Global Flight Training
Global Flight Training provides specialized Pilot-in-Command and Second-in-Command type rating training on the Cessna Citation CE-500 series, delivered in customers' own aircraft to professional pilots, flight departments, and aircraft owners worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Global Flight Training does
Global Flight Training (GFT) is a privately held, Columbus, Ohio-based flight training provider that specializes exclusively in type rating and crew member training for the Cessna Citation CE-500 series of business jets, which comprises more than 2,000 aircraft delivered globally. The company offers two core programs: a Pilot in Command (PIC) Initial type rating course delivered over 3-5 days in the customer's own aircraft including ground school, flight training to proficiency, and a Designated Pilot Examiner check ride; and a Second in Command (SIC) crew member course comprising 12 hours of ground training plus 3 hours of logged turbine time in the actual aircraft. Both programs produce an FAA type rating valid across 11 Citation variants (including the Citation I/SP, II/SP, Bravo, V, Ultra, Encore, and Encore+) and the SIC rating is ICAO-compliant, enabling international operations. Underlying methodology is a proprietary "Killer Items" safety curriculum covering 12 known fatal-accident causal factors, combined with Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) and training delivered by instructors who maintain active line-flying status (cumulative 50,000+ flight hours).
GFT's business model is a high-touch, one-time-per-pilot recurring service business. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; individual flight hours can be purchased separately at approximately $2,500 per hour. The go-to-market is a hybrid enterprise field sales / direct-to-consumer motion: instructors travel to the customer's aircraft location globally, while a corporate website with contact forms drives inbound inquiries from individual professional pilots, aircraft owners, and corporate flight departments. SIC group classes are run on a bi-monthly cadence (even months), with individualized training available at additional cost on request. Customer segments span professional commercial pilots seeking type ratings and turbine time for career advancement, aircraft owners and corporate operators, and international pilots pursuing FAA/ICAO-recognized credentials via a conversion process. There is no financial aid program, no reseller channel, and no publicly disclosed pricing, bookings, or revenue.
Global Flight Training firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Global Flight Training
- Website
- https://gftjettraining.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Global Flight Training provides specialized Pilot-in-Command and Second-in-Command type rating training on the Cessna Citation CE-500 series, delivered in customers' own aircraft to professional pilots, flight departments, and aircraft owners worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Global Flight Training industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aviation Training Services
- NAICS
- Flight Training (611512)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)
Keywords
Where Global Flight Training is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Global Flight Training business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- SIC Type Rating Course: Second in Command Crew Member training package including 3 hours logged turbine time, 12 hours ground training on systems, crew resource management, airmanship, and SIC duties. Also includes graduation certificate and FAA FSDO trip accompaniment.
- PIC Type Rating Course: Pilot in Command type rating course for Citation CE-500 series including ground school training, materials, flight training to proficiency, check ride with DPE, and instructor services. Training conducted in customer's aircraft at their location over 3-5 days.
- Individual Flight Hours: Purchasing additional flight hours beyond standard course packages for additional practice and proficiency training.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | SIC Crew Member Training Package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | PIC Initial Type Rating Course |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Flight Hours |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels1 record
Global Flight Training product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Global Flight Training provides FAA type rating and crew member training for the Cessna Citation 500 series aircraft family. The company delivers Pilot in Command (PIC) and Second in Command (SIC) type rating programs that combine ground school, systems training, and flight time in actual Citation aircraft. Training can be conducted in the student's own aircraft at their location or at GFT's facility, with an FAA type rating valid across 11 Citation variants and internationally recognized under ICAO standards.
Product overview
Global Flight Training is a specialized flight training provider offering type rating programs for the Cessna Citation 500 series aircraft family. The company's core offerings consist of two primary training programs: the PIC (Pilot in Command) type rating program and the SIC (Second in Command) crew member training program. The PIC program provides comprehensive training leading to FAA type rating certification, while the SIC program prepares pilots for right-seat operations with logged turbine time and ICAO-compliant ratings valid across 11 Citation variants. Additionally, the company incorporates a 'Killer Items' safety curriculum addressing 12 critical factors known to cause fatal accidents. All training can be conducted in the student's own aircraft or the company's aircraft.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cessna CE-500 Series PIC (Pilot in Command) Program A full Pilot in Command type rating course for Citation CE-500 series aircraft leading to FAA PIC type rating added to Private, Commercial, or Airline Transport Pilot licenses. Includes ground school training, materials, flight training to proficiency in the student's aircraft, check ride with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), and instructor expenses. Typically delivered in 3-5 days with no hidden costs. Designed for flight crew members and aircraft owners who need PIC certification for their own Citation 500 series aircraft.
