Mountain Flyers

What Mountain Flyers does

Mountain Flyers 80 Ltd is a Swiss helicopter operator and flight school founded on December 24, 1980, and headquartered at Bern-Belp Airport with a secondary operational base at Grenchen. The company runs a diversified aviation services portfolio organized around four revenue pillars: commercial passenger flights (Alpine sightseeing from Bern-Belp and Grenchen, VIP/taxi charter, and special-occasion flights such as weddings and birthdays); aerial work (material transport, pipeline and survey flights, and aerial filming/photography); a pilot training school delivering PPL(H), CPL(H), mountain ratings, type ratings (Airbus H125, Robinson R22/R44), night ratings, sling-load training, and flight instructor certifications; and ancillary revenue from an online shop selling gift vouchers and merchandise, plus rental of the Hangar 7 event venue at Bern Airport. Underlying training technology is the company's most differentiated asset: Mountain Flyers is the launch customer of Loft Dynamics VR motion simulators and operates a unique CPL(H) hybrid training concept that substitutes a portion of in-aircraft time with VR simulation, enabling risk-free practice of complex procedures including a Simulator HESLO module launched in 2024 for transport-pilot sling-load training.

The go-to-market is predominantly direct-to-consumer via the mountainflyers.ch e-commerce platform, phone, email, and WhatsApp, supplemented by physical sales at events such as Heli Day Grenchen, Open Houses, and the biennial Wings & Friends aviation gathering. Pricing is unit-based for sightseeing (CHF 65–490 per person depending on duration and route) and voucher/merchandise sales, usage-based for flight instruction, and project-quoted for aerial work and VIP charter. Customer segments span individual leisure tourists, aspiring helicopter pilots (the training segment is co-primary with leisure), corporate and VIP clients, and commercial/industrial operators requiring aerial work. The firm is a member of the Swiss Helicopter Association (SHA), Leading Helicopter Academies (LHA), and Switzerland Tourism, and holds an official pilot-training partnership with Air Zermatt.

Following a 2025 ownership transition in which Tobias Zumsteg acquired the controlling stake from Christoph Graf, the company has accelerated partnership activity (Air Zermatt, capzlog.aero for EASA-accepted digital pilot logbooks). Mountain Flyers 80 Ltd is a privately held Swiss company (GmbH-type private limited) with headcount reported in the 11–50 band; revenue is not publicly disclosed. The 2018 acquisition of Heli-West AG is the only documented M&A transaction, and the operating geography remains confined to Switzerland.

Name

Mountain Flyers

Legal name

Mountain Flyers 80 Ltd

Website

https://mountainflyers.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mountain Flyers 80 Ltd is a Swiss helicopter operator and flight school founded in 1980, offering Alpine sightseeing flights, VIP charter, aerial work, and EASA-certified pilot training from bases in Bern-Belp and Grenchen. It serves individual leisure customers, aspiring pilots, corporate clients, and industrial operators across Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Aviation Services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Flight Training (611512), Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Scenic & Sightseeing Helicopter Tours (THABAGAE)

Keywords

• Helicopter sightseeing flights
• Helicopter pilot training
• Aerial work services
• VIP helicopter transport
• VR flight simulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Butcher Burn

HQ country

Belize

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Helicopter Sightseeing Flights: Tourist and leisure helicopter flights offering Alpine sightseeing experiences from Bern-Belp and Grenchen bases. Revenue from individual seat bookings and private charter flights.
2. Pilot Training Services: Comprehensive helicopter pilot training including PPL(H), CPL(H), mountain ratings, type ratings, night ratings, flight instructor courses, and VR simulator-based training modules.
3. Aerial Work Services: Transport flights for materials, survey flights, pipeline inspections, and filming/photography from the air.
4. VIP and Taxi Flights: Private helicopter transportation services for individuals and corporate clients requiring flexible air travel.
5. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including drinking bottles and jackets.
6. Event Venue Rental (Hangar 7): Event location rentals at Hangar 7 facility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mountain Flyers sells helicopter sightseeing flights, VIP/taxi transport, aerial work (transport, survey, film/photo flights), and helicopter pilot training from Bern-Belp and Grenchen in Switzerland. Training combines real helicopter flight hours with Loft Dynamics VR motion simulator modules, including PPL(H), CPL(H), mountain, night, type, sling load, and instructor ratings. Customers can book individual seats, private charters, vouchers, and merchandise through the company's own e-commerce site.

