Fédération Française de Vol en Planeur

What Fédération Française de Vol en Planeur does

The Fédération Française de Vol en Planeur (FFVP) is a French non-profit association (association loi 1901), founded on 12 January 1966 and recognized as an organization of public utility, that serves as the sole national federation for glider flight in France. It operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports and acts as the direct interlocutor with the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) for civil aviation matters. Through a national network of 162 affiliated gliding clubs, FFVP governs the licensing, training, insurance, competition organization, and airworthiness oversight for the sport, supported by ~950 volunteer instructors and 8 permanent headquarters staff. Its members include 12,740 licensed pilots, 2,309 young members aged 12-25, and 2,166 female licensees, with a national fleet of 1,954 gliders, 113 motor gliders, 52 winches, and 236 towplanes that log 187,281 flight hours and 3,798,184 km per year.

FFVP's core technology stack combines traditional soaring (thermals, ridge lift, wave lift) with a digital infrastructure that includes the ePlaneur virtual gliding platform (built on Condor simulation software and integrated with FFVP's licensing), the SpiralBox federal digital library, eFormations/eBriefings online training, WeGlide flight tracking, and the G-NAV CAMO airworthiness management system servicing 1,700+ aircraft. Two specialized programs anchor inclusive and competition reach: Handiplaneur (adapted gliders with 'malonnier' hand controls for pilots with disabilities) and Voltige (glider aerobatics). The federation's business model is a multi-tier subscription model anchored on six license types (Découverte, Tempo, Passion, DUO, ASSO, ePlaneur) priced from €10 (ePlaneur annual) to standard annual pilot licenses, supplemented by training fees (SPL theory pack €100, exam €60 for non-members), insurance commissions through Air Assurances (broking aircraft, hangar, and RC coverage), merchandise/online boutique sales, scholarships of up to €1,500 for pilots under 25, and institutional support via the Agence Nationale du Sport and DGAC.

FFVP's GTM is community-led and club-distributed: discovery flights (€70-€140) and pilot training (€25-€45 per flight hour, €1,000-€1,500 SPL training budget) flow through 162 member clubs acting as physical onboarding and sales points, while digital acquisition is layered on top via social channels, Planeur Info quarterly magazine on Calameo, webinars, BIA school partnerships with Education Nationale, pilot testimonials (Paroles de pilote), and the 'Ça plane pour elles' women's introduction day. Sponsorship revenue comes from premium corporate partners (Air Caraïbes, French bee, Groupe Dubreuil, Air Assurances, Jonker Sailplanes) and the federation operates two core operating subsidiaries: Centre National de Vol en Planeur (CNVP, the ATO-certified national training center at Château-Arnoux Saint-Auban) and G-NAV (the CAMO-certified airworthiness body). France ranks 2nd globally in gliding with 32 FAI world championship titles.

Name

Fédération Française de Vol en Planeur

Legal name

Fédération Française de Vol en Planeur

Website

https://ffvp.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Fédération Française de Vol en Planeur is the French national sports federation for gliding, governing 162 affiliated clubs and ~12,740 licensed pilots under oversight of the Ministry of Sports and the DGAC. It provides pilot licensing, training, insurance, competitions, and airworthiness management nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Federation Services

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD)

Keywords

• Gliding federation services
• Pilot license training
• Soaring sports membership
• Aviation club network
• Aeronautical insurance brokerage

Headquarters

HQ city

Château-Arnoux Saint-Auban

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Club membership and federation licenses: FFVP generates revenue through various license types (Licence Découverte, Licence Tempo, Licence Passion, Licence DUO, Licence ASSO, Licence ePlaneur) sold to pilots and members through affiliated clubs
2. Training and eLearning: Online theoretical training (SPL Pack), maintenance packs, BIA e-learning, and examination fees for pilot and mechanic certifications
3. Insurance services: Through Air Assurances broker (registered with ORIAS N°18 005 922), FFVP offers aircraft insurance, ground handling insurance, hangar insurance, and RC liability coverage to clubs and pilots
4. ePlaneur license: Virtual gliding simulation license at 10 euros per year enabling participation in French ePlaneur championships and virtual events
5. Merchandise and official wear: Official uniforms, polos, shirts, t-shirts, jackets for men and women, accessories including bags, key chains, books, and office/school supplies sold through the FFVP online boutique

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FFVP is the French national federation for gliding, providing annual pilot licenses, SPL pilot training, BIA youth aviation diplomas, federation-organized insurance, and competition organization through a network of 162 affiliated clubs. The federation also operates the CNVP national training center, the G-NAV airworthiness management organization, the Handiplaneur accessibility program, and the ePlaneur virtual competition platform.

Product overview

The Fédération Française de Vol en Planeur is a national sports federation managing a network of 162 gliding clubs across France. The core offering centers on pilot licensing (SPL) through progressive training at clubs, supported by multiple membership tiers (Découverte, Tempo, PASSION, DUO, ASSO, ePlaneur) addressing different engagement levels from discovery to full competition. The federation provides digital training infrastructure including eFormations, eBriefings, and webinars, plus specialized programs for youth (BIA), aerobatics (Voltige), and disability access (Handiplaneur). Service offerings include insurance products, competition organization, the CNVP national training center, G-NAV airworthiness management, REX safety reporting, grant programs for young pilots, and the Planeur Info quarterly magazine. The ePlaneur initiative extends to virtual competition using Condor simulation software.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ePlaneur: Virtual gliding simulation using Condor software, enabling pilots to learn and compete virtually from home.
• Handiplaneur

Products and services

• Licence Découverte
• Licence Tempo
• Licence Passion
• Licence DUO
• Licence ASSO
• Licence ePlaneur
• Formation SPL - Licence de Pilote de Planeur
• Brevet d'Initiation Aéronautique (BIA)
• ePlaneur (Condor Simulation Program)
• Voltige (Aerobatics)
• Handiplaneur
• Assurances FFVP
• Centre National de Vol en Planeur (CNVP)
• G-NAV (Groupement pour la Navigabilité)
• Bourses FFVP (Grants)
• REX (Retour d'Expérience)

Quantifiable outcome

• 32 world championship titles earned by French pilots
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

18 partnerships are on record, tiered premium partner, official supplier, official supporter, partner, institutional partner, governing body, supporter, platform partner, training partner and anti-violence partner.

