Oysterair

What Oysterair does

Oysterair Limited is a UK-based Approved Training Organisation (ATO) headquartered in Biggin Hill, Kent, operating under UK Civil Aviation Authority approval (GBR.ATO.0339) and holding EASA ATO certification as well as TSA registration in the United States. The company delivers bespoke flight training, online aviation ground-school courses, and aviation technical consultancy. Its curriculum covers type rating courses, FAA-to-EASA/UK licence conversions, instrument ratings, and examiner refresher seminars, serving professional pilots and operators in the business and light jet aviation segment.

Oysterair runs an asset-light, multi-base operating model with five locations across the UK (Biggin Hill, Lee-on-Solent), Norway (Oslo), Switzerland (Lausanne), and the United States (Knoxville, Tennessee). Training is delivered via classroom instruction, simulator sessions (including access to Level D Full Flight Simulators), and live flight training, with the instructor team collectively holding 50,000+ hours of experience and 35+ completed FAA-to-EASA/UK licence conversions. Jonathan Shooter serves as Founder and Accountable Manager.

The business model is services-based and primarily B2B/B2C, with revenue generated through per-course fees, bespoke type rating contracts, and consultancy engagements. Pricing is quote-based rather than published, consistent with the bespoke nature of type rating, conversion, and examiner programmes. Oysterair has built a partnership-led delivery model with aircraft OEMs such as Cirrus Aircraft and a network of European training organisations (Oriens Aviation, Orbifly, New Page Aviation, Rheinland Air Service, Aston Aviation, Spectrum Aviation), enabling it to access aircraft, simulators, and instructor capacity without proportionate fixed investment. With 1-10 employees, the firm operates as a boutique specialist trainer focused on the high-performance aeroplane segment.

Name

Oysterair

Legal name

Oysterair Limited

Website

https://oysterair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Oysterair Limited is a UK-based boutique Approved Training Organisation delivering bespoke flight training, FAA-to-EASA licence conversions, type rating courses, and aviation consultancy to professional pilots and operators across Europe and the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ), Regulatory, Compliance & Type Training (FAA/EASA/ICAO, Part 147/145) (EDAOAFAN)

Keywords

• Flight training services
• Type rating courses
• Aviation consultancy
• Instrument rating training
• Pilot examiner services

Headquarters

HQ city

Biggin Hill

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Flight Training Services: Professional flight training and checking services delivered one-to-one for pilots of high performance aeroplanes. Charges full day or half day rates rather than per flight hour to ensure thorough briefings and theory training are not compromised.
2. Aviation Consultancy: Technical consultancy and expert witness support services provided to operators, manufacturers, OEMs, and the legal/insurance sectors.
3. Licence Revalidation and Renewals: UK CAA and EASA class/type and instrument rating revalidation and renewal services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Oysterair provides bespoke one-to-one flight training for high-performance aeroplanes, covering type ratings, instrument ratings, multi-engine training, and licence revalidation for professional pilots. It also delivers aviation consultancy, expert witness services, and examiner standardisation courses, supported by an online Learning Management System that hosts theory and ground school content. Training is delivered under UK CAA Approved Training Organisation status (GBR.ATO.0339) with EASA ATO equivalency and TSA registration.

Product overview

Oysterair is a specialist flight training organization offering bespoke, one-to-one training services in high performance aeroplanes. The company operates a portfolio of training products spanning aircraft type ratings (PC12, King Air, TBM, Cessna Caravan, C525 Citation, SF50 Vision Jet, PA46, PC-24, HondaJet, Learjet), regulatory ratings (Multi Engine, Instrument Rating, High Performance Aeroplane), examiner services (Refresher Seminars, Standardisation Courses), and consultancy services. Training is delivered through multiple European operating bases using both aircraft and Full Flight Simulators, with online theoretical components. The company holds UK CAA and EASA Approved Training Organization certifications and provides FAA conversion training for pilots seeking dual qualifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pilatus PC-12 Flight Training Type-specific flight training on the Pilatus PC-12 for owner-operators and professional pilots.
• Beechcraft King Air Type Rating Type rating course on the Beechcraft King Air for professional pilots operating the type.
• Cessna Caravan Flight Training Flight training on the Cessna Caravan for owner-operators and commercial pilots.
• Cessna 525 Type Rating Type rating training on the Cessna 525 Citation jet for professional pilots.
• Cirrus SF50 Type Rating Type rating training on the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet for owner-operators and professional pilots.
• Daher TBM Flight Training Flight training on the Daher TBM for owner-operators and professional pilots.
• Piper PA-46 Flight Training Flight training on the Piper PA-46 for owner-operators and professional pilots.
• Pilatus PC-24 Take-off and Landing Training Specialist take-off and landing training on the Pilatus PC-24 jet for qualified pilots.
• HondaJet Take-off and Landing Training Specialist take-off and landing training on the HondaJet for qualified pilots.
• Learjet 45/75 Take-off and Landing Training Specialist take-off and landing training on the Learjet 45/75 for qualified pilots.
• Multi-Engine Training Multi-engine piston flight training for pilots adding a multi-engine rating.
• Instrument Rating Training Instrument rating training for pilots seeking or revalidating instrument flight privileges.
• High Performance Aeroplane Theory Course Online theory course covering the knowledge requirements for high-performance aeroplane operation.
• FAA Flight Training FAA-aligned flight training delivered at the Knoxville, Tennessee base for US-based pilots.
• Examiner Refresher Seminar Seminar for appointed examiners refreshing their knowledge and standardisation.
• Examiner Standardisation Course Course supporting examiner standardisation and revalidation for flight examiners.
• Licence Revalidation and Renewals Support for pilots revalidating or renewing professional flight licences and ratings.
• Aviation Consultancy Bespoke aviation consultancy, expert witness work and training programme design for operators, manufacturers, legal and insurance clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Completed 35+ FAA to EASA/UK licence conversions

