What SIMNEST Pilot Academy does

SIMNEST Pilot Academy is an EASA Approved Training Organization (ATO) headquartered in Budapest, Hungary, founded in 2018. It provides type rating and multi-crew cooperation training primarily to cadet pilots preparing for A320-family airline operations, with a course catalog anchored by the A320 Type Rating (€14,500), APS MCC (€5,200), and several shorter MCC/JOC offerings ranging from €1,400 to €3,400. The academy also serves airline recruitment screening and English-language exam preparation through ancillary partnerships.

The technical foundation is a fixed-base A320 FNPT II MCC flight simulator (FAA Level 4-5 equivalent) outfitted with original A320 OEM sidesticks and seats, replicating flight deck ergonomics for crew resource management and handling training. Training programs are EASA-approved and structured around nine pilot competencies, with curricula delivered by active airline captains. The academy also operates a secondary revenue line through simulator wet-lease at €160/hour to third-party operators.

The business model is predominantly B2C course-fee revenue from individual cadet pilots, with supplementary income from simulator wet-lease and accommodation services. Pricing is tiered (Standard, Plus, Extra) around the Type Rating product. Since 2018, the academy has issued more than 2,000 certificates, with graduates placed at airlines including Wizz Air, Ryanair, Smartlynx, Eurowings, LOT Polish Airlines, TAROM, Travel Service, Smartwings, and LEVEL. No revenue, headcount, or funding figures are disclosed.

Name

SIMNEST Pilot Academy

Legal name

Simnest Pilot Academy

Website

https://pilotacademy.simnest.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SIMNEST Pilot Academy is an EASA-approved flight training organization in Budapest, Hungary, delivering A320 type rating and APS MCC courses to cadet pilots preparing for airline operations, supported by an in-house FNPT II simulator and active airline captain instructors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Flight Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Regulatory, Compliance & Type Training (FAA/EASA/ICAO, Part 147/145) (EDAOAFAN)

Keywords

• Flight simulator training
• Airline pilot training
• A320 type rating
• Multi-crew cooperation
• Aviation training academy

Headquarters

HQ city

Budapest

HQ country

Hungary

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Flight Training Programs: Revenue from comprehensive flight training programs including A320 Type Rating, APS MCC, MCC/JOC Combined, JOC, MCC courses. Programs include online theory, procedure training, and simulator sessions in A320 based FNPT II MCC simulator.
2. Assessment and Interview Preparation: Revenue from Assessment Training and Airline Interview Preparation courses for pilots preparing for airline recruitment.
3. Simulator Wet Lease: Hourly rental of A320 based simulator with active airline Captain flight instructors at 160 EUR/hour.
4. Accommodation Services: On-site accommodation services in studios and apartments for training participants, with Plus and Extra tier pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SIMNEST Pilot Academy is a Budapest-based Approved Training Organization (ATO) that delivers EASA-compliant A320 flight simulator training for cadet and commercial pilots. Its core courses cover the Jet Orientation Course (JOC), Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC), APS MCC, and the full A320 Type Rating, delivered via an A320-based FNPT II MCC/FAA level 4-5 Full Flight Simulator with active airline Captain instructors. Supplementary paid offerings include Assessment Training, MCC Instructor Course, Airline Interview Preparation, Simulator Wet Lease, ICAO English Exam proctoring, and on-site accommodation.

