Helicopter Flight Training Services
HFTS Helicopter Flight Training Services GmbH is a privately-held German company that operates four networked Full Flight Simulators for NH90 military transport helicopter pilot training at three German military bases, serving primarily the German Bundeswehr and international NH90 operators under a long-term BAAINBw contract through 2028.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersHallbergmoos, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Helicopter Flight Training Services does
HFTS Helicopter Flight Training Services GmbH is a privately-held German defense training services company founded in 2004 and headquartered in Hallbergmoos, near Munich. The company is the world's first and leading provider of Full Flight Simulator (FFS) training services for the NH90 military transport helicopter, operating four company-developed, built and financed FFS units and their peripheral support systems across three German locations: Bückeburg, Niederstetten and Faßberg. HFTS' simulators carry EASA CS-FSTD(H) Level C qualification and the firm has maintained DIN EN ISO 9001 certification since 2008.
The company's core technical differentiator is a globally unique networking architecture that interconnects all four simulators across the three sites, enabling two tactical formations (Rotten) to conduct coordinated formation training simultaneously within a shared virtual environment. The platform integrates HLA connectivity with VBS3 (Virtual Battle Space 3) for computer-generated forces, supports an MR1 cockpit configuration, and includes an in-house OSS Sim scenario design tool plus a visual database with 250 animated 3D models. A modernization program under contract with BAAINBw runs through 2028, upgrading simulators to MR1 configuration with enhanced vibration simulation, HMS/D display, communication systems, and photorealistic video rendering.
HFTS generates revenue through managed-services flight simulator training delivered primarily to the German Bundeswehr under a multi-year prime contract awarded by BAAINBw in December 2019, with stated availability to international NH90 user-family operators as well. Distribution is exclusively direct enterprise field sales to government and military procurement agencies, with training delivered in person at the company's own facilities co-located with German military bases. Commercial pricing is not publicly disclosed; a job posting indicates gross technical-staff base salaries of €66,000–€78,000, providing a labor-cost proxy.
Helicopter Flight Training Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Helicopter Flight Training Services
- Legal name
- HFTS Helicopter Flight Training Services GmbH
- Website
- https://www.hfts.eu/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- HFTS Helicopter Flight Training Services GmbH is a privately-held German company that operates four networked Full Flight Simulators for NH90 military transport helicopter pilot training at three German military bases, serving primarily the German Bundeswehr and international NH90 operators under a long-term BAAINBw contract through 2028.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Helicopter Flight Training Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hallbergmoos
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Helicopter Flight Training Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Military Flight Simulator Training Services: Direct training services on NH90 full flight simulators for military pilots. The company operates 4 FFS units providing cockpit training, mission scenarios, and recurrent training for Bundeswehr and international NH90 operators.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Technical personnel compensation (non-pricing) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Helicopter Flight Training Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HFTS operates four Full Flight Simulators (FFS) for the NH90 military transport helicopter at three German locations, providing EASA CS-FSTD(H) Level C-qualified pilot training, mission scenario rehearsal, formation flying exercises, and recurrent training. The simulators are interconnected through a globally unique networked architecture enabling two squadrons to train together in realistic virtual environments, supporting initial qualification, mission-specific training, and emergency procedure rehearsal for the Bundeswehr and international NH90 operators.
Product overview
HFTS operates a portfolio of 4 Full Flight Simulators (FFS) for the NH90 military transport helicopter at three German locations (Bückeburg, Niederstetten, Faßberg), with a fifth simulator undergoing MR1 upgrade. The simulators form a globally unique networked training system enabling coordinated multi-crew exercises. Core offerings include pilot training services, simulator access, and the OSS Sim operations support system. The company is undertaking a major modernization program (2019-2028) to upgrade all simulators to MR1 configuration with EASA CS-FSTD(H) Level C qualification, enhanced visual systems, and HLA connectivity to VBS3 simulation platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NH90 Full Flight Simulator Training Services High-quality training and continuing education for NH90 military transport helicopter pilots delivered on four in-house developed and built Full Flight Simulators across three German locations (Bückeburg, Niederstetten, Faßberg). Training covers cockpit procedures, mission scenarios, formation flying, dust landings, NAP-of-the-earth flight, autorotations, and emergency procedures, with simulators qualified to EASA CS-FSTD(H) Level C.
