HeliCentre
HeliCentre BV is a privately held Dutch helicopter company operating a 9-aircraft fleet from Lelystad Airport, providing EASA-certified pilot training, VIP and sightseeing flights, aerial inspection, cinematography, and event logistics to private individuals, government clients, and enterprise customers across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersLelystad, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What HeliCentre does
HeliCentre BV is a privately held Dutch helicopter services company founded in 2005 and headquartered at Lelystad Airport (Emoeweg 12, 8218 PC Lelystad), operating across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The company runs two integrated divisions: a flight training academy (HeliCentre Heli Academy), accredited as an EASA Approved Training Organisation (NL-ATO-31) with curricula covering PPL(H), CPL(H), FI(H), FE(H), type ratings, Multi-Engine Instrument Rating, and an Entrol H11 EC135 full-flight simulator (FNPT III MCC); and a commercial helicopter operations division holding an Air Operator Certificate (NL-AOC-36), Special Operations registration (SPO), Part M maintenance certification (NL.MG.0036), and Military Aviation Authority accreditation (MAA-NLD A-FCL-006), executing VIP transport, sightseeing flights, festival and event logistics, inspection services, and aerial cinematography.
The fleet comprises 9 owned helicopters spanning 13 types, from 2-seat Guimbal Cabri G2 trainers through 7-seat EC130/H130 VIP turbines, supported by a 1,100+ m² hangar, classrooms, and briefing facilities. Differentiated technology includes a proprietary inspection navigation and reporting system with automatic route calculation, coordinate-based mapping, incident logging, and automated client report generation (covering 100-150 km² per hour), as well as a Cineflex V14 5-axis gyro-stabilized HD camera system and FLIR for live broadcast work. The company holds general TUG landing exemptions across all Dutch provinces, enabling flexible mobile operations.
Revenue is generated through per-transaction pricing on consumer flights (€425-€2,175 for sightseeing, €499-€1,099 for trial lessons, €4,250-€5,500 starter packages, €25-€500 gift vouchers) and professional services engagements with enterprise and government clients including KLPD, Rijkswaterstaat, Ministerie van Defensie, BMW, KTM, Amstel Bier, Tomorrowland, Discovery Channel, RTL4, Rabobank, Eneco, and DSV, among others. The customer base spans more than 12,000 passengers annually. HeliCentre is a founding member of the Leading Helicopter Academies (LHA) European network, launched in June 2022, which aggregates 10 EASA-approved academies with a combined 150 helicopters and 16,000 annual training hours.
HeliCentre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HeliCentre
- Legal name
- HeliCentre BV
- Website
- https://helicentre.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- HeliCentre BV is a privately held Dutch helicopter company operating a 9-aircraft fleet from Lelystad Airport, providing EASA-certified pilot training, VIP and sightseeing flights, aerial inspection, cinematography, and event logistics to private individuals, government clients, and enterprise customers across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HeliCentre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Helicopter Services & Flight Training
- NAICS
- Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (48121), Flight Training (611512), Air Transportation (481)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Helicopter Charter & Sightseeing (TLAFABAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Helicopter Sightseeing & Scenic Tours (TLAFACAD), VIP/Executive Helicopter Transport (THABAGAH), Helicopter Airport Transfers & Ground-Connection Shuttles (TLAFACAE)
Keywords
Where HeliCentre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lelystad
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
HeliCentre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Sightseeing/Scenic Flights: Per-transaction helicopter flights for tourists and recreational customers departing from Lelystad Airport. Flights priced per duration and passenger capacity, ranging from €425 to €2,175.
- Flight Training Services: Comprehensive helicopter pilot training from PPL(H) private pilot license through CPL(H) commercial license, FI(H) flight instructor, and FE(H) flight examiner certifications. Includes starter packages and trial lessons.
- VIP Helicopter Transport: High-value business transportation including airport transfers (Schiphol), point-to-point VIP transport, and special event logistics. Premium pricing for corporate clients.
- Inspection Services: Aerial inspection services for infrastructure, cables, pipes, water systems, and crops using advanced navigation and reporting systems. B2B services for government and corporate clients.
- Photo and Video Production: Aerial cinematography services using Cineflex V14 and FLIR systems for film, television, and corporate productions. Includes live broadcast capabilities.
- Festival and Event Services: Helicopter transport for festivals including artist/DJ transport, event promotions, and helicopter events. Services range from single helicopter assignments to operations with 12 helicopters simultaneously.
