FFPLUM

What FFPLUM does

FFPLUM (Fédération Française d'ULM) is the official French national federation governing ultralight aviation, founded in 1981 and headquartered in Maisons-Alfort. It is the sole organization delegated by the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) to issue ULM pilot licenses and administer the national theory examination in France. The federation serves three primary constituencies: individual ULM pilots (multi-axes, paramoteurs, autogires, helicopters), certified instructors (IULM) who must complete periodic re-qualification stages, and a federated network of 200+ ULM clubs and training bases coordinated through regional committees.

The federation operates a centralized digital ecosystem built on Joomla 5.4.1 with Fabrik forms, hosted on OVH servers in the EU. Specialty platforms include BasULM, an interactive map and directory of ULM landing sites across France with KML/GPX export; ExamULM, the DGAC-authorized online theory examination registration system; Espace Licencié, a member portal for license and insurance management; and a federal e-commerce boutique. Safety infrastructure includes the Bulletin de Sécurité des Vols (BSV), a REX incident database, ECCAIRs reporting, and a network of CSV safety correspondents, indicating a structured but non-AI-driven safety management approach.

FFPLUM's revenue is diversified across five streams: annual pilot licenses bundled with insurance (through Air Courtage broker), one-time theory examination fees (60 EUR for two attempts), instructor and mechanic re-qualification stages (260-324 EUR plus 150-185 EUR control flights), federation merchandise and the federal pilot manual, and institutional support from the French Ministry of Sports and Agence Nationale du Sport. The market position is structurally protected by the DGAC delegation, the community network of certified clubs, and affiliations with FAI, the European Microlight Federation, and CNOSF.

Name

FFPLUM

Legal name

Fédération Française d'ULM

Website

https://ffplum.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FFPLUM is the DGAC-authorized French national federation governing ultralight aviation, founded 1981, serving pilots, instructors, and 200+ federated ULM clubs through licensing, insurance, exams, and digital platforms BasULM and ExamULM.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recreational Aviation Federation

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

akta.pro primary industry

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) (MPAKAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Ultralight aviation federation
• Pilot licensing services
• Aviation safety management
• Flight training certification
• Recreational aviation regulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Maisons-Alfort

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Annual Pilot Licenses: FFPLUM issues annual federal licenses to ULM pilots, which include insurance coverage. The license and insurance subscription is the primary recurring revenue stream from individual members.
2. Insurance Products: FFPLUM offers insurance products bundled with licenses and sold separately to pilots and clubs, through Air Courtage as a partner broker.
3. Theory Examination Fees: Candidates pay 60 euros to register for the ULM theory exam, which allows two attempts. FFPLUM is DGAC-authorized as a delegated examining body.
4. Federal E-commerce Boutique: Online store selling the federal pilot brevet manual, federal merchandise, and official documents to members and pilots.
5. Instructor and Mechanic Training Stages: FFPLUM coordinates instructor re-qualification and mechanic training courses, typically priced 260-324 euros per stage, through affiliated clubs and training centers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FFPLUM is France's national governing federation for ultralight motor aircraft (ULM), issuing annual pilot licenses bundled with insurance, administering DGAC-authorized theory examinations through its ExamULM platform, coordinating instructor re-qualification training stages, and operating a federated network of 200+ ULM clubs and certified instructors. It also publishes official manuals and runs national events such as Festi'ULM, Tour ULM, and Ultimate Air Challenge.

Product overview

FFPLUM operates a unified digital ecosystem comprising its main federation website (ffplum.fr) alongside specialized platforms: BasULM for locating and navigating ULM airfields across France, ExamULM for online registration to theoretical pilot exams, an Espace Licencié member portal for license and insurance management, and a Boutique e-commerce store for official federation publications including the federal pilot license manual. These interconnected services serve pilots, instructors, and clubs throughout the ULM community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BasULM: Interactive directory and map application for ULM bases and airfields in France
• ExamULM
• Festi'ULM
• Tour ULM Jeunes
• Pôle National Vol Hydro
• Pôle National Vol Montagne (PNVM)

Products and services

• Annual ULM Pilot License & Insurance Subscription Annual federal license issued by FFPLUM granting ULM pilots legal authorization to fly, with bundled third-party liability insurance arranged through partner broker Air Courtage. Required for all ULM pilots operating in France.
• ULM Theory Examination (ExamULM) DGAC-authorized common ULM theory examination delivered online via the ExamULM platform. Candidates self-register, pay 60 euros for two QCM attempts, and sit the exam at approved centers across France.
• ULM Instructor Re-qualification Training Stage (IULM Réactualisation) Periodic two-day re-qualification stage for certified ULM flight instructors (IULM) to maintain their instructor qualification, delivered through FFPLUM-affiliated clubs and training centers (e.g., France ULM at Meaux-Esbly, ULM Lozere at Mende, ULM Paris Veliplane). Priced 260-324 euros with optional control flight fees of 150-185 euros; eligible to CPF professional training funds.
• Manuel Fédéral du Brevet de Pilote ULM Official federal manual covering the ULM pilot license (brevet de pilote) curriculum, published by FFPLUM and sold through the federal e-commerce boutique as the primary study reference for theory exam candidates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Safety improvement through standardized training, REX database, and safety bulletins (Bulletin de Sécurité des Vols)

