Cloud Dancer Aviation

What Cloud Dancer Aviation does

Cloud Dancer Aviation is an FAA Part 141 certified flight training academy headquartered in Deland, Florida, operating under President David Alber. Founded circa 2016 but referencing more than 18 years of training experience, the academy delivers a structured progression of pilot certification programs — Private Pilot License (PPL), Instrument Airplane Rating, Commercial Pilot Single Engine, and CFI/CFII/MEI instructor ratings — plus a specialized Airbus A320 Jet Training Program for international pilots pursuing airline employment. Training is delivered one-on-one with 24/7 scheduling flexibility using a fleet of Cessna 152s, Cessna 172s, Piper Arrow, and Piper Seneca aircraft based at DeLand Airport, which offers access to both controlled and non-controlled airspace.

The academy primarily serves international students — particularly from India, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia — supported by a network of in-country representatives: Speed Jet Aviation, VAYUMAAN AVIATION, Aspiring Pilots, and Jetwings Pilot Training Academy in India; Eastern Aviation in Brazil; Aeroclub ABN Aero in Russia; and a contact in Uganda. Its TSA-approved school status permits the academy name to appear on student M-1 visas, a meaningful enabler for international enrollment. Bundled programs tailored to Indian students (Basic and Advanced CPL Indian Programs) and JAA/CAA license conversion packages for international credentialing represent the academy's most differentiated go-to-market plays.

Revenue is generated through bundled multi-week flight training programs priced on a quote basis, aircraft rental for time-building and recurrency training, and introductory discovery flights. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; prospective students are directed to contact the academy directly. Distribution is primarily reputation-based and referral-driven through the international representative network plus a Squarespace-hosted website. The company has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, no API or SDK surface, no app, and no institutional investors — it operates as a privately held, family-led business referencing three generations of aviation experience.

Name

Cloud Dancer Aviation

Legal name

Cloud Dancer Aviation

Website

https://flycda.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cloud Dancer Aviation is an FAA Part 141 certified flight training academy in Deland, Florida, delivering PPL through Commercial pilot certifications and an Airbus A320 type-rating program to international students sourced via representatives in India, Brazil, Russia, and Uganda.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Flight training academy
• Pilot certification programs
• FAA Part 141 school
• International pilot training
• Airline career preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Deland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Flight Training Programs: Revenue generated from comprehensive pilot training programs including PPL, IR, CPL, and advanced ratings. Programs include one-on-one instruction, aircraft rental, ground school, and check-rides bundled into packages.
2. Aircraft Rental: Time building and recurrency training services with aircraft available for rent at reasonable rates. Students and licensed pilots can rent aircraft for building flight time or personal trips.
3. Discovery Flights: 30-minute introductory flights for prospective students to experience training and evaluate aircraft options before committing to full programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Cloud Dancer Aviation is an FAA Part 141 certified flight training academy that delivers progressive pilot certification programs (Private Pilot License, Instrument Airplane Rating, Commercial Pilot Single Engine) along with discovery flights, time building/rental, and bundled international packages including Basic and Advanced CPL Indian Programs and an Airbus A320 Jet Training Program. Training is delivered one-on-one, 24/7, on a fleet of Cessna and Piper aircraft at DeLand Airport, Florida, with TSA-approved school status enabling international student visa sponsorship.

