What Aéropyrénées does

Aéropyrénées is a French EASA-approved pilot training organisation founded in 1970 at Perpignan Airport, operating as the first private professional flight school in France. It delivers end-to-end ab-initio to airline-ready pilot training through integrated ATPL (18–24 months, around €100,000) and modular pathways (PPL through CPL/IR/MEP/MCC over 36–48 months), complemented by instructor, examiner, type-rating (A320, B737, ATR, Cessna Caravan, DHC-6) and recurrent training programs. The school's training infrastructure comprises 42 aircraft (Piper, SOCATA, Cessna), 4 ALSIM ALX/AL250 FNPT II flight simulators across three owned centers in Perpignan, Toussus-le-Noble and Valence-Chabeuil, an in-house Part 145 maintenance workshop (FR.145.0615) and engine workshop at Aix-en-Provence, CAMO oversight (FR.MG.0136), and a proprietary e-learning and Serious Game training platform.

The business generates revenue primarily through one-time tuition for integrated and modular pilot licences, type and class ratings, instructor/examiner certifications, and ancillary fees from DGAC-administered examinations. GTM is event-driven and field-sales hybrid: open days, immersive experience days, the APY Road Show across France and overseas territories (La Réunion), aviation exhibitions (SFMA, SIAE), and referral partnerships with engineering schools (ESTACA, EPF, IPSA) for the dual Engineer/Pilot ATP cycle. The customer base spans aspiring airline pilots (primary), private pilots progressing modularly, aeronautical engineering students seeking dual qualification, working pilots on recurrent training, and specialised segments such as drone pilots and HandiPilote candidates. Distinction is reinforced by 97% exam pass and 89% satisfaction rates, and a documented alumni-to-airline pipeline that includes Ryanair, EasyJet, Air France, Braathens, Air Caraïbes and others.

Name

Aéropyrénées

Legal name

Aéropyrénées

Website

https://aeropyrenees.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aéropyrénées is a privately held French EASA-approved flight school, founded in 1970, that trains aspiring and professional pilots through integrated ATPL and modular pathways across three owned centers (Perpignan, Toussus-le-Noble, Valence) and affiliated sites in France and Africa, serving individual candidates and feeding graduates into European and African airlines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Pilot Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)

Keywords

• Pilot training school
• ATPL integrated programs
• Aviation training services
• Flight simulator training
• EASA ATO certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Perpignan

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Pilot Training: Core revenue from ATPL integrated and modular training programs including theoretical and practical flight instruction. Programs include PPL, CPL, IR, MEP, MCC, and instructor qualifications. Pricing varies by program with PPL at €12,550 average and full ATPL integrated approximately €100,000.
2. Fleet Management and Maintenance Services: Revenue from integrated PART 145 maintenance operations providing aircraft maintenance, engine overhaul, and CAMO services to own fleet and potentially external clients.
3. Examination and Certification Services: Revenue from DGAC-administered examinations, theory tests, and flight examinations for various pilot licenses and ratings.
4. Type and Class Qualifications: Revenue from type ratings on commercial aircraft (Cessna Caravan, DHC-6, ATR, A320, B737) and class qualifications for private pilots.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Aéropyrénées is a private EASA Approved Training Organisation that delivers professional pilot training from zero experience to airline-ready commercial pilot. Its primary offer is the ATPL Intégré integrated programme (18-24 months covering ATPL theory, CPL, IR, MEP and MCC) and a modular Formation Modulaire pathway (PPL, ATPL theory, CPL, IR/SE/ME, MCC), supplemented by type/class ratings on Cessna Caravan, DHC-6, ATR, A320 and B737, instructor and examiner courses, drone pilot training, and recurrent/renewal training. Training is delivered using a 42-aircraft fleet, four ALSIM FNPT II simulators, and in-house PART 145/CAMO maintenance.

Product overview

Aéropyrénées is a professional airline pilot training school founded in 1970, operating as a unified training institution with integrated and modular programs. The core offering comprises the ATPL Intégré (18-24 month intensive integrated program) and Formation Modulaire (step-by-step pathway from PPL to CPL/ATPL). Supporting infrastructure includes FNPT II simulators (ALSIM ALX and AL250), a fleet of 42 aircraft (Piper, SOCATA, Cessna), and in-house PART 145 maintenance. Specialized programs cover instructor and examiner training, type ratings (A320, B737, ATR), drone pilot licensing, and disability-inclusive training. The school operates three main centers (Perpignan, Toussus-le-Noble, Valence) plus affiliated locations, and maintains approvals FR.ATO 0038, FR.145.0615, and FR.MG.0136.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• APY ALUMNI: Alumni network for former students of Aéropystèmes flight school.

