West flight Aachen

What West flight Aachen does

Westflug Flight Training GmbH & Co. KG (formerly Westflug Aachen) is a private, LBA-approved aviation training organization operating from Merzbrück airfield (EDKA) in Würselen near Aachen, Germany. Founded in 1963 and one of Germany's earliest flying schools, the company delivers a modular pilot licensing pathway from LAPL(A) and PPL(A) through CPL(A) to ATPL(A), supplemented by ratings such as instrument flight authorization (CB-IR), night flight qualification, radio communication certificates, and flight instructor ratings (FI-A/CRI-A). Its team includes a Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor, multiple flight examiners, and approximately 15 flight instructors. The fleet of 14+ aircraft spans Cirrus SR-series, Piper PA-28, Diamond DA-series, Pipistrel Velis Electro (electric), and an Extra 330 LX, supported by an LBA-certified FNPT II simulator from Elite Simulation Solution.

The company's revenue mix combines long-cycle professional training services with shorter-cycle ancillary revenues: aircraft charter, scenic flights over Aachen, the Eifel and Rursee, trial flights, and structured experience days. Differentiators include Authorized Cirrus Training Center status (Cirrus Embark and Cirrus One management), Germany's first all-electric training fleet using Pipistrel Velis Electro aircraft, and a tri-border (Germany/Netherlands/Belgium) catchment. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the westflug.de website (German and English), phone, email, on-site experience days, and an e-commerce shop for paid scenic and trial flights.

Following an April 2023 change of ownership, the company was rebranded Westflug Flight Training under co-managing directors Michael Bösing and Diego Corli, with operational reinvestment evident in fleet expansion, the new simulator, and refreshed digital infrastructure. The company remains privately held with no disclosed external funding.

Name

West flight Aachen

Legal name

Westflug Flight Training GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://westflug.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Westflug Flight Training is an LBA-approved private flight school at Merzbrück airfield near Aachen, Germany, offering modular pilot licensing (LAPL to ATPL), Cirrus transition training, aircraft charter, and sightseeing flights to individual pilots and aviation enthusiasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Training / Aviation Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (48819)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Aviation Ground Support & Trip Services (Dispatch, Permits, Handling) (THABAFAK)

Keywords

• Flight training
• Pilot licensing
• Aircraft charter
• Sightseeing flights
• Aviation simulator training

Headquarters

HQ city

Würselen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pilot Training Services: Comprehensive flight training programs including LAPL(A), PPL(A), CPL(A), ATPL(A) theoretical and practical training, instrument ratings, night flight qualifications, flight instructor courses, and radio communication certificates
2. Aircraft Charter: Private charter flights for licensed pilots and passengers to destinations across Europe, with aircraft available for company transportation, fractional ownership, or at-cost arrangements
3. Sightseeing Flights: Pre-scheduled scenic flights over Aachen, Eifel, Rursee, and surrounding areas with durations from 15 to 60 minutes, priced per flight or per person
4. Trial/Experience Flights: Introductory flying experiences including trial flights (Schnupperflug) in 2-seater and 4-seater aircraft, and comprehensive experience days (Erlebnistag)
5. Simulator Training: FNPT II flight simulator training integrated into various training programs for cost-effective pilot instruction

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Westflug Flight Training operates an LBA-approved flight school (DE.ATO.212) delivering modular pilot training from Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) and Private Pilot Licence (PPL) through Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), plus authorisations (instrument rating, night flight, radio, instructor ratings), an Authorized Cirrus Training Center program, FNPT II simulator training, aircraft charter, sightseeing flights, and trial/experience flights. Core revenue derives from training services, aircraft charter hours, and per-seat/per-flight leisure flight experiences.