- Gift Vouchers: Prepaid vouchers available in €25 to €500 denominations for helicopter flights and training.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Trial lesson with instructor and student (Guimbal Cabri G2) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Trial lesson with instructor, student, and up to 2 passengers (Robinson R44) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Robinson R44 sightseeing flight (max 3 passengers) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sightseeing flight (max 4 passengers) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift vouchers in various denominations |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 5 Flying Lessons Starter Package (Guimbal Cabri G2) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 5 Flying Lessons Starter Package (Robinson R44) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Jack's Casino Racing Day event flight (1 person) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
HeliCentre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HeliCentre operates a full-service helicopter company offering integrated aviation services through two main divisions: a flight training academy (EASA-approved ATO providing PPL through CPL, instructor and examiner certifications, type ratings, and simulator training) and commercial helicopter operations (AOC for passenger transport covering sightseeing flights, VIP transport, inspection flights with proprietary navigation/reporting technology, aerial photography/video with gyro-stabilized camera systems, and festival/artist transport). The company owns and operates a modern fleet of helicopters from a 1,100+ m² facility at Lelystad Airport and serves both individual consumers and enterprise clients across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Product overview
HeliCentre operates as a full-service helicopter company offering integrated aviation services through two main divisions: flight training and commercial helicopter operations. The training division (HeliCentre Heli Academy), an EASA-approved ATO, provides pilot licensing from beginner (PPL) through commercial (CPL) to instructor (FI) and examiner (FE) levels, plus type ratings and simulator training. The commercial operations division holds an AOC for passenger transport and offers VIP flights, sightseeing tours, inspection flights with proprietary navigation/reporting technology, aerial photography/video with gyro-stabilized camera systems, festival/artist transport, and special event services. The fleet of 9 helicopters (expanding to 13 types available) ranges from 2-seat trainers (Guimbal Cabri G2) to 7-seat VIP turbines (EC130/H130). Services are available 7 days a week from Lelystad Airport base and various event locations. HeliCentre also serves as founding member of the Leading Helicopter Academies (LHA) European network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Helicopter Trial Lessons Introductory flight lessons where customers pilot the helicopter under instructor supervision. Available in two variants: Guimbal Cabri G2 (€499-€825 for 1 student) and Robinson R44 (€625-€1,099 for 1 student + 2 passengers). Includes 30 minutes theory briefing plus practical flight time in Basic (30 min), Advanced (45 min), or Professional (60 min) tiers.
- Starter Package - 5 Flying Lessons Five-lesson beginner helicopter pilot training package covering basics of helicopter flight including forward flight control, climbing, descending, turning, and hovering. Available for Guimbal Cabri G2 (€4,250) or Robinson R44 Raven II (€5,500). Each lesson includes 1 hour flight time, 2 hours instructor time, and 1 landing. Must be completed within 6 months.
- Sightseeing Flights Scenic helicopter flights departing from Lelystad Airport. Options include flights for max 3 passengers on Robinson R44 (starting €425) or max 4 passengers (€799-€2,175). Flight durations range from 20 to 60 minutes. Available 7 days a week.
- VIP Helicopter Transportation Business helicopter transport service from Amsterdam Schiphol and other locations to helicopter-accessible destinations in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Includes aircraft such as EC135/H135 with VIP layout and autopilot. Caters to executives, artists, celebrities, ministers, and high-profile business clients.
- Inspection Flights Aerial inspection service for infrastructure, utilities, and environmental monitoring. Features advanced navigation and reporting system with satellite/topographic maps, client-specific incident entry, coordinate-based routing (RD-format, WGS84), automatic report generation with photos, coordinates, and detailed observations. Inspection coverage of 100-150 square kilometers per hour.
- Photo and Video Flights Aerial photography and cinematography service. Equipment includes Cineflex V14 gyro-stabilized 5-axis HD camera system (360° rotation, 195° tilt), FLIR camera system, and gyromount for broadcast/SLR cameras. Helicopters equipped with certified camera mounts include Robinson R44 and Eurocopter EC120.
- Festival Artist/DJ Transport Helicopter transportation for festival artists and DJs between venues, including coordination for multiple simultaneous aircraft operations (up to 12 helicopters). Services include landing permits, temporary heliport setup with air traffic management, and passenger handling. Regular operations include King's Day and Liberation Day events.
- F1 Spa Francorchamps Transport VIP helicopter transport to Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps circuit. Includes private heliport at Spa Malmedy near the circuit, eliminating traffic concerns. Service includes pickup from customer-specified locations.
- PPL(H) Private Pilot License Training Private helicopter pilot license course requiring minimum 45 flight hours and 7 theoretical exams. Enables non-commercial passenger flights with cost-sharing among occupants.
- CPL(H) Commercial Pilot License Training Commercial helicopter pilot license course requiring PPL completion plus 155 total flight hours, 13 additional theory exams, and 35 additional flight training hours. Enables charging for flight services.
- FI(H) Flight Instructor Training Flight instructor certification training for qualified pilots wishing to teach helicopter flight.
- FE(H) Flight Examiner Certification Flight examiner certification for experienced instructors authorized to conduct pilot examinations.
- Type Ratings (EC135, EC120, AS350, R44, R66) Type-specific helicopter training for EC135/635, EC120, AS350/H125, Robinson R44, and Robinson R66. Includes Type Rating Instructor (TRI) certification for EC135/635.
- Instrument Rating (H) - Multi Engine IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) multi-engine helicopter rating for flight in reduced visibility conditions.
- License Conversion Conversion training for pilots holding licenses from non-EASA jurisdictions to obtain EASA-compliant helicopter pilot certifications.
- Helicopter Rental / Hour Building Helicopter rental service for pilots seeking to build flight hours (hour building). Provides access to various helicopter types for supervised solo practice.