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFPLUM is agréée (officially authorized) by the DGAC as a delegated examining organization for ULM theory exams and as the national federation for ultralight aviation. This government authorization is the foundation of FFPLUM's regulatory mandate and legitimacy.
• Ministère des Sports et des Jeux Olympiques et ParalympiquescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe French Ministry of Sports provides official recognition and support to FFPLUM as the national governing body for ULM sport aviation. The ministry also promotes youth access to ULM through its 'guide pour un été sportif et responsable'.
• Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFPLUM is affiliated with the FAI, the world air sports federation, which sanctions international competitions and sets global standards for aeronautical sports including ULM/microlight.
• European Microlight Federation (EMF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFPLUM is a member of the European Microlight Federation, representing French ULM interests in the European microlight community, sharing best practices, and coordinating cross-border activities.
• Comité National Olympique et Sportif Français (CNOSF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFPLUM is affiliated with the CNOSF, the French National Olympic Committee, giving ULM sport official recognition within the broader French sporting movement.
• Aéro-Club de FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFPLUM works with the Aéro-Club de France, the historic French aeroclub federation, on shared aviation sport interests and regulatory alignment.
• Air CourtagecoreOthersAir Courtage is FFPLUM's insurance partner, providing specialized insurance products for ULM pilots and clubs, offered through the federal license subscription and the boutique.
• France Air ExpominorOthersFFPLUM participates in France Air Expo, France's largest general aviation trade show, as a partner to promote ULM aviation to industry professionals and the public.
• Mondial ULM de BloisflagshipOthersThe Mondiali ULM de Blois is a flagship ULM world event organized in France. FFPLUM partners with this event and promotes it through its channels. The 2025 edition is referenced as an upcoming federal event (mondialulm.fr/fr/).
• Musée de l'Air et de l'EspaceminorOthersFFPLUM has a partnership with the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace (Air and Space Museum) at Paris-Le Bourget, France's premier aviation museum, for educational and cultural collaboration.
• Ministère de la Transition écologique et de la cohésion des territoirescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Ecological Transition oversees aviation regulation and environmental policy affecting ULM operations, making this a key regulatory partnership for FFPLUM.
• Agence Nationale du SportminorOthersThe national sports agency provides potential funding and support for ULM as a sport, complementing the Ministry of Sports in developing the practice.
• Air CréationminorOthersAir Création is a French manufacturer of paramoteurs and ULM equipment. Listed as a partner on the FFPLUM website, likely collaborating on product standards, safety, and promotional activities.
• Humbert AviationminorOthersHumbert Aviation is a French ULM aircraft manufacturer. Listed as a partner, indicating commercial or promotional collaboration with FFPLUM.
• OVHcoreTechnology or IntegrationOVH provides web hosting services for FFPLUM's websites. OVH is identified as the hébergeur (hosting provider) in the Mentions Légales. OVH is a subsidiary of OVH Groupe SAS, headquartered in Roubaix, France.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• European Microlight Federation (EMF): The continental body of which FFPLUM is a member, coordinating cross-border microlight policy, competitions, and standards. EMF is a direct peer and umbrella counterpart at the European level, serving federations analogous to FFPLUM.
• Light Aircraft Association (LAA): UK membership association for amateur-built and light aircraft pilots, providing training, airworthiness certification, and club support. Operates a similar federated, membership-driven model to FFPLUM, focused on a niche subset of recreational aviation.
• Fédération Française de Vol à Voile (FFVV): French national federation for gliding, organised on the same federated model (loi 1901 association affiliated with FAI/CNOSF) as FFPLUM. Comparable in scope, member base structure, and regulatory positioning, but for a different aviation sport.
• Fédération Française de Parachutisme (FFP): The French national governing body for parachuting, recognised by the Ministry of Sports and CNOSF. Operates on the same federated licensing/club model as FFPLUM, making it a close structural peer in governance terms, even though the underlying activity differs.
• British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA): The UK national body responsible for microlight pilot licensing, training standards, and airworthiness, with a near-identical mandate to FFPLUM for ultralight aviation. BMAA is the closest international direct peer in terms of regulatory scope, member licensing, and club affiliation model.
• Deutscher Ultraleichtflugverband (DULV): Germany's national federation for ultralight aviation, providing pilot licensing, instructor certification, and club membership support. Operates the same combination of regulatory representation, training, and community services as FFPLUM, making it a strong direct international peer.

Regional players

• Sport Aircraft Association (Netherlands): The Dutch national federation for recreational and sport aviation, with a federated structure and licensing role analogous to FFPLUM. Comparable as a regional peer serving ultralight and light sport aviation in another European market.
• AOPA France: The French branch of the international Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, representing pilots and general aviation interests. Comparable to FFPLUM as a French aviation membership organisation, but focused on advocacy and ancillary services rather than licensing authority.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom: The UK's national air sports federation, affiliated with FAI and representing multiple aviation disciplines. Operates the same overarching role as FFPLUM at a broader, multi-discipline level, making it a comparable governance body.
• Fédération Française Aéronautique (FFA): The historic French aeroclub federation representing general aviation (licensed pilots, powered aircraft). It is the most direct national counterpart to FFPLUM, both operating as a federation issuing pilot credentials and overseeing affiliated clubs, but FFA covers the broader PPL/CPL universe while FFPLUM specialises in ULM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9_UKK6qShgC0wkMF9BeJbw
• Facebookfacebook.com/FFPLUM.officiel
• Instagraminstagram.com/ffplum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ffplum

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 FFPLUM