Products and services

• Formation ATPL Intégré (ATPI) Intensive integrated Airline Transport Pilot License training program for candidates with no prior aviation experience. The program includes ATPL theory (13 certificates), CPL, IR/SE, MEP, IR/ME, and MCC, with a duration of 18-24 months and approximately €100,000 total cost.
• Formation Modulaire Step-by-step modular pilot training pathway allowing students to progress from PPL through CPL, modular ATPL theory, instrument ratings, MCC, type ratings and instructor/examiner courses over 36-48 months.
• Licence Pilote Privé (PPL) Private Pilot License enabling non-remunerated piloting for leisure. Includes 9 theoretical modules, 30 hours flight instruction, 5 hours simulator and 10 hours solo flight, with average package cost around €12,550.
• Formation ATPL Théorique Theoretical ATPL training covering 13 certificate modules required for the airline pilot license, available on-site or via distance learning as part of the modular pathway.
• Formation CPL (Licence Pilote Commercial) Commercial Pilot License training enabling remuneration for pilot functions. Required for airline employment, with a duration of approximately 5-6 weeks.
• Qualification IR/SE et IR/ME (Instrument Rating) Instrument rating qualification enabling pilots to fly in IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) conditions, available for single-engine (IR/SE) and multi-engine (IR/ME) aircraft.
• Qualification MEP (Multi-Engine Piston) Multi-engine piston aircraft qualification training covering asymmetric thrust and engine failure scenarios, including 7 hours ground school and 6 hours dual flight on twin-engine aircraft.
• Formation MCC (Multi Crew Coordination) Multi-crew coordination training preparing pilots for airline operations, including 25 hours theoretical training and 45 hours simulator sessions split between Pilot Flying and Pilot Monitoring roles.
• Formation Instructeur (FI/IRI/CRI) Flight instructor training programs covering FI (Flight Instructor), IRI (Instrument Rating Instructor) and CRI (Class Rating Instructor) qualifications.
• Formation Examinateur (FE/IRE/CRE) Flight examiner training for FE (Flight Examiner), IRE (Instrument Rating Examiner) and CRE (Class Rating Examiner) certifications.
• Qualifications de Type et de Classe Type and class ratings for various aircraft including Cessna Caravan, DHC-6, TP600, A320, B737 and ATR aircraft families.
• Formation Anglais Aéronautique (FCL.055 & TOEIC) Aeronautical English language training including FCL.055 compliance and TOEIC preparation for airline pilot licensing requirements.
• Conversion de Licence OACI License conversion service for foreign ICAO-standard pilot licenses to EASA European license format.
• Cycle Ingénieur / ATPI Combined engineer and pilot training program offered in partnership with ESTACA, EPF and IPSA engineering schools, leading to both an engineering degree and integrated ATPL pilot training.
• Formation Télé-Pilote de Drone Drone pilot license training for remotely piloted aircraft operations.

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and supporting.

• Braathens Regional AirlinesstrategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 June 2025Selected four Aéropyrénées students for pilot positions at Braathens through ATR partnership pipeline. Direct pathway from training to airline employment.
• ATR (Avions de Transport Régional)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2025Strategic partnership with ATR aircraft manufacturer to attract new generations of ATR pilots. Includes immersive training center visits at ATR Toulouse, selection of four students for Braathens airline pathway, and joint participation at SFMA aerospace expo.
• SKY4usupportingTechnology or IntegrationMCC-APS (Multi Crew Coordination - Airline Pilot Standard) partnership providing B737 simulator training as complement to on-site FNPT II simulators.
• Senegal Air Force (Armée de l'Air du Sénégal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo-year partnership establishing pilot training center at Thiès Air Base for Senegalese military and civilian pilots under Aéropyrénées ATO approval.
• ESTACAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering school partnership offering concurrent ATP Ingénieur program combining aeronautical engineering degree with integrated ATPL pilot training at Paris-Saclay campus.
• EPF (Ecole Polytechnique Féminin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering school partnership at Sceaux campus offering ATP Ingénieur concurrent engineering/pilot training program.
• IPSA (Institut Polytechnique des Sciences Avancées)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAeronautical engineering school partnership at Ivry-sur-Seine offering ATP Ingénieur concurrent program with integrated ATPL training.
• EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency)coreOthersEuropean regulatory authority granting ATO approval (FR.ATO 0038) and overseeing training standards compliance.
• DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile)coreOthersFrench civil aviation authority providing examination administration and regulatory oversight for pilot licensing.
• ALSIMsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSimulator manufacturer supplying ALX and AL250 FNPT II certified flight training devices across training centers.
• JeppesensupportingTechnology or IntegrationAviation navigation data and charts provider for flight planning and training materials.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• FlightSafety International: Berkshire Hathaway-owned global aviation training organization focused on type-rating and recurrent training for airlines and professionals. Comparable to AéroPyrénées at the type-rating and instructor/examiner offering layer, though centered on advanced training rather than ab-initio ATPL.
• CAE Inc. Canadian-headquartered global leader in civil aviation training with hundreds of simulators and pilot training operations worldwide. Directly comparable to AéroPyrénées as the dominant scaled player in integrated ATPL/type-rating training; broader because CAE also serves defense and healthcare simulation.
• ENAC (École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile): French state-run civil aviation university providing initial pilot training, engineer curricula, and ATPL programs. Domestic peer that competes for the same French ab-initio pool and engineering-school pathways, though backed by state funding and a broader aeronautical scope.

Direct peers

• Airways Aviation: European flight school group with integrated ATPL programs across multiple countries (UK, Spain, France). Direct competitor for European ab-initio pilot enrollment with comparable integrated training product.
• BAA Training: Lithuania-headquartered European ATPL integrated and modular training group with multiple bases across Europe and Vietnam. Closely comparable to AéroPyrénées in business model (ab-initio to type rating) and target customer (aspiring airline pilots), with broader geographic spread.
• L3Harris Airline Academy (formerly L3 Airline Academy): L3Harris operates integrated ATPL cadet programs in Europe (UK, Portugal, Netherlands) and competes head-to-head with AéroPyrénées for European airline cadet pipeline contracts and aspiring-pilot enrollment. Closest like-for-like peer at the integrated ATPL training layer.
• Flight Training Europe: Spanish-headquartered ATPL integrated training school serving European and international cadets. Comparable to AéroPyrénées in integrated program design, fleet/simulator model, and target customer profile.
• OSM Aviation Academy: Scandinavian-based integrated ATPL training provider operating multiple European bases. Directly comparable to AéroPyrénées in integrated ab-initio training offering, market segment, and airline recruitment partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AEROPYRENEES.ATO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aeropyrenees
• Instagraminstagram.com/aeropyrenees
• Xx.com/aeropyrenees1

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Aéropyrénées