What Flying Academy does

Flying Academy is a privately held, multi-jurisdictional flight training organization headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, operating dual EASA Approved Training Organization (CZ/ATO-014) and FAA Part 141 & Part 61 certified programs across six training bases in the Czech Republic, Portugal, and the United States, supported by an admissions office in Gurugram, India. The company offers integrated, modular, and accelerated professional pilot training pathways from zero experience to frozen ATPL or FAA Commercial Pilot License, including the EASA Integrated ATPL (14 months), FAA 0-to-CPL (10-14 months), and the recently launched EASA ATPL with US Experience program. Supporting services include EASA/FAA/DGCA theoretical ground school delivered through a proprietary Learning Management System, license conversion programs (FAA↔EASA, DGCA), FNPT II simulator training, time building packages, discovery flights, and on-site Austro Control-authorized EASA theoretical examinations.

The company generates revenue through a diversified mix of large integrated program fees, modular course and rating sales, discounted aircraft rental blocks for time building (25/50/100 hour packages), subscription-based question bank access, per-flight discovery flight pricing ($289-$379), EASA exam administration fees, and B2B services including commission-based live broadcast ground school for partner ATOs and DTOs, LMS platform licensing, and consulting for new ATO setups (e.g., Maldives). Customer segments span aspiring professional pilots as the primary cohort, cabin crew and airline staff transitioning to pilot careers, Indian DGCA-bound students, aviation enthusiasts purchasing discovery flights, and B2B aviation training organizations. Distribution combines a global direct sales force of Flight Training Consultants, a self-serve e-commerce platform, dedicated airline staff channels, and ATO/DTO partner channels, with airline cadet pipelines to Ryanair (flagship) and Frontier Airlines providing graduate placement pathways.

Flying Academy's fleet of approximately 42 aircraft (primarily Cessna 152, Cessna 172 variants, Piper Warrior, Piper Arrow, and Piper Seminole), in-house Part-145 maintenance organization, and 40+ year operating history underpin a competitive position grounded in regulatory licensing, multi-base geographic reach, and an international student community spanning 120+ nationalities. The Březí Airport acquisition (2018) and Portimão base expansion (2024) extend physical capacity, while the proprietary LMS with a 30,000+ question bank and a 91% pass rate across 14 modules on the ATO Training Dashboard indicate meaningful content and operational infrastructure investment.

Name

Flying Academy

Legal name

Flying Academy

Website

https://flyingacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Flying Academy is a Prague-headquartered, privately held flight training organization operating dual EASA and FAA certified programs across six bases in the Czech Republic, Portugal, and the United States, serving aspiring professional pilots with integrated, modular, and accelerated pathways from zero experience to ATPL or CPL.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Training

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Pilot training programs
• Flight school
• Aviation training
• EASA ATPL training
• FAA flight training

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Pilot Training Programs: Full-fee professional programs including EASA Integrated ATPL, FAA 0-to-CPL, and modular programs. Revenue collected in installments per training phase via bank transfer, card, or cash.
2. Individual Courses and Ratings: Sale of individual courses such as PPL, IR, CPL, MEP, Flight Instructor, Night Rating, RTR, and UPRT as standalone purchases through the eshop or direct enrollment.
3. Online / Distance Learning: Live broadcast virtual classroom ground school courses for EASA and FAA theoretical knowledge, accessible remotely from anywhere. Includes question bank subscriptions and mock exams.
4. Time Building Packages: Discounted block-hour aircraft rental packages (25/50/100 hours) for pilots to build required flight hours. Priced per aircraft type with volume discounts. Some packages include free accommodation.
5. Discovery Flights: Introductory flight experiences sold at fixed per-flight prices, ranging from $289 to $379 depending on aircraft type and location (EU vs USA).
6. EASA Exam Administration: Fees charged for administering EASA theoretical exams (PPL, IR/CPL, ATPL) at Flying Academy's on-site Austro Control-authorized test center. Fees: 675 CZK (PPL), 1,650 CZK (IR/CPL), 2,150 CZK (ATPL).
7. B2B / ATO Services: Commission-based live broadcast ground school for partner ATOs/DTOs; LMS platform licensing; ATO/DTO consultation, management and compliance services; maintenance services.
8. Accommodation Services: Assisted housing services for international students near training bases, offered as part of comprehensive program packages or as standalone assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Flying Academy is a regulated flight training organization that sells integrated and modular pilot training programs under EASA, FAA, and DGCA frameworks, ranging from Private Pilot Licenses through Airline Transport Pilot Licenses, including individual ratings (instrument, multi-engine, night, instructor), time-building hours, type/conversion courses, and simulator-based procedural training. It also licenses its LMS/AODT platform and provides standardized training support to third-party ATOs and DTOs as a B2B offering.