- OSS Sim (Operations Support System Simulation)
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced operational flight hours through realistic simulation training
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Helicopter Flight Training Services
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Helicopter Flight Training Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature9 records
Helicopter Flight Training Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- BAAINBw (Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr)coreGovernment procurement agency awarded contract for NH90 simulator modernization. Contract signed December 19, 2019 extends successful cooperation through 2028. HFTS will upgrade simulators to MR1 configuration and obtain EASA CS-FSTD(H) Level C qualification.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Helicopter Flight Training Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CAE Inc. CAE is the world's largest civil and military flight simulation and training company. It directly competes with HFTS in full flight simulator-based pilot training and offers a comparable combination of simulator manufacturing, training services, and integrated networked training environments.
- FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International provides high-fidelity flight simulator-based training across multiple aircraft types for civil and military operators. It is a direct peer in operating full flight simulators and selling recurring pilot training hours, though with a broader airframe portfolio than HFTS.
Broad incumbents
- Thales Training & Simulation: Thales operates a large defense simulation and training business supplying synthetic training systems, including helicopter simulators, to armed forces worldwide. It is a broader incumbent serving similar military aviation training customers with a wider portfolio of systems.
- L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris provides military simulation and training solutions including flight simulators and networked training environments. It is a broader incumbent serving defense customers with overlapping but more diversified simulation offerings than HFTS.
- Rheinmetall AG: Rheinmetall is a major German defense contractor that supplies training and simulation systems to the Bundeswehr. It is a domestic incumbent peer with broader defense electronics and vehicle training exposure that competes for the same Bundeswehr training budget.
- Leonardo S.p.A. Leonardo is a major European aerospace and defense prime and an NHIndustries (NH90) program shareholder with helicopter training and simulation capabilities. It is relevant as both a potential customer channel for NH90 training and a broader incumbent in military rotary-wing training.
- Saab AB: Saab supplies defense training and simulation solutions, including helicopter-related systems, to European armed forces. It is a broader incumbent with a comparable customer base of European military operators and overlapping simulation capabilities.
Emerging players
- Indra Sistemas: Indra provides simulation and training systems for defense customers including helicopter synthetic training. It is an emerging peer with partial overlap in military simulator technology and networked training environments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Helicopter Flight Training Services social profiles
Digital presenceHelicopter Flight Training Services compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Helicopter Flight Training Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Helicopter Flight Training Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Helicopter Flight Training Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Helicopter Flight Training Services 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 Helicopter Flight Training Services
What does Helicopter Flight Training Services do?
HFTS operates four Full Flight Simulators (FFS) for the NH90 military transport helicopter at three German locations, providing EASA CS-FSTD(H) Level C-qualified pilot training, mission scenario rehearsal, formation flying exercises, and recurrent training. The simulators are interconnected through a globally unique networked architecture enabling two squadrons to train together in realistic virtual environments, supporting initial qualification, mission-specific training, and emergency procedure rehearsal for the Bundeswehr and international NH90 operators.
Is Helicopter Flight Training Services a public or private company?
Helicopter Flight Training Services is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Helicopter Flight Training Services founded?
Helicopter Flight Training Services was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Helicopter Flight Training Services based?
Helicopter Flight Training Services is headquartered in Hallbergmoos, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Helicopter Flight Training Services make money?
One revenue line is on record: military Flight Simulator Training Services.
Who are Helicopter Flight Training Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CAE Inc. and FlightSafety International. Broad incumbents are Thales Training & Simulation, L3Harris Technologies, Rheinmetall AG, Leonardo S.p.A. and Saab AB. Indra Sistemas is listed as an emerging player.
Does Helicopter Flight Training Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Helicopter Flight Training Services.