Segelflugschule Oerlinghausen e.V.

What Segelflugschule Oerlinghausen e.V. does

Segelflugschule Oerlinghausen e.V. is a German nonprofit registered association (eingetragener Verein, registration VR 60747 at Registergericht Lemgo) founded in 1956, operating the self-claimed world's largest gliding school by number of glider launches from its base at the Oerlinghausen airfield (ICAO: EDLO) in Ostwestfalen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The school is officially recognized as a Sportschule des Landes NRW and Luftsportschule des Aeroclub NRW, and is run by a board led by 1. Vorsitzender Ralph Bürklin and Schulleiter Carsten Kopsieker, supported by at least six full-time flight instructors.

Its core products span three training streams — glider (Segelflug), power aircraft (Motorflug), and touring motor glider (Motorsegelflug/TMG) — built on a fleet of approximately 20 aircraft (gliders such as ASK 21, ASK 23, LS 4, Duo Discus XL, Arcus M; motor gliders Diamond HK36 Super Dimona and SF 25C Falke; motor aircraft Diamond DV 20 Katana, Robin DR 400, Piper PA 28) launched via three six-drum winches and aerotow. Supporting infrastructure includes a 16-room hotel in star-shaped pavilions, a restaurant seating 40 plus a 24-seat terrace, two seminar rooms, fitness and sauna facilities, and on-site camping. Operations extend seasonally to Caiolo airfield (Sondrio, Italy) for alpine gliding.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: annual basic membership fees of EUR 200 plus daily fees (capped at EUR 600), per-minute flight fees (EUR 1.00-1.30 for gliders, EUR 1.80-2.70 for motor aircraft), flat-rate TMG training packages at EUR 2,100-2,300 with a best-price guarantee, EUR 180 trial flight days (Schnuppertag), EUR 320-420 compact theory courses (with AIRCADEMY digital learning access), hotel accommodation at EUR 46-96/night, and seminar room rentals at EUR 250-300/day. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the school's website, social channels, and event-driven acquisition (trial days, mountain gliding camps), with the Aeroclub NRW relationship serving as a structural referral channel. The customer base consists primarily of individual recreational and licensed pilots, aviation enthusiasts taking trial flights, and licensed motor pilots seeking additional ratings — none of which represents a concentration risk.

Name

Segelflugschule Oerlinghausen e.V.

Legal name

Segelflugschule Oerlinghausen e.V.

Website

https://segelflugschule-oerlinghausen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

German nonprofit association operating the self-claimed world's largest gliding school since 1956, providing glider, power aircraft, and motor glider training from its Oerlinghausen airfield to recreational pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and licensed pilots seeking additional ratings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Glider flight training
• Pilot license training
• Motor aircraft training
• Mountain soaring operations
• Aviation theory courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Oerlinghausen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Gliding Training and Membership Fees: Annual basic fee of 200 EUR for gliding membership including extraordinary membership, administrative overhead, flight operations, and Quax-Fond (covers own-risk share for collision damage). Daily fee option at 60 EUR per flight operation day (capped at 600 EUR per year or 10 flight days). Revenue from theory courses (300 EUR), Sprechfunkunterricht, and examination fees.
2. Aircraft Usage Fees: Per-minute flight fees for various aircraft types. Gliders: ASK 21 (1.10 EUR/min), ASK 23 (1.00 EUR/min), LS 4 (1.00 EUR/min), Duo Discus (1.20 EUR/min), Arcus M (1.30 EUR/min). Motor aircraft: Diamond Katana (1.80 EUR/unit), Robin DR400 (2.20 EUR/unit), Piper PA28 (2.70 EUR/unit). Flight instructor fees at 0.40 EUR/unit.
3. Hotel and Catering Services: Hotel accommodation with 16 rooms in star-shaped pavilions. Room rates from 46-96 EUR per night depending on room type and length of stay. Breakfast buffet (11 EUR), lunch menu (12.50 EUR), dinner buffet (11.50 EUR). Restaurant capacity for 40 guests plus cafeteria terrace for 24. Fitness and sauna area available.
4. Seminar Room Rental: Two seminar rooms for external seminars and events. Seminarraum 1 (Briefing) with 20 seats at 250 EUR/day plus 80 EUR one-time technology fee. Seminarraum 2 (Academics) with 40 seats at 300 EUR/day plus 80 EUR technology fee. Includes catering options.
5. Motor Glider Training Package: Flat-rate package for TMG (Touring Motor Glider) training at 2,100 EUR (SF 25C Falke) or 2,300 EUR (Diamond HK36 Super Dimona). Includes training materials, all flight hours with instructor fees, landing fees, and annual motor glider basic fee. 'Best price guarantee' - customer pays the lower amount if actual costs are less.
6. Trial Flight (Schnuppertag): Trial gliding experience day at 180 EUR per person, including safety and weather briefing, aircraft instruction, winch launch with flight instructor, and included lunch at the restaurant.
7. Mountain Gliding (Alpine) Operations in Sondrio: Base fee for gliding in Sondrio: 400 EUR for school aircraft, 200 EUR for private aircraft. Plus per-minute flight fees, F-tow fees, landing fees, and Aero Club Sondrio daily fees. Hotel partnerships with various B&Bs and hotels in the Sondrio area.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Segelflugschule Oerlinghausen e.V. operates a multi-discipline pilot training school from its Oerlinghausen airfield (EDLO), offering glider pilot training (Segelflugausbildung), power aircraft training (Motorflugausbildung) and touring motor glider training (Motorsegelflugausbildung). The school supports these programs with a fleet of approximately 20 aircraft, three six-drum winches, full-time flight instructors, theory instruction (compact week-long courses and winter Saturday sessions), trial flights, mountain soaring operations in Sondrio (Italy), and on-site hotel, restaurant, and seminar room facilities.