Product overview

Mountain Flyers 80 Ltd is a Swiss helicopter company operating from bases in Bern-Belp and Grenchen, offering a portfolio of interconnected aviation services. The core offerings include commercial passenger helicopter flights (sightseeing, VIP taxi, and charter transport) and aerial work operations (material transport, filming, surveying). The company operates a flight school providing pilot training from private to commercial levels, utilizing a unique hybrid approach combining real helicopters with Loft Dynamics virtual reality simulators for cost-efficient training. Additional revenue streams include an online shop for vouchers and merchandise, event venue rental at Hangar 7, and participation in aviation events like Heli Day and Wings & Friends. The portfolio integrates practical flight operations with training, technology, and hospitality services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Helicopter Sightseeing Flights Scenic helicopter flights over Switzerland's most beautiful regions from Bern-Belp or Grenchen, including city tours, Alpine flights (Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau), and glacier landings with stopovers. Customers can book individual seats or private charters and purchase gift vouchers. Pricing is per-seat, ranging from CHF 65 for short scenic hops to CHF 490 for a 45-minute glacier flight with aperitif.
• VIP and Taxi Flights On-demand helicopter transportation allowing passengers to determine departure and arrival points independently of public transport and airports. Offers safe, discreet, and comfortable travel without waiting times for corporate and VIP clients.
• Aerial Works Commercial helicopter operations including material/sling load transport, surveying, pipeline inspections, and aerial filming and photography services for industrial, construction, and media clients. Includes transport flights around Bern and dedicated film & photography flight services.
• Pilot Training (Flight School) Comprehensive helicopter pilot training programs covering Private Pilot PPL(H), Commercial Pilot CPL(H) (including modular), mountain ratings (MOU), night ratings (NIT), type ratings on Airbus H125 / Robinson R22 / R44, sling load (HESLO) training, flight instructor (FI) certification, and mountain flight instructor ratings up to 2,000 m and unrestricted. Instruction is delivered through both real helicopter flight and Loft Dynamics VR simulator modules.
• Virtual Reality Simulator Training State-of-the-art VR motion simulator training delivered in partnership with Loft Dynamics. Used for Airbus H125 type rating, CPL(H) training under the unique CPL(H) concept, proficiency checks (LPC/OPC) on the H125, PPL(H) start packages, the Simulator HESLO module, and Claude Vuichard safe-autorotation seminars.
• Online Shop (Gift Vouchers, Sightseeing Flights, Fly-Yourself Experiences, Merchandise) E-commerce platform for purchasing gift vouchers for sightseeing flights and fly-yourself experiences, as well as accessories and branded merchandise such as Mountainflyers water bottles (CHF 24.90) and down jackets.
• Hangar 7 Event Venue Event location at Bern Airport offering a unique aviation-themed venue for private events, corporate functions, and special occasions.
• Event Flights (Weddings, Birthdays, Heli Flying Days) Special helicopter experiences packaged for events including wedding flights, birthday flights, heli flying days, and participation in aviation events such as Heli Day Grenchen and Wings & Friends.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Swiss Air Force Super Puma Display TeamminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 August 2026Featured display team at Heli Day Grenchen 2026 event, providing spectacle and attracting aviation enthusiasts.
• Air ZermattcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Mountain Flyers flight school is an official partner school of Air Zermatt for basic training (PPL). This partnership validates the quality of Mountain Flyers' pilot training program and provides a pathway for graduates to pursue careers with Air Zermatt.
• Swiss Helicopter AssociationcoreOthersMember of Swiss Helicopter Association (SHA), the industry association for helicopter operators in Switzerland.
• Leading Helicopter AcademiescoreOthersMember of Leading Helicopter Academies (LHA), a network of leading European helicopter flight schools.
• Switzerland TourismminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Switzerland member, participating in tourism promotion activities.
• Fotra Catering & EventsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent catering partner for Heli Day Grenchen, providing food and beverage services during the event.
• City of GrenchenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal government partner for Heli Day Grenchen event, promoting the event and local area.
• Loft DynamicscoreTechnology or IntegrationMountain Flyers is the launch customer of Loft Dynamics VR flight simulators, demonstrating their commitment to innovation in pilot training.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Loft Dynamics: Provider of the VR motion simulators that Mountain Flyers is the launch customer for — adjacent technology partner rather than a competitor, but integral to Mountain Flyers' training differentiation and competitive positioning.

Direct peers

• Air Zermatt: Zermatt-based Swiss helicopter operator offering scenic flights, charter, rescue, and pilot training — Mountain Flyers' most direct domestic competitor and now official PPL partner school, operating in the same Alpine sightseeing and flight-school categories.
• Heli Bernina: Swiss helicopter operator focused on Alpine sightseeing, charters, and aerial work — closely comparable niche operator competing for the same high-end Alpine leisure customer.
• Heliswiss: Swiss helicopter company running charter, sightseeing, and external-load operations — competes with Mountain Flyers in the same Swiss helicopter services market.
• Air Glaciers: Swiss helicopter operator providing mountain flights, charter, training, and aerial work across multiple Swiss bases — direct overlap with Mountain Flyers across the leisure, charter, and training segments.
• Swiss Helicopter AG: Largest Swiss helicopter operator network offering charter, sightseeing, training, and work flights from multiple bases — overlapping almost 1:1 with Mountain Flyers' sightseeing, charter, and flight-school services across the Swiss Plateau and Alps.

Broad incumbents

• REGA (Swiss Air-Rescue): Switzerland's national air-rescue organisation that also operates commercial helicopter flights and trainings; broader mandate with EMS primacy, but overlapping sightseeing and event presence with Mountain Flyers.
• Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters: Established large-scale sightseeing/charter helicopter operator — useful comp for the leisure-segment operating model and event-driven merchandising/voucher business even though geography differs.

Regional players

• Helicoptere France / Mont-Blanc Helicoptere: French Alpine helicopter operator running scenic flights and charter from the Chamonix/Mont-Blanc side — same Alpine sightseeing demand pool across the border, but separate regulatory jurisdiction.

Emerging players

• European Helicopter Academy (part of LHA network): Network of leading European helicopter flight schools (of which Mountain Flyers is a member) — provides comparable PPL/CPL/rating programs and represents the European competitive set for Mountain Flyers' training business.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mountain-flyers-80-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Mountain Flyers