What Flight school Hans Grade does

Flugschule "Hans Grade" GmbH is a family-owned EASA-certified flight school founded in 1990 by Thomas Hennig and based at Schönhagen airfield (EDAZ), approximately 25 km south of Berlin. The company operates as an Approved Training Organization (D-BB-ATO 005) holding both a Luftfahrtunternehmen license (D-BB 021 EG) and ICAO Language Testing Center authorization (D-LTO-045). Its core product is multi-tier pilot training covering recreational to commercial licenses, including PPL-A (from €15,750), LAPL-A (from €11,800), SPL-UL ultralight (from €10,000), CPL-A, IFR (B-IR and CB-IR), UPRT, NVFR night rating, aerobatics, tailwheel endorsement, and flight instructor (FI(A), CRI(A), UL instructor) courses. Theory instruction is delivered in-person and via Zoom, with compact courses that compress ground school into 8-10 day blocks.

The company monetizes training programs, ancillary certifications (BZF/AZF radio certificates from €448-€548, ICAO language proficiency testing at €159-€279), aircraft charter from a 9-aircraft fleet (Robin 200/2160i, Piper PA18 Super Cub, Viper SD4, Robin DR400, Cessna 172S, Pioneer-200, Beech Bonanza, Cirrus SR22), experience/scenic flights (€140-€490), guided European flight excursions, banner-towing/air advertising, and US-to-EASA license conversion. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the company website (flugschule-grade.de), a Flightnet reservation system, the AERO trade show, Facebook, email, and word-of-mouth referrals; the customer base spans individual pilots across Germany, DACH countries, and as far as Asia for English-language training.

Operationally, the company runs with a team of approximately 20 staff (employees plus freelancers) from a company-owned building at Hans-Grade-Straße 2 in Schönhagen, with Thomas Hennig and Anne Hennig serving as co-managing directors. Since AERO 2025, Flugschule Hans Grade additionally functions as the German main dealer and certified service partner for the Tomark AERO aircraft group in cooperation with Flight Level 100, extending the business beyond training into aircraft retail and service.

Name

Flight school Hans Grade

Legal name

Flugschule "Hans Grade" GmbH

Website

https://flugschule-grade.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Flugschule Hans Grade is a German EASA-certified flight school founded in 1990, offering pilot training from recreational to commercial licenses (PPL, LAPL, CPL, UL) along with charter, experience flights, banner towing, and ICAO language testing from Schönhagen airfield near Berlin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Aircraft Manufacturing (336411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulatory, Compliance & Type Training (FAA/EASA/ICAO, Part 147/145) (EDAOAFAN), Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAE)

Keywords

• Pilot training services
• Flight school training
• Aircraft charter services
• Aviation theory courses
• License conversion training

Headquarters

HQ city

Schönhagen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Pilot Training Services: Comprehensive flight training programs including PPL-A, LAPL-A, CPL-A, ultralight (SPL-UL), flight instructor courses (FI/A, UL Fi), instrument ratings (B-IR, CB-IR), night flight, aerobatics, and tailwheel endorsements. Revenue generated through course fees, flight hours, and examination fees.
2. Theory Courses: Ground school instruction for various pilot licenses and ratings. Offered as compact courses (8-10 days) or weekend programs, available both in-person and online via Zoom.
3. Radio Operator Certificates (BZF/AZF): Aviation radio communication certificates for pilots. BZF2 (German), BZF1 (German/English), and AZF courses with examination fees.
4. Aircraft Charter: Aircraft rental services with fleet of 9 aircraft including Robin, Piper, Cessna, Viper, Cirrus, Beech Bonanza. Includes type-specific training and safety pilot services.
5. Experience Flights: Sightseeing flights, trial lessons, and specialty flights including aerobatics, ultralight flights, and flights to airports (Berlin Brandenburg, Leipzig). Sold as tickets with 12-month validity.
6. Banner Towing: Aerial advertising services including text banners (letter banners) and poster banners for private and business events.
7. Language Testing: ICAO language proficiency testing (Level 4-6) and language training courses as authorized testing center D-LTO-045.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Flugschule "Hans Grade" provides end-to-end pilot training from beginner ultralight (SPL-UL) through private (PPL-A, LAPL-A), commercial (CPL-A), instrument (B-IR, CB-IR), and instructor (FI(A), UL FI) licenses, supplemented by theory courses (in-person and Zoom), radio certificates (BZF/AZF), ICAO language testing, aircraft charter on a 9-aircraft fleet, scenic and experience flights, banner towing, and since AERO 2025 the German dealership for TOMARK AERO aircraft.

