TFC
TFC European Airline Services is a family-owned, EASA-approved aviation training organisation in Essen, Germany, offering simulator-based type rating, MCC, instructor certification, screening preparation, and ATPL/MPL programs for individual pilots and commercial airlines.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersEssen, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What TFC does
TFC European Airline Services GmbH is a family-owned aviation training organisation headquartered in Essen, Germany, operating since 1982 under the Käufer family (third generation, currently led by CEO Christian Käufer since 2000). The company functions as an EASA Part FCL Approved Training Organisation (ATO DE.ATO.206) and operates its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC). It was the first flight school in Germany approved for Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) training and offers simulator-based airline training across multiple aircraft types.
The core technology asset is an LBA-certified simulator fleet that includes three Airbus A320-200 Full Flight Simulators (FFS), an A320-200 FTD1 and FNPT II MCC, Boeing 737-500 and 737-800 NG FNPT II MCC devices, a Boeing 777 NG FMST trainer, Cessna Citation CJ1+ FTD/FNPT II MCC, and Piper PA44 FNPT II simulators. The group operates three divisions: TFC Flight Training (ATPL/MPL cadet programs via tfc.aero), TFC EAS (Type Rating, MCC, TRI/SFI/MCCI instructor certification, Jet Orientation, and Screening Preparation), and TFC Training & Development GmbH (recreational Fun-Flights and team events), supported by an on-site KALUFAKTUR café at the aviation campus.
Revenue is generated primarily through course fees for EASA-compliant type ratings (initial issuance, renewal, revalidation, Cross Crew Qualification), instructor certification programs, MCC courses (scheduled bi-weekly), screening preparation packages (from €250/hour for FTD/FNPT, €749 for an FFS package, plus €300 interview coaching), and jet orientation training. Distribution is direct: website-based inquiry enrollment, trade show presence (AERO Friedrichshafen, Pilot EXPO Berlin), on-campus info days and Pilot Career Talks, and email inquiry channels. The company is privately held with no identified external investors and serves both individual professional pilots and commercial airline customers primarily within Germany and Europe.
TFC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TFC
- Legal name
- TFC European Airline Services GmbH
- Website
- https://tfc-kaeufer.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- TFC European Airline Services is a family-owned, EASA-approved aviation training organisation in Essen, Germany, offering simulator-based type rating, MCC, instructor certification, screening preparation, and ATPL/MPL programs for individual pilots and commercial airlines.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TFC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aviation Training Services
- NAICS
- Flight Training (611512), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Regulatory, Compliance & Type Training (FAA/EASA/ICAO, Part 147/145) (EDAOAFAN)
Keywords
Where TFC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Essen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
TFC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Type Rating Training: EASA Part FCL compliant type rating courses for Airbus A320, A330/A350, Boeing B737, B747, B777/B787, and Bombardier CL65 aircraft. Includes theoretical and practical training phases conducted in classrooms, computer-based training, and on FTDs/FNPTs/FFS. Revenue generated through course fees for initial issuance, renewal, revalidation, and Cross Crew Qualification (CCQ).
- Instructor Training (TRI/SFI/MCCI): Comprehensive instructor certification programs including Teaching & Learning modules, Technical Theoretical Knowledge, Flight Instruction Training, and Assessment of Competence. Revenue from multi-part instructor courses.
- Multi Crew Coordination (MCC): Bi-weekly MCC training courses bridging classical single/multi-engine aircraft training and commercial aircraft operations. Includes Crew Resource Management (CRM) training.
- Screening Preparation Services: Refresher training programs for airline screening assessments offered on Fixed Base Simulators (FTD/FNPT) and Full Flight Simulators (FFS). Includes optional interview training.
- Jet Orientation Training:
- Simulator Access/Rental: Hourly rental of certified simulators (FTD, FNPT, FFS) for pilot training and practice sessions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fixed Base Simulator - Hourly Access |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Full Flight Simulator Package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Interview Training Add-on |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
TFC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TFC European Airline Services operates as an EASA Approved Training Organisation providing advanced pilot training services on LBA-certified flight simulators. The core offering covers type rating initial courses, renewals and revalidations, Cross Crew Qualification (CCQ), Multi Crew Coordination (MCC), instructor certification (TRI/SFI/MCCI), screening preparation, and jet orientation training across Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and CRJ aircraft families, delivered to commercial pilots and airlines from the Essen/Mülheim training base.