Product overview

Flying Academy is a global flight training provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of pilot training programs under EASA, FAA, and DGCA regulations. The core offering consists of integrated programs (EASA Integrated ATPL, FAA 0-CPL) that take students from zero experience to professional pilot licenses, modular programs allowing step-by-step completion of individual ratings (PPL, IR, MEP, CPL, Flight Instructor), and accelerated fast-track options. Supporting services include online theoretical courses via a proprietary Learning Management System, FNPT II flight simulator training, license conversion programs, time building packages, discovery flights, and dedicated exam centers. The academy also provides B2B solutions and ATO/DTO support services for aviation training organizations, along with accommodation and financing assistance across its 7 global training locations in Europe, USA, and India.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Flying Academy USA: US-based flight training operations in Miami, Florida and Los Angeles, California
• FA Insider
• MyFBO
• FlyExams

Products and services

• EASA Integrated ATPL End-to-end integrated airline transport pilot license program under the EASA framework, covering ground school, simulator, and flight training to deliver a frozen ATPL, targeted at ab-initio students aiming for European airline careers.
• EASA ATPL in USA (Fast-Track) Fast-track EASA ATPL delivered partly from U.S. bases to leverage lower-cost time building, targeted at international and European students seeking the most affordable route to an EASA ATPL.
• EASA 0-ATPL Modular Modular pathway from zero experience to EASA ATPL via separately purchased modules, targeted at students who need schedule flexibility or want to spread costs over time.
• FAA 0 to CPL Full ab-initio FAA program that takes a student from zero experience to Commercial Pilot License, targeted at U.S.-based and international students pursuing FAA credentials.
• DGCA+ Program Specialized pathway built to support Indian DGCA licensing, combining Flying Academy's foreign flight training with documentation suited for DGCA conversion, targeted at Indian students pursuing Indian carrier careers.
• FAA/ICAO to EASA PPL Conversion Conversion course for holders of FAA or ICAO PPLs to obtain EASA PPL recognition, targeted at existing license holders relocating or applying to EASA-operator roles.
• FAA IFR to EASA IR Conversion Conversion course for FAA Instrument Rating holders to obtain EASA IR recognition, targeted at instrument-rated pilots seeking EASA mobility.
• PPL Transfer to Portugal Structured transfer service for PPL holders seeking Portuguese license recognition, targeted at pilots relocating to Portugal or to Portuguese-registered aircraft operations.
• Time Building in Europe Hour-building rental at European bases for licensed pilots accumulating hours toward the 1500-hour commercial threshold or other experience requirements.
• Time Building in USA Lower-cost hour-building rental at U.S. bases for licensed pilots progressing toward the 1500-hour commercial threshold, often used to accelerate hour accumulation in a competitive cost environment.
• EASA Professional Courses (PPL, IR, CPL, Night Rating, Multi-Engine Piston, FI, RTR, UPRT) Standalone EASA professional courses sold individually, including Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot License, Night Rating, Multi-Engine Piston class rating, Flight Instructor course, Radiotelephony Restricted, and Upset Prevention and Recovery Training, targeted at ab-initio students or license holders adding specific ratings.
• FAA Professional Courses (PPL, IR, CPL, MEL, CFI) Standalone FAA professional courses sold individually, including Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot License, Multi-Engine Land, and Certified Flight Instructor course, targeted at FAA-pathway students and existing pilots.
• DGCA Basic Course Foundational DGCA-aligned course for Indian students, targeted at those beginning a structured Indian-license pilot pathway.
• EASA Accelerated Programs Compressed-timeline EASA programs designed to deliver ratings faster than traditional pacing, targeted at motivated students with prior experience or accelerated learning profiles.
• FAA Accelerated Programs Compressed-timeline FAA programs for ratings delivered faster than traditional pacing, targeted at students seeking rapid FAA credentialing.
• Discovery Flight Short introductory flight experience for prospective students and aviation enthusiasts, intended as a low-commitment entry point into formal pilot training.
• Cabin Crew Pilot Training Program Structured pilot training program aimed at current or former cabin crew transitioning into cockpit roles, with content aligned to leverage their existing aviation familiarity.
• EASA Theoretical Examinations Administration of EASA theoretical knowledge examinations for external candidates, targeted at self-study students needing an approved exam venue.
• FNPT II Flight Simulator Training Procedural training on FNPT II flight simulators covering instrument and multi-crew procedures, sold as standalone simulator sessions and integrated into broader programs.
• Online Courses (eShop) Self-paced online courses and question databases sold via the company eShop, targeted at self-study students preparing for EASA or FAA theoretical exams.
• ATO & DTO Training Services Standardized training delivery and academic support contracted to third-party Approved Training Organizations and Declared Training Organizations, targeted at flight schools needing supplementary training capacity.
• B2B Solutions (LMS / AODT Licensing) Licensing of Flying Academy's proprietary Learning Management System and ATO Online Training Dashboard to partner training organizations, enabling those organizations to deliver standardized curricula with their own students.
• Accommodation Services Housing and accommodation services packaged with training programs for relocating students, sold alongside flight training at the company's bases.

