What Tristar Aviation does

Tristar Aviation Co. Pty Ltd is an Australian CASA Part 142 certified flight school founded in August 1993 by Geoff and Adrianne Fleming at Moorabbin Airport, Victoria, with a second training base opened at Launceston Airport, Tasmania in 2025. The company delivers a vertically integrated pilot training pathway from trial introductory flights through Recreational, Private, and Commercial Pilot Licences, plus post-licence ratings (Night VFR, Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating, Flight Instructor Rating, Aerobatic/Formation) and ground theory delivered in-house. It is also an RTO (No.22509) and CRICOS-registered provider (01933B), operating a Diploma of Aviation (CPL) at A$93,900 alongside a VET in Schools programme for Year 11-12 students and a Bachelor of Aviation pathway in partnership with Holmes Institute.

The technology base comprises a mixed training fleet of Cessna 152s, Cessna 172s, a Piper Cherokee PA28-180, and a twin-engine Cessna C310Q, supported by Moodle LMS, Flight Schedule Pro scheduling, and a Rezdy-powered online booking layer. Revenue is generated through per-course upfront licensing and pay-as-you-go training fees plus ancillary charter flights (passenger and freight across Victoria, South Australia, NSW, Tasmania, King and Flinders Islands) and scenic/joy flights over Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay. Customer segments span international students (China, India, Southeast Asia), domestic career pilots, school-aged VETiS cohorts in Victoria and Tasmania, tourism customers, and charter/freight clients. Operations are founder-owned with no disclosed external funding or institutional investment.

The go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer bookings through the website and phone/walk-in at the two airports, dedicated international recruitment with quarterly intakes, VET in Schools coordinator outreach to partner high schools, and a long-running Australian Air League partnership (since 1995) that feeds discounted cadet training into the commercial pipeline. Complementary services include on-site DAME aviation medicals through SAR Aviation Medicine and flight examiner services. The business is privately held, profitable in posture, and operates at a small headcount of 11-50 across both bases.

Name

Tristar Aviation

Legal name

Tristar Aviation Co. Pty Ltd

Website

https://tristaraviation.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tristar Aviation is an Australian CASA Part 142 flight school founded in 1993, delivering pilot training from trial flights through Commercial Pilot Licence, ratings, and a Bachelor pathway, operating from Moorabbin (Melbourne) and Launceston airports for domestic, international, and VET in Schools students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Training Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

On-Demand Scheduled Commuter (Part 135/Small Aircraft Scheduled) (THABACAN)

Keywords

• Pilot training
• Flight school services
• Commercial pilot licence
• Air charter services
• Aviation education

Headquarters

HQ city

Moorabbin

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commercial Pilot Licence Training: Full-time 48-week Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence) course priced at $93,900.00. Includes all theory, textbooks, uniforms, exam and flight test fees, navigation equipment, maps, and initial Navigation and CASA documents.
2. Private Pilot Licence Training: PPL training starting from $32,135.50 total (including RPL training), with pay-as-you-go payment options for individual lessons.
3. Recreational Pilot Licence Training: RPL training priced at $15,938 total based on minimum hours, with pay-as-you-go payment structure for individual lessons.
4. Trial Introductory Flights: 30-minute trial flights priced at $210.00 as entry point for prospective students to experience flight training.
5. Air Charter Services: Charter flights for passengers and freight from Moorabbin and Essendon airports to destinations across Victoria, South Australia, NSW, Tasmania, King Island and Flinders Island. Aircraft suitable for 1-9 passengers ranging from single to twin engine.
6. Scenic/Joy Flights: Scenic flights over Melbourne CBD, Port Phillip Bay, and coastline. Melbourne City Orbit from $350 for 1-2 passengers, Night Flight from $399 for up to 4 passengers.
7. Flight Instructor Rating: 6-week full-time flight instructor course priced at $24,500 including 35 hours dual, 2 hours FSTD, flight test, theory course, and certificate of completion.
8. International Student Programs: CRICOS registered programs for international students including Diploma of Aviation CPL and various packages for Indian and Asian cadet pilots. Course codes include 109199H.
9. VET in Schools Programs: Two-year VET in Schools program for Year 11-12 students in Victoria and Tasmania, priced at $11,950 per year (2026/2027). Counts towards TCE/ATAR.
10. Multi-Engine Instrument Rating: Multi Engine Instrument Rating training from $25,000 including GST, with optional Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Rating).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tristar Aviation is a CASA Part 142 certified flight school that delivers end-to-end pilot training — from 30-minute trial introductory flights through Recreational, Private, and Commercial Pilot Licence (Diploma of Aviation AVI50222, 48 weeks) programs — plus add-on ratings (Night VFR, Multi Engine Command Instrument Rating, Flight Instructor Rating, Aerobatic), ground theory, VET in Schools, and a Bachelor of Aviation partnership with Holmes Institute. The school also runs air charter (passenger and freight) and scenic/joy flights from bases at Melbourne Moorabbin and Launceston airports.