Product overview

Cloud Dancer Aviation is an FAA Part 141 certified flight training academy offering a comprehensive portfolio of pilot training programs. The core offering consists of progressive certification programs: Discovery Flights (introductory 30-minute sessions), Private Pilot License (PPL), Instrument Airplane Rating, Commercial Pilot Single Engine, and Time Building/Recurrency Training. The academy also offers specialized International Student Packages including Basic and Advanced CPL Indian Programs designed for JAA/CAA conversion, plus an Airbus-Direct A320 Jet Training Program. Training is delivered using a fleet of Cessna 152s, Cessna 172s, Piper Arrow, and Piper Seneca aircraft. Student accommodations with amenities are available as add-on services. The company has over 18 years of experience with international students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Flight Training Programs Customized professional pilot training programs delivered one-on-one with small classes and 24/7 flexible scheduling, FAA Part 141 certified, for individual students pursuing pilot certification.
• Discovery Flights 30-minute introductory flights that let prospective students experience training firsthand and evaluate different aircraft before committing to a full program.
• Private Pilot License (PPL) Foundational pilot certification covering aerodynamics, weather, cross country navigation, and safety; approximately 4 weeks duration with 20 hours of dual instruction and 20 hours of solo flight.
• Instrument Airplane Rating Advanced rating enabling pilots to fly in clouds and instrument meteorological conditions; approximately 5 weeks in duration, critical for airline pilot careers.
• Commercial Pilot Single Engine Single engine rating add-on to the commercial pilot license, covering advanced maneuvers including chandelles, lazy eights, and steep spirals; approximately 2 weeks in duration.
• Time Building & Recurrency Training Aircraft rental service offering access to the entire fleet at reasonable rates for licensed pilots building flight time for new ratings, personal travel, or recurrency.
• Basic CPL Indian Program Bundled training package designed for Indian students covering PPL (40 flight hours) and time building (153.5 hours PIC and 18.5 hours dual), with optional accommodations.
• Advanced CPL Indian Program Extended bundled training package for Indian students covering PPL (70 hours), Instrument Rating (35 hours dual), time building (118.5 hours PIC), and Commercial Multi (23.5 hours dual), with books, FAA tests, and flight medical all included.
• International Student Packages Training packages assisting international students with JAA, CAA, and other country licensing conversions, with downloadable program details for Indian and Saudi Arabian students.
• Airbus-Direct A320 Jet Training Program Specialized jet training program providing Airbus A320 type rating instruction for international pilots seeking airline employment.
• Fleet (Training Aircraft) Training aircraft fleet consisting of Cessna 152, Cessna 172, Piper Arrow, and Piper Seneca aircraft supported by a private in-house refueling tank, located at DeLand Airport in Florida.
• Student Accommodations & Amenities Housing assistance for out-of-area students plus on-site amenities including a swimming pool, 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour clothes care center, and shaded picnic area with barbecue grills.

Quantifiable outcome

• International graduates are hired by airlines worldwide

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Speed Jet AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner located in Mumbai, India (Mr Mukesh Bhatia / Capt Dharamraj Shukla) representing Cloud Dancer Aviation for international student recruitment from the Indian market.
• Aspiring PilotscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational representative in Kerala, India (Shibil / Sangeeth) representing Cloud Dancer Aviation for student recruitment in the region.
• VAYUMAAN AVIATIONcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational representative (Mr. Raja Behl) based in New Delhi, India assisting with student inquiries and recruitment for Cloud Dancer Aviation. Contact available in India and USA.
• Jetwings Pilot Training AcademycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPilot counselor (Balwant Singh Rawat) in Mumbai, Maharashtra representing Cloud Dancer Aviation for student recruitment.
• Eastern AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrazil representative (Thiago Massa) representing Cloud Dancer Aviation in South America for student recruitment.
• Aeroclub ABN AerocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAeroclub ABN Aero (Olga Darkova) representing Cloud Dancer Aviation in Russia for pilot training student recruitment.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Flyers: Multi-base US flight training network offering PPL, instrument, commercial, and CFI programs at several locations. Comparable career-track flight training offering to CDA, with a similar instructor-led, in-person model.
• ATP Flight School: The largest FAA Part 141 flight training network in the United States, offering PPL through ATP certification at multiple bases. Competes directly with Cloud Dancer for career-track pilot students, though at materially greater scale and geographic reach.
• L3Harris Airline Academy: Structured, integrated airline pilot training program delivering ab initio to type rating. Closely comparable to CDA's career-track, FAA-aligned training model but with greater scale and direct airline partnerships.
• Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: Vocational aviation school offering pilot, AMT, and avionics programs. Comparable as a focused, career-oriented aviation training institution but with broader program scope than CDA.
• Republic Airways Aviation Academy: Airline-sponsored flight training academy tied to Republic Airways that funnels graduates directly into a regional carrier. Comparable career-pathway model to CDA but with a single dedicated airline employer relationship at scale.

Broad incumbents

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: The largest US university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offering FAA-aligned flight training as part of degree programs. Comparable in producing career-track pilots but operates as an accredited university with degree-based offerings.
• CAE: Global aviation training leader providing pilot training, simulators, and airline crew resourcing. A broader incumbent that competes in the same end market (professional pilot training and airline pipeline supply) but across a much wider portfolio.
• FlightSafety International: A globally established aviation training organization that delivers pilot, instructor, and type-rating programs to commercial, business, and military operators. Overlaps with CDA on advanced/jet training but operates at far larger scale and breadth.
• Purdue University – School of Aviation and Transportation Technology: Major US university-based flight training program producing airline-bound professional pilots. Comparable FAA-aligned training output but delivered within a university degree framework and at substantially larger scale.
• University of North Dakota – John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences: Large US university flight training program with a substantial fixed-wing fleet and a long track record of airline placement. Comparable in producing career pilots, particularly internationally, but with university scale and resources.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=9Ody9DdHrXw&t=191s
• Facebookfacebook.com/clouddancerdeland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cloud-dancer-aviation

Compliance2 records

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&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Cloud Dancer Aviation