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oriens AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK distributor for Pilatus aircraft. Oysterair works with Oriens Aviation to supply training and operational consultancy services to their clients. Located at the same address as Oysterair's Biggin Hill base.
• OrbiflycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier EASA and FAA training provider in France, founded in 1999. Leader in FAA IFR training in Europe with over 600 pilots trained. Orbifly delivers intensive training packages and is the leading FAA pilot trainer in Europe.
• Axten AviationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides aviation consultancy and expert witness services across the industry, led by Captain Chris Turner. Specialises in fixed wing and helicopter operations, engineering, and employment matters for both claimants and defendants.
• New Page AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading Cirrus training provider led by John Page, acknowledged as Cirrus International Instructor of the Year in 2017. Specialises in teaching, mentoring and ferrying Cirrus SRx, PA46, PA46T and TBM aircraft across Europe and US.
• Hallam Aviation Services LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAircraft management and consultancy company with extensive flying and instructing experience. Provides expertise in aircraft maintenance management and scheduling. Works closely with professional experts to facilitate services.
• SueAircoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdvanced aircraft hire company providing modern glass cockpit aircraft for hire. Based at North Weald and Gloucestershire Airports with DA40NG and DA42 aircraft. Oysterair utilises SueAir aircraft for MEP and IR courses.
• Rheinland Air ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for HondaJet Take-off and Landing Training, providing this service to UK HondaJet pilots.
• Cirrus AircraftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSF50 Vision Jet type rating delivered using Cirrus Aircraft's Level D Full Flight Simulators at their Knoxville Experience Centre. Factory instructors used for training delivery.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Aerosim Flight Academy: Flight academy providing pilot training including multi-engine and instrument ratings in Europe. Comparable as a regional flight training provider, though typically more focused on ab initio/ATPL than Oysterair's high-performance type rating specialism.

Broad incumbents

• CAE: Global aviation training leader with a substantial business aviation training segment following its acquisition of SimuFlite and other operators. Comparable to Oysterair on type rating and simulator-based training, but operates at much larger scale and across civil, defence, and helicopter segments.
• TRU Simulation + Training: Provider of aviation training devices, simulators, and crew training services including business aviation type ratings. Comparable on training delivery for high-performance aeroplanes, though with a stronger focus on simulator/device manufacturing alongside services.
• Lufthansa Aviation Training: European-based aviation training provider offering pilot, cabin crew, and maintenance training across multiple aircraft types. Comparable in delivering type rating training in the European market, but as part of a much broader Lufthansa Group training portfolio.
• CAE Oxford Aviation Academy: UK-headquartered pilot training organisation within the CAE group, providing ab initio through to type rating training. Comparable on training products and UK footprint, but much broader scope (ATPL, cadet programmes) rather than specialising in high-performance aeroplane type ratings.

Direct peers

• FlightSafety International: The dominant global provider of business aviation and high-performance aeroplane type rating training, operating a large network of learning centres and full-flight simulators. Closely comparable to Oysterair on customer base (corporate/charter pilots), product (type ratings and recurrent training), and delivery model, but at vastly greater scale.
• Orbifly: France-based EASA and FAA training provider founded in 1999, positioned as a leading FAA IFR trainer in Europe with 600+ pilots trained. Directly comparable as a boutique, cross-jurisdictional flight training competitor (and listed Oysterair partner) competing for the same European pilot segment.
• New Page Aviation: Specialist Cirrus/PA46/TBM training provider led by Cirrus International Instructor of the Year (2017) John Page. Listed Oysterair partner and the most direct like-for-like competitor for owner-pilot type rating training across the same airframe families.

Emerging players

• FlightPath International: Business aviation training provider focused on type ratings and recurrent training for corporate flight departments. Comparable to Oysterair in serving the high-performance/business aviation pilot segment with bespoke scheduling.

Others

• Sim-Industries: Dutch provider of business aviation training devices and simulator-based pilot training. Comparable as an adjacent supplier/training partner in the European high-performance aeroplane training ecosystem that Oysterair operates in.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oysterair

Compliance5 records

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 Oysterair