Quantifiable outcome

• EASA Integrated ATPL completed in 14 months (zero to frozen ATPL)
• +5 more outcomes

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

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• RyanairflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlying Academy is a direct provider for the Ryanair Cadet Program. Qualifying graduates (EU passport holders, EASA CPL + Frozen ATPL, valid ME IR, Class 1 Medical, 70-100 PIC hours depending on training path, top performance during training) can submit requests for Ryanair assessment. This is a flagship pipeline partnership connecting graduates directly with a major European airline.
• CAE Oxford Aviation AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhen CAE Oxford Aviation Academy faced significant reduction in flight training capacity at their home base, Flying Academy received full batches of Oxford students at its European bases. Students continued without interruption, maintaining full syllabus alignment and completing their hours on schedule. Full student batch transfers were managed end-to-end with zero disruption to training timelines.
• Maldives Training Base (government/operator)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlying Academy was engaged to build a complete flight training operation in the Maldives from the ground up — covering site assessment, regulatory engagement, fleet procurement, instructor readiness, and LMS integration. A team was deployed on the ground, local instructors were standardized to international levels, and the organization was supported through its authority approval process, leaving behind a fully self-sufficient, operational ATO.
• Frontier AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlying Academy offers the FAA 0-1500 Airline Cadet Partnership program with Frontier Airlines. Graduates with US residence can apply for the program, which provides a structured pathway from training completion to airline cadet employment.
• Austro ControlcoreTechnology or IntegrationFlying Academy is the only professional flight training center in the Czech Republic authorized to administer EASA theoretical exams (PPL, CPL, and ATPL levels) on its premises under the Austro Control authority. Exams are conducted 2-3 times per month.
• Silver ExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSilver Express is the school entity that issues the I-20 form for M-1 student visa applications in the USA. Flying Academy works with Silver Express to facilitate visa documentation for international students attending US training bases.
• MTO.Aero (Maintenance Services)coreTechnology or IntegrationMTO.Aero provides certified aircraft maintenance support through Flying Academy's dedicated maintenance network. Keeps fleet airworthy, compliant, and ready to fly. Part-145 maintenance organization handles inspection, replacement, repair, AD/SB/SL/SEL compliance.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Skyborne Airline Academy: UK-based EASA ATO offering integrated ATPL with major airline partnerships (notably easyJet, Wizz Air). Comparable zero-to-frozen-ATPL integrated program and European airline-cadet pipeline targeting the same aspiring-pilot customer as Flying Academy.
• ATP Flight School: Large US-based Part 141 flight school focused on zero-to-airline pilot training with airline partnerships. Most direct analogue to Flying Academy's FAA 0-CPL and 0-1500 programs, sharing the integrated airline cadet funnel model and US pricing.
• Epic Flight Academy: US Part 141 school in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, focused on international and domestic pilot training with M-1 visa support. Comparable in serving international students at favorable-weather US bases and offering full pathway programs to professional licenses.
• BAA Training: Lithuania-based EASA ATO offering integrated ATPL, modular, and type-rating programs. Closest European regional competitor to Flying Academy, sharing EASA regulatory framework, multi-base European operations, and similar integrated ATPL positioning.

Broad incumbents

• FlightSafety International: Major pilot training provider offering type-rating, recurrent, and ab-initio programs. Comparable in training professional pilots to airline standards, though more concentrated in advanced/simulator-based training rather than zero-to-ATL pathways.
• CAE: Global leader in civil aviation training, operating the world's largest network of full-flight simulators and a significant cadet-to-airline program (CAE Oxford Aviation Academy). Directly comparable in serving aspiring professional pilots across integrated ATPL programs, with substantially greater scale, defense-aviation cross-subsidies, and global base footprint.
• L3Harris Commercial Aviation (L3 Airline Academy): Diversified defense/aerospace company with commercial pilot training arm offering integrated ATPL and cadet programs. Comparable in regulatory-certified integrated training and airline partnerships, with greater corporate resources and broader portfolio.

Regional players

• Flight Training Europe (FTEJerez): Spain-based integrated ATPL flight school operating under EASA regulatory framework. Comparable integrated ATPL duration and curriculum, with overlapping European customer segment and similar weather-advantage Iberian location.
• Aviator Flight Training: European ATO with integrated ATPL offerings focused on Ryanair recruitment. Comparable to Flying Academy in targeting Ryanair cadet pipelines and integrated EASA ATPL delivery; smaller scale but direct overlap on flagship customer segment.

Others

• Sim-Industries (Simtech): Specialized flight-simulator training technology supplier. Comparable as a complementary B2B platform serving flight schools — relevant peer for the simulator/LMS infrastructure underpinning Flying Academy's training delivery, though not a direct pilot-school competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/flyingacademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/FlyingAcademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flying-academy

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 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 Flying Academy