Product overview

Westflug Flight Training is a flight school offering a comprehensive portfolio of pilot training programs and aviation services based in Aachen-Merzbrück. The core offering includes modular pilot licensing pathways from LAPL/A and PPL/A through CPL to ATPL, complemented by specialized authorizations (instrument rating, night flight, radio communications, flight instructor ratings). As an Authorized Cirrus Training Center, they provide Cirrus-specific training programs including Embark and aircraft management services. Their fleet includes Cirrus, Piper, Diamond, Pipistrel (including Germany's first electric training aircraft), and Extra aircraft, supported by a certified FNPT II flight simulator. Beyond training, they offer aircraft charter, sightseeing flights, experience days, and trial flights to the public.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Private Pilot Licence Training (LAPL(A) & PPL(A)) Modular EASA flight training programs delivering the LAPL(A) or PPL(A), including theoretical knowledge (classroom or distance learning) and practical flight instruction on the school's mixed fleet. Targeted at aspiring private pilots with no prior licence who want to fly recreationally.
• Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Training Professional pilot training program qualifying holders to act as pilot-in-command for compensation or hire. Includes 250 hours of theoretical instruction and at least 25 hours of flight training, delivered modularly. Aimed at individuals pursuing an aviation career.
• Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) Training Highest-tier EASA pilot licence program delivered via a modular training pathway, qualifying graduates to serve as airline captains on commercial aircraft. Targeted at career pilots progressing from CPL toward airline employment.
• Cirrus Training Center (Embark & Cirrus One) Manufacturer-authorised type-specific transition training (Cirrus Embark) and concierge aircraft management (Cirrus One) for owners of Cirrus SR Series and Vision Jet aircraft. Targeted at existing and prospective Cirrus aircraft owners in the Aachen border triangle region.
• Aircraft Charter Private charter flight services for licensed (HYOL) pilots and their passengers, offering flexible booking of well-maintained aircraft from the Westflug fleet (Cirrus, Piper, Diamond) for European destinations, sightseeing routes, or pilot skill maintenance. Targeted at licensed pilots and business/corporate travellers.
• Sightseeing / Round Flights Scenic round-trip flights of 15–60 minutes over Aachen, the Eifel, Rursee and surrounding landmarks (e.g. Aachen Cathedral, Jülich open-cast mine, Cologne Cathedral as a 60-minute option), priced per flight (€75–€399) or per person for up to three passengers. Aimed at tourists, gift purchasers and aviation-curious consumers.
• Experience Day (Erlebnistag) Approximately three-hour experience package including presentations on flying, cockpit instruction, and a 20-minute sightseeing flight with the opportunity to control the aircraft under instructor supervision. Priced at €299 per person. Functions both as a standalone gift/leisure product and a lead-generation event for the school's training programmes.
• Trial Flights (Schnupperflug) Introductory flying experiences in 2-seater (€149 per person) or 4-seater (€189 per person, one accompanying person permitted) aircraft, lasting approximately 20 minutes with the opportunity to control the aircraft under instructor supervision. Aimed at aviation-curious consumers and prospective training students.
• Competency-Based Instrument Rating (CB-IR) EASA Competency-Based Instrument Rating authorising cross-country flights under IFR, including departures and approaches down to 200 ft decision height without outward visibility. Delivered with 40 hours of IFR flight instruction, partly on the FNPT II simulator. Targeted at licensed pilots seeking IFR privileges.
• Night Flight Qualification (NFQ) Authorisation required to fly later than 30 minutes after sunset, comprising theoretical and practical briefing on night procedures, airfield lighting, and night navigation. Targeted at licensed PPL/LAPL pilots extending their operating privileges.
• Radio Communication Courses (BZF/AZF) Ground training courses preparing students for the German aeronautical radio certificates BZF II, BZF I, BZF E, AZF, and AZF E — a regulatory prerequisite for operating aeronautical radio. Targeted at student and licensed pilots.
• Flight Instructor Rating (FI-A / CRI-A) Teaching authorisation programmes qualifying graduates as Flight Instructor (FI-A) — 125 hours of theory and 30 hours of flight training — or Class Rating Instructor (CRI-A) — 25 hours of theory and 5–10 hours of flight instruction. Targeted at experienced pilots pursuing an aviation instructing career.

Quantifiable outcome

• First flight school in Germany to offer all-electric pilot training

Named customers4 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Cirrus Design CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationWestflug Flight Training is an Authorized Cirrus Training Center in the Aachen border triangle region. Offers Cirrus Embark program for pre-owned Cirrus aircraft owners with manufacturer-covered training costs. Provides Cirrus One concierge aircraft management service for SR Series and Vision Jet owners.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CAE Inc. Global aviation training leader with cadet pilot programs and ab initio academies across multiple geographies. Comparable as an EASA-aligned training provider, though operating at vastly larger scale with integrated career placement.
• European Flight Academy (Lufthansa): Lufthansa Group's integrated pilot training academy offering ab initio ATPL programs across multiple European bases. Comparable as a competing EASA-approved ATO with a full licensing pathway, but operates at significantly larger scale than Westflug.
• Lufthansa Aviation Training: Lufthansa Group's commercial aviation training subsidiary covering pilot, cabin crew, and maintenance training. Comparable as a broad incumbent in aviation professional training with regulatory and resources advantages over smaller ATOs.

Direct peers

• BAA Training: European aviation training academy (headquartered in Lithuania) offering integrated and modular ATPL programs with multiple bases. Comparable as a competing modular flight training provider targeting the European student market.
• FTEJerez: Spain-based flight training organization offering integrated and modular ATPL courses. Comparable as a competing European ATO targeting international students with a similar licensing pathway.
• Cockpit4u Aviation Training: German-based aviation training provider offering modular pilot licensing programs, type ratings, and instructor courses. Directly comparable as a Germany-based modular ATO competing for the same domestic and neighboring student pool.
• Intercockpit: German aviation training group operating modular pilot licensing programs. Directly comparable as a domestic competitor with similar modular PPL-to-ATPL structure and target student base.
• Bartolini Air: Polish flight school offering integrated ATPL programs with European bases. Comparable as a competing regional modular flight training provider targeting career-track students.

Regional players

• Hahn Air Flight Training: German aviation services group with pilot training operations at Hahn-Wehrleichen airfield. Comparable as a German regional ATO operating similar pilot licensing programs, though located in a different catchment region.

Emerging players

• Pilot360 (formerly Falcon Training Services): European modular ATPL training provider competing for career-track students. Comparable as a similar-scale modular flight school targeting the same European cadet market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Westflug
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/westflug

Compliance2 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 West flight Aachen