TFC

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.

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

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

• Aviation training services
• Pilot type rating
• Flight simulation training
• Airline crew certification
• EASA Part FCL training

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Jet Orientation Training:
6. Simulator Access/Rental: Hourly rental of certified simulators (FTD, FNPT, FFS) for pilot training and practice sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TFC Flight TrainingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated 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 GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated company entity (tfc-training-development.de) providing Fun-Flights and Team Events for aviation enthusiasts. Part of the TFC group.
• TFC Airlebnis GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated company entity providing aviation experience services. Part of the TFC ecosystem of companies.
• KALUFAKTUR (Kaffee- und Luftfahrtmanufaktur)minorOthersOn-site café located at TFC Aviation Campus, providing coffee specialties and a pleasant atmosphere for guests, trainees, and instructors to meet and exchange ideas.
• AerologicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3w01Lr1ZOWaQrvYp_IX_2Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/tfckaeufer
• Instagraminstagram.com/tfc_flighttraining

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 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 TFC