- Cessna CE-500 Series SIC (Second in Command) Program Crew member training program preparing pilots for right-seat operations in high-performance Citation jets. Includes 12 hours of ground training (systems, crew resource management, airmanship, and SIC duties), 3 hours of logged turbine time in the actual aircraft, type rating endorsement, and FAA FSDO trip accompaniment. Delivers an ICAO-compliant type rating valid for 11 Citation 500 series variants and qualifies pilots for the right seat in any Citation 500 series aircraft.
- Killer Items Safety Training Safety-focused training curriculum covering 12 critical pre-flight and operational items known to cause fatal accidents in Citation aircraft, including door security/locking mechanisms, fuel caps, flap positioning, elevator trim, tire inflation, oxygen mask usage, and communication radio protocols. A systematic checklist methodology unique to GFT's training approach for preventing operational accidents.
- Individual Flight Hours Standalone flight hours available for purchase beyond standard course packages at approximately $2,500 per hour, enabling pilots to obtain additional practice and proficiency training in actual Citation aircraft.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3 hours of logged turbine time in actual aircraft (SIC program)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Global Flight Training
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Global Flight Training technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Global Flight Training partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Global Flight Training competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- FlightSafetyTextron Aviation (Textron Aviation): Manufacturer of Cessna Citation aircraft, including the CE-500 series. As the OEM, Textron has direct relationships with Citation owners and operators that GFT depends on, and influences training standards and recommended training providers.
Broad incumbents
- CAE: Global aviation training leader offering pilot training, including type ratings, across commercial, business, and military aviation. Operates one of the world's largest simulator networks and offers Citation training programs, positioning it as a broad incumbent competitor to GFT's niche Citation 500 training.
Emerging players
- Phoenix East Aviation: Florida-based flight training academy offering private, commercial, and ATP training. While primarily focused on ab initio pilot training, it competes for pilot training market share and represents an alternative pathway for pilots seeking career advancement.
- ATP Flight School: Largest flight training school in the US, focused primarily on multi-engine and ATP training for airline-bound pilots. While focused on lower-altitude ratings rather than Citation type ratings, ATP represents a competitor for pilot training dollars and a feeder source for pilots who may eventually seek jet type ratings.
- Flight Crews International: Niche provider of business aviation crew training and staffing services, including some type rating support. Targets similar professional pilot and corporate flight department customers as GFT in the business aviation training market.
Direct peers
- SimuFlite Training Center: Business aviation training provider offering type ratings and recurrent training for Citation and other business jets. Competes directly with GFT in the Citation 500 series training market using simulator-based programs.
- FlightSafety International: Leading provider of professional aviation training, including type ratings for business jets like the Cessna Citation series. Operates a global network of full-motion simulators and learning centers, directly competing with GFT for Citation 500 series type rating customers, though at much larger scale and primarily via simulators.
- Simcom Aviation Training: Pilot training center specializing in type ratings and recurrent training for business jets, including the Cessna Citation family. Competes with GFT for the same pilot customers seeking Citation 500 series type ratings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Global Flight Training social profiles
Digital presenceGlobal Flight Training financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Global Flight Training leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Global Flight Training funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Global Flight Training M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Global Flight Training
What does Global Flight Training do?
Global Flight Training provides FAA type rating and crew member training for the Cessna Citation 500 series aircraft family. The company delivers Pilot in Command (PIC) and Second in Command (SIC) type rating programs that combine ground school, systems training, and flight time in actual Citation aircraft. Training can be conducted in the student's own aircraft at their location or at GFT's facility, with an FAA type rating valid across 11 Citation variants and internationally recognized under ICAO standards.
Is Global Flight Training a public or private company?
Global Flight Training is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Global Flight Training founded?
Global Flight Training was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Global Flight Training based?
Global Flight Training is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does Global Flight Training make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. SIC Type Rating Course is the primary driver. The others are PIC Type Rating Course and individual Flight Hours.
Who are Global Flight Training's main competitors?
FlightSafetyTextron Aviation (Textron Aviation) is listed as an others. CAE is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Phoenix East Aviation, ATP Flight School and Flight Crews International. Direct peers are SimuFlite Training Center, FlightSafety International and Simcom Aviation Training.
Does Global Flight Training have an API?
No public API is recorded for Global Flight Training.
What industry is Global Flight Training in?
Global Flight Training's product category is Aviation Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAFAJ, Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services, with a secondary code of EDABALAC, Aviation & Aerospace. Its NAICS code is 611512.