Product overview

Tristar Aviation operates as a CASA Part 142 certified flight school offering a comprehensive suite of aviation training and services from two Australian bases (Melbourne Moorabbin and Launceston). The core offering comprises pilot training programs spanning from introductory trial flights through to Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with Diploma of Aviation qualification, supported by in-house theory instruction. Add-on ratings and endorsements include Night VFR, Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating, Flight Instructor Rating, and Aerobatic/Formation Flying. The company extends its portfolio to VET in Schools programs for secondary students and a Bachelor of Aviation partnership with Holmes Institute. Complementary services include air charter operations, scenic flights, flight examiner services, and an aircraft fleet consisting of Cessna 152/172 models, Piper Cherokee, and twin-engine Cessna C310Q. The training ecosystem is supported by Moodle-based learning management and aviation medical services on-site.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trial Introductory Flight A 30-minute trial flying lesson where participants take control of the aircraft under instructor guidance to experience flight training before committing to a formal licence program. Available at both Moorabbin and Launceston locations.
• Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) First-stage pilot licence training allowing holders to fly within the training area or within 25 nautical miles of the home airport, with the ability to take passengers. Priced from $15,938 total based on minimum hours with pay-as-you-go options.
• Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Pilot licence enabling flights to destinations anywhere in Australia, with cost-sharing provisions for up to 6 passengers. Starting from $32,135.50 total including RPL training, with pay-as-you-go lesson options.
• Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) - Diploma of Aviation AVI50222 48-week full-time integrated commercial pilot licence course covering RPL, PPL, and CPL curriculum, providing the skills and qualifications to work as a commercial pilot. Priced at $93,900 including theory, textbooks, uniforms, exam and flight test fees, navigation equipment, maps, and initial CASA documents.
• Night VFR Rating Rating allowing pilots to depart before first light or arrive after last light in visual meteorological conditions, extending operational hours beyond daylight flying.
• Multi Engine Command Instrument Rating Instrument rating training in multi-engine aircraft such as the Cessna 310 or Beechcraft Baron, enabling pilots to fly in non-visual conditions including clouds and adverse weather. From $25,000 including GST, with optional Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Rating).
• Flight Instructor Rating CASA Part 61 Flight Instructor Rating course providing teaching privileges for RPL, PPL, and CPL under supervision. Approximately 6 weeks full-time duration, priced at $24,500 including 35 hours dual, 2 hours FSTD, flight test, theory course, and certificate of completion.
• Aerobatic & Formation Flying Aerobatic flight rating courses including unusual attitude recovery, spin training, and basic aerobatics covering loops, rolls, hammerheads, and spins conducted in the Cessna 152 Aerobat.
• Ground Theory Courses In-house theory courses covering RPLA, PPLA, IREX, NVFR, HPL and CPL-level subjects including Aerodynamics, Meteorology, Navigation, Human Factors, Air Law, Aircraft General Knowledge, and Performance Planning. Individual subjects from $595; full CPL subject package $5,805.
• Flight Examiner Services Flight examiner services for flight tests, proficiency checks, and flight reviews covering RPL, PPL, CPL, instructor ratings, and various endorsements, offered to external pilots in addition to Tristar's own students.
• Air Charter Local air charter for passengers and freight from Moorabbin Airport and Essendon Airport, serving Victoria, South Australia, NSW, Tasmania, King Island, and Flinders Island. Aircraft suitable for 1-9 passengers ranging from single to twin engine.
• Scenic Flights Scenic flights covering Melbourne city orbit, Port Phillip Bay, Southern coastline, and Twelve Apostles, including day and night flight options. Melbourne City Orbit from $350 for 1-2 passengers; night flights from $399 for up to 4 passengers.
• VET in Schools Programme Two-year Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) program for Year 11 and 12 students in Victoria and Tasmania, leading to partial Diploma of Aviation with 390 hours counting toward TCE Participation and Achievement Standard. Priced at $11,950 per year (2026/2027).
• Bachelor of Aviation (Flight) - Holmes Institute Partnership Three-year Bachelor of Aviation (Flight) degree offered in partnership with Holmes Institute, combining business management, flight theory, practical training up to multi-engine instrument flight, and optionally ATPL theory subjects. VET in Schools graduates may receive Recognition of Prior Learning.
• First Solo Flight Course (Starter Package) Intensive course designed to develop skills to first solo flight standard, available as 3 weeks full-time or 3 months part-time, including 16 hours of flight training in Cessna 152. Priced at $7,360.
• International Student Training Programs CRICOS-registered pilot training programs for international students with course start dates in February, May, August, and November 2026, including the Diploma of Aviation CPL and Instrument Rating courses and specialized packages for Indian and Asian cadet pilots.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of clients have successfully achieved their aviation goals through Tristar's training
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Australian Air LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Since 1995, Tristar Aviation owners Geoff and Adrianne Fleming have provided significantly reduced flying training costs to Australian Air League cadets. The Air League is a youth organization for girls and boys aged 8+ encouraging interest in aviation careers. Many cadets trained through this program have gone on to careers in ATC, RAAF, Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Management, and Police Air Wing.
• Holmes InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTristar Aviation partners with the Holmes Institute to deliver the Bachelor of Aviation (Flight) - a three-year course combining business management, flight theory, and practical training up to multi-engine instrument flight. Graduates of Tristar's VET in Schools programme may receive Recognition of Prior Learning when enrolling. Holmes Institute website: aviation.holmes.edu.au
• SAR Aviation MedicinesupportingTechnology or IntegrationDr Sean Runacres DAME (Designated Aviation Medical Examiner) provides aviation medicals on-site at Tristar Aviation Moorabbin location between 8:30am and 3:30pm Tuesday to Friday. SAR Aviation Medicine sponsors Tristar's live ATC radio service. Website: www.saraviationmedicine.com.au

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TristarAviationCo
• Xx.com/tristaraviation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tristar-aviation-company-pty-ltd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Tristar Aviation