Product overview

Segelflugschule Oerlinghausen e.V. operates as the world's largest glider flying school, offering a multi-module training platform centered on glider flight training (Segelflugausbildung), power aircraft training (Motorflugausbildung), and touring motor glider training (Motorsegelflugausbildung). The core offering includes three sequential glider training stages (beginner to license), complemented by advanced modules such as mountain soaring in Sondrio, Italy, aerobatics training, and various authorizations. Supporting services include a 16-room hotel with seminar facilities and a fleet of approximately 20 aircraft. Theory instruction uses AIRCADEMY and Lernomat 1000 learning software, with courses delivered as intensive week-long compact courses or weekly Saturday sessions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Segelflugausbildung (Glider Pilot Training) Complete glider pilot training program with a three-stage curriculum from first solo flight (A-Prüfung) through to license acquisition (B/C-Prüfung) and cross-country flying, with winch or aerotow launches. Designed for individual learners pursuing a glider pilot license at the Oerlinghausen airfield.
• Motorflugausbildung (Power Aircraft Training) Motor aircraft pilot training for LAPL(A) and PPL(A) licenses, including theory and practical instruction using Diamond DV 20 Katana, Robin DR 400, and Piper PA 28 Archer II aircraft under an EASA-compliant curriculum. Targeted at individuals seeking a powered flight license.
• Motorsegelflugausbildung (Touring Motor Glider Training) TMG (Touring Motor Glider) class rating extension for existing glider pilots, comprising a minimum of six flight hours including four instructor hours and a 150 km solo cross-country flight, with a flat-rate pricing option and best-price guarantee. Available on Scheibe SF 25C Falke or Diamond HK36 Super Dimona. Aimed at glider license holders adding a touring motor glider rating.
• Segelflug-Weiterbildung (Advanced Glider Training) Advanced training modules for licensed glider pilots, including winch launch authorization, airplane tow authorization, guest flight authorization, FI(S) competency checks, and aerobatics training (basic and advanced privileges). Designed for licensed pilots seeking further qualifications.
• Motorflug-Weiterbildung (Power Aircraft Advanced Training) Advanced power aircraft training covering SEP and TMG class ratings, propeller adjustment training, sailplane towing authorization, safety training, flight techniques, and radio navigation proficiency. Targeted at licensed motor pilots seeking additional ratings or recurrent training.
• Gebirgssegelflug Sondrio (Mountain Soaring Sondrio) Alpine soaring program at Caiolo airfield (Aviosuperficie Sondrio), Italy, operated jointly with Aero Club di Sondrio. Offers training and camps in thermal, ridge, and wave flying using school ASK 21, LS4, or Duo Discus gliders with F-tow or self-launch, including clubhouse access and camping facilities. Targeted at licensed glider pilots seeking mountain flying experience.
• Schnuppertag (Trial Flight Day) One-day introductory gliding experience for non-pilots at 180 EUR per person, including safety and weather briefing, aircraft instruction, a winch launch with a flight instructor, and lunch at the school restaurant. Targeted at aviation-curious individuals evaluating gliding as a sport without prior commitment.
• Theorieunterricht Kompakt (Compact Theory Courses) Intensive theory instruction for the glider pilot license, covering eight EASA subjects (air law, human performance, meteorology, communication, navigation, principles of flight, operational procedures, aircraft general knowledge, flight performance and planning). Delivered as full-day week-long compact courses or winter Saturday sessions, online or in-person, including AIRCADEMY or Lernomat 1000 e-learning access. Targeted at glider license candidates.
• Hotellerie/Unterkunft (Hotel Accommodation) On-site hotel accommodation in 16 star-shaped pavilion rooms (single, double, triple) with private shower/WC, TV, and free WLAN, plus fitness and sauna area, restaurant with breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets, and adjacent camping facilities. Available to trainees, visiting pilots, and external visitors.
• Seminarräume (Seminar Rooms) Rental of two AV-equipped seminar rooms for external events: 'Briefing' (20 seats, 80-inch monitor, whiteboard, flipchart, videorack, WLAN) at 250 EUR/day and 'Academics' (40 seats, optional projector) at 300 EUR/day, each with a one-time 80 EUR technology fee and on-site catering options. Targeted at external organizations and event organizers, including aviation-related groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of pilots trained and using the school's infrastructure annually
• +1 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