- EC135 Helicopter Simulator Professional EC135 full-flight simulator (FNPT III MCC) for instrument rating and multi-crew cooperation training.
- Gift Vouchers Gift vouchers available in denominations of €25, €50, €75, €100, €150, €250, and €500. Redeemable for trial lessons, sightseeing flights, or other HeliCentre services. Multiple vouchers can be combined for single purchases.
- Helicopter Events (Corporate/Private) Helicopter event services including helicopter displays, brand-wrapped aircraft, and aerial demonstrations for product launches, company presentations, and corporate events. Generates media publicity through TV and magazine coverage.
Quantifiable outcome
- 9.5/10 customer rating based on 164 reviews
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use HeliCentre
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
HeliCentre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
HeliCentre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Leading Helicopter Academies (LHA)flagshipEuropean network of 10 EASA-approved helicopter academies launched June 2022. Combined fleet of 150 helicopters providing 16,000 annual training hours across 22 European bases. HeliCentre is a founding member. Network offers training across all terrain types and weather conditions, from ab-initio to specialized operations including IR, MCC, PBN, ME, SPO ratings. Supports newly graduated pilots in finding employment with governments and large operators.
- NACA (Netherlands Association of Commercial Aviation)coreActive member of NACA, the industry association for commercial aviation companies in the Netherlands. Membership provides registration, accreditation, and exemption benefits, influencing new legislation and safety measure implementation.
- IL&T (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport)coreDutch Civil Aviation Authority responsible for accreditation, licensing, and regulatory oversight of helicopter operations and training organizations.
- KIWAminorKIWA-pilot certification services for pilot licensing verification.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HeliCentre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Heli Austria Flight Academy: Austrian helicopter training organization and LHA member providing ab-initio through professional pilot certification with comparable fleet and EASA training approvals to HeliCentre.
- Helibravo: Portuguese helicopter academy and LHA network member providing EASA-approved pilot training, sightseeing, and specialty operations with a similar business model to HeliCentre.
- Helicopter Groundschool Belgium: Belgian helicopter training provider and LHA member offering theory and flight training in close geographic proximity to HeliCentre, with overlapping Benelux customer base.
- Heli-flight: German helicopter training and operations provider and LHA member with comparable EASA ATO certification and fleet structure, competing directly in the cross-border Benelux-German charter market.
- Superior Air: Greek helicopter academy and LHA network member providing EASA-certified pilot training alongside charter and aerial work services, similar integrated model to HeliCentre.
- LION Helicopters: Czech Republic helicopter academy and LHA member providing EASA-approved flight training and charter services with comparable fleet composition to HeliCentre.
- Mountainflyers: Swiss helicopter academy and LHA member offering EASA-approved training across all license levels with comparable fleet and inspection/scenic capabilities, similar integrated business model to HeliCentre.
- European Helicopter Center: Norwegian helicopter academy and LHA network co-founding member offering EASA-approved PPL/CPL/type rating training similar to HeliCentre. Operates comparable fleet and training syllabus across its market.
- Pole-Air: French helicopter academy and LHA member offering EASA training and aerial work with a similar integrated operations model to HeliCentre.
Broad incumbents
- Bristow Group: Global helicopter operator providing offshore crew change, SAR, and government services at much larger scale. Relevant incumbent comparable for HeliCentre's VIP transport, inspection, and government aviation contracts.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
HeliCentre social profiles
Digital presenceHeliCentre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HeliCentre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
HeliCentre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HeliCentre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HeliCentre
What does HeliCentre do?
HeliCentre operates a full-service helicopter company offering integrated aviation services through two main divisions: a flight training academy (EASA-approved ATO providing PPL through CPL, instructor and examiner certifications, type ratings, and simulator training) and commercial helicopter operations (AOC for passenger transport covering sightseeing flights, VIP transport, inspection flights with proprietary navigation/reporting technology, aerial photography/video with gyro-stabilized camera systems, and festival/artist transport). The company owns and operates a modern fleet of helicopters from a 1,100+ m² facility at Lelystad Airport and serves both individual consumers and enterprise clients across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Is HeliCentre a public or private company?
HeliCentre is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was HeliCentre founded?
HeliCentre was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is HeliCentre based?
HeliCentre is headquartered in Lelystad, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does HeliCentre make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Sightseeing/Scenic Flights are the primary driver. The others are flight Training Services, VIP Helicopter Transport, inspection Services, photo and Video Production, festival and Event Services and gift Vouchers.
Who are HeliCentre's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Heli Austria Flight Academy, Helibravo, Helicopter Groundschool Belgium, Heli-flight, Superior Air, LION Helicopters, Mountainflyers, European Helicopter Center and Pole-Air. Bristow Group is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does HeliCentre have an API?
No public API is recorded for HeliCentre.
What industry is HeliCentre in?
HeliCentre's product category is Helicopter Services & Flight Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFABAH, Helicopter Charter & Sightseeing, with a secondary code of TLAFACAD, Helicopter Sightseeing & Scenic Tours. Its NAICS code is 4812.