Product overview

Flight school Hans Grade operates as a comprehensive flight training organization and aviation services provider based in Schönhagen, Germany. The company offers a unified platform of pilot training programs ranging from recreational to professional levels, including PPL-A, LAPL-A, CPL-A, various IFR ratings (B-IR and CB-IR), UPRT safety training, SPL-UL ultralight training, and flight instructor courses (FI(A) and UL). The portfolio is complemented by add-on certifications such as NVFR night flight rating, aerobatics, tailwheel endorsement, SEP class ratings, and license conversions (US to EASA). Supporting services include theoretical training courses, BZF/AZF radio certificates, ICAO language testing, aircraft charter with a 9-aircraft fleet, scenic flights, banner towing, and guided European flight excursions. Since AERO 2025, the company also serves as the German main dealer and certified service partner for TOMARK Viper SD4 aircraft.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PPL-A Training (Private Pilot License) Complete training program for the Private Pilot License for Airplanes (PPL-A), a globally recognized license enabling flights worldwide. Includes 100 hours of theoretical instruction and 45 flight hours. Available in German or full English instruction. Pricing starts from €15,750.
• LAPL-A Training (Light Aircraft Pilot License) Training for the Light Aircraft Pilot License for Airplanes (LAPL-A), a cost-effective alternative for flights within Germany and the EU, valid for single-engine aircraft up to 2 tons takeoff weight with maximum 4 occupants. Includes 100 hours of theory and 30 flight hours. Starting from €11,800.
• CPL-A Training (Commercial Pilot License) Commercial Pilot License training (CPL-A) for entry into commercial aviation, including 285 hours of theoretical instruction and minimum 15 flight hours. Requires PPL-A as prerequisite.
• IFR Basic B-IR(A) Training Basic Instrument Rating training (B-IR) enabling flights under IMC conditions with minimum 1,500m visibility and 600ft cloud ceiling, a simplified alternative to full instrument rating.
• IFR IMC CB-IR(A) Training Competency-Based Instrument Rating (CB-IR) training for flying under IMC conditions with decision height not less than 200ft and RVR minimum of 400m for takeoff and 550m for approach.
• UPRT Training (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training) Professional safety and competency training teaching pilots to recognize unusual attitudes, prevent upsets, and recover safely from abnormal flight attitudes.
• SPL-UL Training (Sport Pilot License Ultralight)

Quantifiable outcome

• Theory training can be completed in 10 days
• +2 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Tomark AEROcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Since AERO 2025, Flight school Hans Grade serves as the main dealer (Haupthändler) and certified service partner for the entire Tomark AERO aircraft group in Germany. This partnership is conducted in close cooperation with Flight Level 100, the Tomark AERO general distributor for German-speaking D-A-CH countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). The Viper SD4 is available in UL and ECHO classes (SPL and Night-VFR).
• Flight Level 100coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTomark AERO general distributor for German-speaking D-A-CH countries. Works closely with Flight school Hans Grade on the Tomark AERO partnership for main dealer and service operations in Germany.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lufthansa Aviation Training: One of Europe's largest commercial pilot training providers, operating integrated ATPL and CPL programs across multiple European bases. Overlaps with Hans Grade's CPL-A and IFR training offerings but at a much larger scale and with airline partnerships.
• FlightSafety International: Major aviation training organization offering type ratings, recurrent training, and pilot training across a global network. Overlaps with Hans Grade's advanced ratings (IFR, aerobatics, UPRT) but serves a more professional pilot base.
• CAE: Global aviation training provider offering pilot training, simulator services, and crew resourcing. Competes with Hans Grade in the professional pilot pipeline (CPL/ATPL) and is increasingly active in European ab-initio programs.
• Deutscher Aero Club (DAeC): National aero club of Germany, umbrella organization that includes many member flight schools and offers pilot training infrastructure. Overlaps with Hans Grade's recreational pilot training and acts as a regulator-adjacent industry body.
• European Flight Academy (Lufthansa Group): Lufthansa-owned ab-initio pilot training organization operating across EU bases. Competes directly with Hans Grade's CPL-A program and broader professional pilot pipeline, with broader geographic reach and airline-backed placement.

Regional players

• Aerosport Verbund: Network of German flight schools offering member benefits across multiple bases. Conceptually comparable to Hans Grade's training portfolio and overlaps with its regional flight school market in Germany.

Others

• Tomark AERO: Slovak aircraft manufacturer of the Viper SD4 ultralight and ECHO-class aircraft. Hans Grade is the German main dealer and service partner for Tomark, making it a supply-side partner rather than direct competitor, but ecosystem-relevant.

Direct peers

• Aero-Beta Flight School: German flight school offering PPL-A, LAPL-A, and ultralight training from a German airfield. Operates in the same regulatory and customer segment as Hans Grade, with comparable scale and training portfolio.
• Flight Level 100: Tomark AERO general distributor for German-speaking D-A-CH countries. Closely allied with Flight school Hans Grade on the German main dealer arrangement, operating in the same aviation ecosystem across aircraft sales, training, and charter.

Emerging players

• IPHA (International Pilot Help Alliance): Aviation training and consulting organization in the DACH region offering pilot training and license conversion services. Comparable to Hans Grade's foreign license conversion niche and similar regulatory exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/flugschulehansgrade
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flugschule-hans-grade-gmbh

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Flight school Hans Grade