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• EDUCADEMY GmbH (AIRCADEMY)coreTechnology or IntegrationAIRCADEMY learning software provided by EDUCADEMY GmbH in collaboration with DAeC (Deutscher Aero Club) is recommended and used for theory exam preparation. Included in August 2026 compact course pricing for 1 year with all updates.
• Flugplatzgemeinschaft OerlinghausencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located airfield community operating the camping site adjacent to the school. Handles camping reservations and billing. School refers guests to their camping services. They also delegate a representative (Christian Lang) to the school's board.
• Aero Club di Sondrio / Avio Valtellina S.p.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school operates its mountain gliding program at Caiolo airfield (Aviosuperficie Sondrio) in Italy, managed by Avio Valtellina S.p.A. The Aero Club di Sondrio provides clubhouse facilities with briefing room, terrace, and kitchen. Daily fees collected and remitted through the German school. The school's glider fleet is deployed seasonally for this program.
• Aeroclub NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school is the designated Luftsportschule of Aeroclub NRW. The aero club delegates Björn Bräuer to the school's board. The school offers discounted rates for Aeroclub NRW members on theory courses.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• AOPA Germany: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association in Germany, representing general aviation pilots. Comparable as an aviation association adjacent to the school's training operations and pilot pipeline.
• Deutscher Aero-Club (DAeC): National aero club of Germany and DAeC-association overseeing gliding operations. The school's AIRCADEMY software is developed in collaboration with DAeC, making it a key ecosystem participant.

Direct peers

• Segelflugschule Donauwörth: Gliding school in southern Germany providing glider flight training comparable to Segelflugschule Oerlinghausen's core curriculum.
• Aero-Club Rhön / Wasserkuppe: Gliding organization at the Wasserkuppe, the historical birthplace of German gliding. Operates flight training and event activities in a comparable scale and format to Segelflugschule Oerlinghausen.
• Flugplatzgesellschaft Hahnweide: Operator of the historic Hahnweide airfield, one of Germany's largest gliding sites hosting major gliding events. Comparable as a large German gliding operation with infrastructure, training, and event hosting.
• Segelflugzentrum Königsdorf: Major German gliding center near Munich that operates flight training, a multi-aircraft fleet, and year-round operations. Highly comparable as a large-scale German gliding school offering training, winch launches, and cross-country programs.
• Luftsportverein Bayerland: Munich-based German Luftsportverein running gliding and powered flight training. Comparable as a member-owned German aviation training organization with multi-discipline offerings.
• Luftsportgemeinschaft Bayreuth: German Luftsportgemeinschaft (air sport community) operating gliding training at Bayreuth. Comparable as a member-based German gliding school with similar offerings.
• Akaflieg Berlin: Academic flying group at TU Berlin focused on gliding training and aircraft development. Comparable as a German gliding training organization serving aspiring pilots with theoretical and practical instruction.

Broad incumbents

• Lufthansa Aviation Training: Major commercial aviation training provider offering pilot, cabin crew, and maintenance training. Comparable as a large incumbent aviation training organization, though focused on airline-bound pilots rather than recreational gliding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SegelflugschuleOerlinghausen
• Instagraminstagram.com/segelflugschule_oerlinghausen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/segelflugschule-oerlinghausen-e-v-

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Segelflugschule Oerlinghausen e.V.