• Air Caraïbespremium partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench airline company specializing in routes between mainland France and the Caribbean (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyane, Saint-Martin), plus transatlantic destinations. Founded in 2000, owned by Groupe Dubreuil (a gliding family). Premium partner of the French Gliding National Team.
• French beepremium partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst French low-cost long-haul airline, founded 2016 as French Blue, renamed French Bee in 2018. Routes to North America, Indian Ocean and French Polynesia from Paris-Orly. Owned by Groupe Dubreuil. Premium sponsor of French Gliding National Team.
• Groupe Dubreuilpremium partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCentury-old Vendée family group, major industrial and commercial player in distribution and air transport with Air Caraïbes and French bee airlines. Carried by entrepreneurship and innovation culture with thousands of employees. Premium partner of the French Gliding National Team.
• Air Assurances (Air Courtage)premium partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench family-owned, 100% independent company serving the entire aviation ecosystem (pilots, owners, businesses, clubs, schools, federations) for tailored insurance solutions. Registered with ORIAS N°18 005 922. Premium partner of French National Teams.
• Jonker Sailplanesofficial supplierOthersSouth African technological reference in modern gliding, designing exceptional performance machines. Official glider supplier for French National Teams.
• Absogerofficial supporterOthersPerformance in controlled nitrogen atmosphere production and management. Official supporter of French National Teams.
• NaviterpartnerTechnology or Integration
• WeGlidepartnerTechnology or IntegrationComprehensive flight sharing platform used by FFVP for tracking, badges and records. Integration with FFVP competition and flight logging systems.
• French Air and Space Force (Armée de l'air et de l'Espace)institutional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Air Force integrating glider training into pilot training programs. Cooperation through the BIA program between the Air Force, aeronautical federations and DGAC.
• French Ministry of Sportsinstitutional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerOversight, support and tutelage of French National Teams and elite athletes. Through Agence Nationale du Sport (ANS).
• Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC)institutional partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry of Ecology responsible for civil aviation oversight, ensuring safety, security, air traffic control and regulatory framework for gliding.
• FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale)governing bodyOthersWorld air sports federation governing gliding competitions, world championships, badges and records. FFVP is member representing France.
• European Gliding Union (EGU)governing bodyOthersEuropean gliding federation coordinating competitions and gliding activities across Europe.
• Chacqueneau DéveloppementsupporterOthersSupporter of French National Teams and young athletes.
• Condor (Soaring Software)platform partnerTechnology or IntegrationGliding flight simulation software used for ePlaneur virtual competitions. FFVP license provides 20% discount on Condor purchase. Condor 2 licenses valid in Condor 3.
• AGEFOS PMEtraining partnerOthersFFVP's partner for association leaders' training, covering certain training costs within the training plan framework.
• UCPApartnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNon-profit association recognized for social utility, offering gliding experiences among its sports portfolio. 12,500 employees enabling mass access to sporting experiences.
• Colosse aux pieds d'argileanti-violence partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation for prevention and awareness of sexual violence and hazing in sports, providing victim support, psychological and legal assistance, and training for staff working with minors.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Fédération Française Aéronautique (FFA): The French national umbrella federation for all air sports (powered, gliding, parachuting, etc.). FFVP operates alongside FFA in the French ecosystem; comparable as a French-recognized aviation sport federation but broader in scope.
• Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI): The global governing body for air sports, of which FFVP is a member national federation. Directly comparable as the international counterpart that sets competition rules, world championships, and badges that FFVP's members compete under.
• European Gliding Union (EGU): The European regional federation coordinating gliding competitions across Europe, of which FFVP is a member. Operates at a higher geographic level but with parallel mission (competition coordination, regulatory advocacy).
• Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom: The UK national aero club, parent body of the BGA and other air sport associations. Comparable as a national umbrella federation, though its scope includes all air sports rather than only gliding.

Direct peers

• British Gliding Association (BGA): The UK national gliding federation with affiliated clubs, pilot licensing, instructor training, and competition organization. Directly comparable in mission, club-based operating model, and regulatory interface with the UK CAA.
• Deutsche Segelflugverband (DSV): The German national gliding federation, operating under the DAeC. Most direct international peer with comparable scale, club-based structure, training organization, and competitive performance — historically one of FFVP's chief rivals in world gliding rankings.
• Aero-Club de Suisse (AeCS): The Swiss national aero club covering general aviation including gliding. Comparable as a European national federation with similar club-based structure, training organization, and interface with civil aviation authorities.
• Soaring Society of America (SSA): The US national soaring association managing clubs, badges, contests, and pilot services. Direct international peer with similar federation structure, training programs, and competition organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FFVolenPlaneur
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ffvolenplaneur
• Facebookfacebook.com/ffvolenplaneur
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ffvp
• Instagraminstagram.com/ffvolenplaneur

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

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 Fédération Française de Vol en Planeur