschule