L'Aeroclub

What L'Aeroclub does

L'Aeroclub (legal name Aeroclub de Barcelona-Sabadell) is a Spanish non-profit aeroclub and aviation training organisation founded in 1953 and headquartered at Sabadell Airport (LELL) in Catalonia. It is self-described as the largest aeroclub in Europe, operating a 50+ aircraft fleet spanning airplanes, helicopters, sailplanes, ultralights and aerobatic aircraft, supported by its own AESA-certified Combined Airworthiness Organisation and maintenance workshop (ES.CAO.007). The club serves individual aviation enthusiasts, recreational pilots, and aspiring professional pilots, running discovery flights, Private Pilot Licence courses (PPL-A, PPL-H, ULM, SPL) and, through its Barcelona Flight School division, integrated and modular ATPL and CPL pathways.

Revenue is generated across four primary streams: recurring membership subscriptions and entry fees from 1,200+ active members across General, Section, Temporary and Junior tiers; usage-based aircraft rental with fuel included and seniority-based discounts; fee-based flight training programmes delivered in-house and through Barcelona Flight School; and managed on-site restaurant and event services at the Sabadell aerodrome operated under the Saned brand (open 363 days per year). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via physical sales at the headquarters, online application and booking through the multilingual aeroclub.es website, and a members-only portal (Private-Radar) for reservations and account management.

The club maintains a multi-base footprint (Sabadell, La Cerdanya gliding centre, Manresa, Moià) and pursues a community-led, event-driven GTM model - participating in the 71st Volta Aèria de Catalunya, Festa al Cel, ACBS competitions, ExpoBages and Jornada Puertas Abiertas. Strategic partnerships include the Fundació Parc Aeronàutic de Catalunya (heritage aircraft), ESADE Business School (academic outreach), Jesuïtes Educació's TMA programme, and ongoing AESA regulatory engagement. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; member ownership and lack of external institutional capital are confirmed.

Name

L'Aeroclub

Legal name

Aeroclub de Barcelona-Sabadell

Website

https://aeroclub.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

L'Aeroclub (Aeroclub de Barcelona-Sabadell) is Europe's largest flying club, providing pilot training, aircraft rental, and community-based aviation activities to 1,200+ members from its Sabadell Airport headquarters and additional bases across Catalonia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Training and Aviation Club Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHABAFAD

Aircraft Management & Part 135/135-equivalent Operators

Travel & Hospitality/Airlines & Air Travel/Private Aviation (Business Jets & Air Taxi)

Keywords

• Flight training
• Pilot licensing
• Aircraft rental
• Aviation club
• Flying club

Headquarters

HQ city

Sabadell

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Monthly and entrance fees from 1,200+ active members across General, Section, Temporary, and Junior membership categories. Membership provides access to the fleet, training courses, and club facilities.
2. Flight Training Courses: Revenue from pilot training programs including PPL(A), PPL(H), ULM, SPL, and introductory courses. Professional training offered through Barcelona Flight School division for ATPL and CPL pathways.
3. Aircraft Rental: Members pay hourly rates for aircraft rental with fuel included. Competitive market pricing with discounts based on membership seniority. Fleet of 50+ aircraft including airplanes, helicopters, gliders, and ultralights.
4. Restaurant Services: On-site bar-restaurant operated under Saned brand, open 363 days per year with capacity for 150 persons. Generates revenue from food service, events, and group bookings with free airport parking.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

L'Aeroclub (Aeroclub de Barcelona-Sabadell) is a flying club and aviation training center offering discovery flights, private pilot licensing courses (PPL-A, PPL-H, ULM, SPL), and a professional pilot division (Barcelona Flight School) delivering ATPL and CPL programs. Members access a fleet of 50+ aircraft across airplanes, helicopters, gliders, ultralights, and aerobatic aircraft for rental with fuel included. The organization also operates an AESA-certified maintenance workshop and an on-site restaurant at Sabadell Airport.

Product overview

L'Aeroclub (Aeroclub de Barcelona-Sabadell) operates as a comprehensive flight club and training organization with multiple integrated services. The core offerings include discovery flights and pilot training programs spanning Private Pilot Licences for airplanes (PPL-A), helicopters (PPL-H), ultralights (ULM), and sailplanes (SPL), alongside a professional division branded as Barcelona Flight School for CPL/ATPL career training. The organization maintains a diverse fleet of 50+ aircraft across multiple categories and operates from Sabadell Airport and La Cerdanya airfield. Additional services include restaurant facilities and various membership tiers. The products range from introductory experiences for beginners to advanced professional certification pathways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Discovery/Initiation Flights Introductory flight experiences in airplanes, helicopters, gliders, ultralights, and aerobatic aircraft offering 30-60 minute sessions where participants can take controls under instructor supervision; aimed at beginners, gift purchasers, and those considering further pilot training.
• Private Pilot Licence Course (PPL-A) Training programme enabling pilots to act as pilot-in-command in non-commercial airplane operations, including 45 hours of flight instruction and theoretical training.
• Private Pilot Helicopter Course (PPL-H) Helicopter pilot training programme consisting of 45 hours of flight instruction, a theoretical phase, and a skill test for non-commercial rotary-wing operations.
• Ultralight Pilot Licence (ULM) Course Entry-level ultralight aircraft pilot training conducted at Moià requiring a minimum 15 hours of flight instruction, including solo flight components.
• Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL) Course Glider training programme at La Cerdanya airfield requiring a minimum 15 hours of flight instruction and 45 launches for non-commercial sailplane operations.
• Barcelona Flight School Professional division of L'Aeroclub offering CPL and ATPL programmes for pilots seeking professional aviation careers in airplanes and helicopters, through integrated and modular pathways.
• Club Membership Club membership offering access to the fleet, facilities, training courses, and participation in aviation events, with categories including General, Section, Temporary, and Junior.
• Aircraft Fleet Rental Fleet of 50+ aircraft available to members for rental with fuel included, including Cessna, Tecnam, and Piper airplanes; Robinson helicopters; Schempp-Hirth, Grob, and Rolladen-Schneider gliders; and Aeroprakt ultralights.
• Restaurant Services (Saned) On-site restaurant and bar at Sabadell Airport operated under the Saned brand, open 363 days per year with terrace views of runway operations and capacity for 150 persons.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ESADE Business SchoolminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Academic partnership hosting international students for aviation sector education. Students receive tours of facilities, training programs overview, and hangar visits as part of innovative proposal development projects.
• Barcelona Flight SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarcelona Flight School is the professional division of L'Aeroclub, offering professional pilot training (CPL and ATPL programs) through both integrated and modular pathways. Operates as a separate brand identity while leveraging L'Aeroclub's fleet and facilities.
• Fundació Parc Aeronàutic de Catalunya (FPAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for historical aircraft operations at Sant Fruitós de Bages airfield. FPAC pilots use L'Aeroclub facilities and participate in joint events including monthly PAC Obert airshows. L'Aeroclub promotes FPAC membership for advanced historical aircraft flying.
• Jesuïtes Educació (TMA Program)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative educational programs promoting aviation training pathways as part ofJesuïtes Educació's TMA (Transitions and Milestones in Education) initiative.
• AESA (Agencia Española de Seguridad Aérea)coreTechnology or IntegrationSpanish Aviation Safety Agency that certifies L'Aeroclub as ATO (Approved Training Organization) and approves the CAMO/MRO workshop (ES.CAO.007). Regulatory oversight for all flight training and aircraft maintenance operations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CAE: Global aviation training leader operating flight academies and simulator training centers. Comparable as a broad incumbent in professional pilot training, though at vastly greater scale and with a commercial airline focus.
• FlightSafety International: Global professional aviation training company specializing in simulator-based crew training and type ratings. Comparable as a broad incumbent in aviation training, though focused on airline crews rather than initial pilot certification.
• ATP Flight School: Largest flight training organization in the United States, offering integrated professional pilot programs. Comparable as a broad incumbent in flight training but operating across a different regulatory and geographic market.
• European Flight Academy (Lufthansa Flight Training): Lufthansa Group's professional pilot training arm operating integrated ATPL programs in Germany. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering professional pilot training pathways that compete for the same career-track student demographic as Barcelona Flight School.

Direct peers

• Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom: UK national aero club representing sport and recreational aviation. Comparable as a peer national aero club with member services, training oversight, and event coordination in a similar European regulatory environment.
• Aéro-Club de France: France's historic aero club and a foundational European general aviation body. Comparable as a large national flying club offering pilot training, aircraft access, and community events to members.
• Real Aero Club de España: Spanish national aero club coordinating sport aviation across Spain. Directly comparable as a peer flying/aero club organization in the same regulatory jurisdiction, with similar membership and training offerings.
• Aero Club d'Italia: Italy's national aero club providing pilot training, aircraft rental, and sport aviation coordination. Directly comparable as a peer national aero club serving individual aviation enthusiasts in southern Europe.

Regional players

• Real Federación Aeronáutica de España: Spanish national federation coordinating sport aviation disciplines. Comparable as a regional/national governance body in the same Spanish regulatory environment that L'Aeroclub's members interact with for competitions and sport aviation licenses.

Emerging players

• BAA Training: European aviation training group offering integrated ATPL, CPL, and type rating programs across multiple European bases. Comparable as an emerging professional pilot training peer with a multi-base, multi-country operating model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aeroclubbs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@aeroclubbarcelonasabadell1446
• Facebookfacebook.com/aeroclub.bs/?locale=es_LA
• LinkedInes.linkedin.com/company/aeroclub-barcelona-sabadell
• Instagraminstagram.com/aeroclub.bs

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 L'Aeroclub