Product overview

Simnest Pilot Academy is an Approved Training Organization (ATO) offering a comprehensive portfolio of aviation training programs for cadet-level pilots seeking careers in commercial aviation. The academy operates an A320-based FNPT II MCC Full Flight Simulator and provides training from foundational courses (JET Orientation Course, MCC) through advanced certification (APS MCC, A320 Type Rating). Training delivery combines online theoretical instruction via CBT, classroom sessions, and simulator-based practical training. The portfolio is structured as progressive training pathways: pilots begin with JOC for jet transition, advance to MCC for multi-crew operations, upgrade to APS MCC for competency-based Airline Pilot Standard certification, and optionally complete A320 Type Rating. Supplementary offerings include Airline Interview Preparation (partnered with SkyLaunch), Assessment Training, MCC Instructor certification, ICAO English Exam proctoring (via CentralExam), Simulator Wet Lease, and on-site accommodation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A320 Type Rating Full A320 type rating course combining Computer Based Training (CBT), procedure training on a Fixed Base A320 simulator, and Full Flight Simulator training, designed to help cadets obtain the A320 type rating license.
• APS MCC Course Airline Pilot Standard MCC course following EASA's competency-based framework, integrating JOC, MCC, and AAOST training with 40 hours of simulator practice and assessment against the 9 core competencies airlines look for.
• MCC/JOC Combined Course Combined Jet Orientation Course and Multi-Crew Cooperation course at a discounted price, preparing pilots transitioning from piston engine aircraft to jet airline operations and teaching multi-pilot IFR operations.
• JET Orientation Course (JOC) Foundation course preparing pilots transitioning from basic commercial training to jet airline operations, developing the mindset required to fly faster, larger, heavier, more complex aircraft.
• Multi-Crew Cooperation Course (MCC) Multi-Crew Cooperation course focused on acquiring and practicing fundamental knowledge for safe, effective multi-pilot IFR operations, with preparatory elements to ease subsequent A320 type rating.
• Recruitment Tryout (Airline Interview Preparation) Airline interview preparation course delivered in partnership with SkyLaunch, including interview coaching and simulator practice to maximize employment prospects at airline recruitment assessments.
• MCC Instructor Course Multi-Crew Cooperation Instructor course developing the skills required to instruct cadets in a multi-crew environment, offered in full (6 days / 25-hour base course) or abbreviated (3 days) format.
• Assessment Training Airline assessment preparation consisting of 1 hour briefing, 1 hour simulator session, and 30 minutes debriefing, identifying areas for improvement with action plan for success.
• Simulator Wet Lease Hourly rental (160 EUR/hour) of the A320-based APS-ready FNPT II MCC simulator with active airline Captain flight instructors, including original A320 sidesticks with working AP lock and OEM seats.
• ICAO English Exam ICAO English Language Proficiency test delivered through partner CentralExam, approved under PART-FCL and ICAO recommendations and accepted in all EASA member states and most non-EASA countries (up to Level 6).
• Accommodation Services On-site accommodation at the Budapest campus including studios (private bathroom, breakfast corner, sofa bed) and shared three- or four-room apartments in the same buildings as the simulators, available as Plus or Extra pricing tiers.
• A320 FNPT II MCC Simulator Facility A320-based APS-ready FNPT II MCC / FAA level 4-5 flight simulator with precisely tuned sidesticks, calibrated force-feedback rudder pedals, seat-shaker-integrated OEM seats, and a professionally developed flight model; the asset that anchors all of the academy's simulator-based training courses and the simulator wet-lease offering.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,000+ pilots have received certificates completing certified training programs since 2018
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• SkyLaunchminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSimnest Pilot Academy has contracted SkyLaunch for the completion of recruitment tryout training. SkyLaunch has more capacity with Airline Pilot Instructors and offers A320 and B737 instructors. Simnest remains involved and supervises the training provided by SkyLaunch.
• CentralExam - CTK ICAO Language ExamsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCentralExam is Simnest's partner for ICAO English Exam services. CentralExam is approved according to PART-FCL and ICAO recommendations, accepted in all EASA member states and most non-EASA countries. Can provide Level 6 certification. Located at Üllői út 206 Building B.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CAE: Global leader in civil aviation training with the largest simulator network worldwide, including A320 training devices across Europe. Overlaps with Simnest on A320 type rating and APS MCC and dwarfs it in scale, fleet breadth, and geographic reach.
• FlightSafety International: Long-established global pilot training organization with a large simulator fleet including A320 devices. Comparable on A320 type rating and MCC training but with significantly broader type coverage and enterprise airline contracts.
• European Flight Academy (Lufthansa Group): Airline-owned integrated pilot training organization feeding Lufthansa Group carriers. Comparable on A320 family training and APS MCC but with the advantages of airline-owned cadet pipeline and multi-base infrastructure.

Direct peers

• BAA Training: Lithuania-headquartered ATO operating multiple full-flight simulators including A320, providing integrated cadet-to-type-rating pathways across Europe. Directly competes with Simnest on A320 type rating, APS MCC, and cadet pilot training.
• Egnatia Aviation: Greece-based ATO offering ATPL, MCC, APS MCC and A320 type rating, operating Airbus-family simulators in the Mediterranean. Direct comparable on APS MCC and A320 type rating serving a similar international cadet pipeline.
• Skyborne Airline Academy: UK-based airline pilot training academy offering integrated ATPL and type rating pathways, with a relationship to airlines analogous to Simnest's European carrier base. Direct competitor for cadet-to-airline pilot flow.
• Flight Training Europe (FTE): Spain-based integrated ATPL and type rating academy with airline partnerships. Overlaps with Simnest on multi-crew cooperation, APS MCC, and A320 type rating for European cadets.
• Pan Am International Flight Academy: Pilot training academy offering type ratings including A320, APS MCC and cadet pathway programs. Comparable course mix and customer base to Simnest with broader US and international footprint.

Others

• TRU Simulation + Training (Textron): Simulator manufacturer and training services provider supplying full-flight simulators including A320 platforms. Relevant as a supplier/ecosystem counterpart whose devices underpin competitor ATOs comparable to Simnest.

Emerging players

• Avenger Flight Group: Emerging pilot training operator with A320 type rating and APS MCC offerings. Partial overlap with Simnest on the same courses and target customer base, typically at smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKIXlePsH7I-fYKoy_CAgTg
• Facebookfacebook.com/simnestpilotacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/simnestpilotacademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/simnestpilotacademy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 SIMNEST Pilot Academy