Product overview
TFC (TFC European Airline Services) operates as an integrated aviation training campus offering three main divisions: TFC Flight Training (ATPL/MPL pilot education), TFC EAS (advanced airline training including Type Rating, MCC, Instructor Training, and Screening Preparation), and TFC Training & Development (recreational Fun-Flights). The company provides comprehensive simulator-based training using LBA-certified devices including Airbus A320 FFS/FTD/FNPT, Boeing B737/B777 FNPT/FMST, Cessna Citation CJ1+ FTD, and Piper PA44 FNPT. Training programs follow EASA Part FCL regulations with options for initial type ratings, renewals, revalidations, CCQ cross-qualification, and instructor certifications (TRI/SFI/MCCI). The portfolio also includes screening preparation packages ranging from Fixed Base Simulator sessions (from €250/hour) to Full Flight Simulator training with interview coaching.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KALUFAKTUR: In-house café and coffee specialty shop located on the TFC Aviation Campus, providing a meeting place for guests and staff
Products and services
- Type Rating Training EASA Part-FCL type rating initial courses on Airbus A320, Boeing B737, B777 and other aircraft types, delivered on LBA-certified Full Flight Simulators for commercial airline pilots.
- Type Rating Renewal and Revalidation Recurrent type rating renewal and revalidation courses required by EASA Part-FCL to maintain pilot type qualification on Airbus and Boeing aircraft families.
- Cross Crew Qualification (CCQ) Abbreviated cross crew qualification training enabling pilots already type-rated on one Airbus variant to qualify on a related Airbus family aircraft in reduced hours.
- Multi Crew Coordination (MCC) EASA Part-FCL Multi Crew Coordination course training pilot cockpit resource management, communication and multi-crew procedures in a jet-oriented simulator environment.
- Jet Orientation Training Jet orientation course introducing turboprop-rated or non-jet-experienced pilots to jet aircraft handling characteristics ahead of type rating on Airbus or Boeing platforms.
- Instructor Training (TRI / SFI / MCCI) EASA Part-FCL Type Rating Instructor (TRI), Synthetic Flight Instructor (SFI) and Multi Crew Cooperation Instructor (MCCI) certification courses for pilots qualifying to instruct on Airbus, Boeing and other aircraft types.
- Screening Preparation Airline assessment and screening interview preparation training (priced at €300) supporting aspiring pilots ahead of airline recruitment processes.
- Simulator Rental (FTD / FNPT / FFS) Hourly rental of LBA-certified Full Flight Simulators, Flight Training Devices and Flight & Navigation Procedure Trainers to airlines, business operators and individual pilots at €250 per hour for FTD/FNPT and bundled FFS packages starting at €749.
- Fun-Flights and Team Events Recreational flight experiences and team events operated through the TFC Training & Development division for corporate groups and private customers.
- ATPL / MPL Pilot Training Programs Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) and Multi-Pilot Licence (MPL) integrated training programmes delivered by the TFC Flight Training subsidiary, including EASA-approved MPL training pathway.
Quantifiable outcome
- Hundreds of pilots trained worldwide for airlines
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use TFC
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
TFC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
TFC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- TFC Flight TrainingcoreRelated company entity (www.tfc.aero) providing flight training services including ATPL/MPL programs for aspiring professional pilots. Part of the TFC group of companies.
- TFC Training & Development GmbHcoreRelated company entity (tfc-training-development.de) providing Fun-Flights and Team Events for aviation enthusiasts. Part of the TFC group.
- TFC Airlebnis GmbHminorRelated company entity providing aviation experience services. Part of the TFC ecosystem of companies.
- KALUFAKTUR (Kaffee- und Luftfahrtmanufaktur)minorOn-site café located at TFC Aviation Campus, providing coffee specialties and a pleasant atmosphere for guests, trainees, and instructors to meet and exchange ideas.
- AerologicminorPartnership for ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence) information days. Aerologic conducts ATPL info sessions at TFC facilities to inform aspiring pilots about pilot training pathways. Next event scheduled for 26.04.25.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
TFC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TFC social profiles
Digital presenceTFC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
TFC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TFC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
TFC subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
TFC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TFC 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 TFC
What does TFC do?
TFC European Airline Services operates as an EASA Approved Training Organisation providing advanced pilot training services on LBA-certified flight simulators. The core offering covers type rating initial courses, renewals and revalidations, Cross Crew Qualification (CCQ), Multi Crew Coordination (MCC), instructor certification (TRI/SFI/MCCI), screening preparation, and jet orientation training across Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and CRJ aircraft families, delivered to commercial pilots and airlines from the Essen/Mülheim training base.
Is TFC a public or private company?
TFC is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was TFC founded?
TFC was founded in 1982. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is TFC based?
TFC is headquartered in Essen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does TFC make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Type Rating Training is the primary driver. The others are instructor Training (TRI/SFI/MCCI), multi Crew Coordination (MCC), screening Preparation Services, jet Orientation Training and simulator Access/Rental.
Does TFC have an API?
No public API is recorded for TFC.
What industry is TFC in?
TFC's product category is Aviation Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABALAC, Aviation & Aerospace, with a secondary code of EDAOAFAN, Regulatory, Compliance & Type Training (FAA/EASA/ICAO, Part 147/145). Its NAICS code is 611512.