Airbus Flight Academy Europe

A rich and varied heritage

The first Airbus aircraft, the A300B1, first took to the skies on October 28th, 1972. For the A300B1 to happen it required bringing together, within an unprecedented industrial cooperation programme, the vision, expertise and knowhow of the best minds of the European aerospace industry. Airbus’ success owes as much to its culture of collaboration and diversity as it does to its pioneering spirit and innovative mindset.

Many of the Airbus sites in Europe are steeped in history dating back to the earliest days of aviation. Today in the 21st century, history is being written at Airbus sites globally as we pioneer the transition of our industry towards sustainable aerospace.

The creation of Airbus Flight Academy Europe

Airbus Flight Academy Europe is much more than a maintenance center or a flight school. This wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus’ Defense and Space division embodies excellence and the transmission of unique expertise that is essential to French and European aviation. Since its creation in 2006 at the 709 Cognac Air Base, it has continued to grow and reinvent itself, combining high-level aircraft maintenance with military and civil pilot training.

Airbus Flight Academy Europe is a key player in aircraft maintenance throughout France. With more than 100 technicians spread across eight sites, the company maintains aircraft primarily for the French armed forces. Each maintenance technician has a specific specialty, enabling them to respond quickly and effectively to specific problems encountered on different aircraft.

The company operates from the Avord, Cognac, Romorantin, Saintes, and Salon de Provence air bases, as well as the Lanvéoc and Lann-Bihoué naval air bases. At these seven military sites, fleets of Xingu, Grob 120, Jodel D-140, Diamond HK36, Cirrus SR22 and SR20, and CEAPR CAP10 aircraft are maintained in operational condition.

Airbus Flight Academy Europe has an eighth aircraft maintenance site located at Angoulême-Cognac Airport. This site, known as the “rear base,” supports the other bases and the dedicated Cirrus SR20 and Diamond DA42 fleets.

This precision work is carried out by a team of seasoned professionals, composed equally of civilians and former military personnel. Their mission? To ensure maximum aircraft reliability and safety.

A future to perpetuate

From transporting aircraft between different bases to maintenance and logistics, as well as developing aeronautical expertise in painting, metalworking, plastics, composites, maintenance of survival equipment (parachutes and life jackets) and a specialization in turboprop engines, the company has established itself as a key player in aviation in France and Europe.

Airbus Flight Academy Europe continues to grow by consolidating its expertise and strengthening its reputation. The company supports the ramp-up of pilot training for the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy, contributing to pilot training and maintaining the operational readiness of training resources: aircraft and flight simulators.

Today, Airbus Flight Academy Europe is positioned to support the defense sector’s ambitions in the training of transport and drone pilots and in the French armed forces’ rearmament plan.

Our sites in France

Airbus Flight Academy Europe is located on 8 permanent sites in France and can intervene everywhere in France or abroad on customer request.

Our approvals

Airbus Flight Academy Europe is accredited of the following agreements delivered by the ad-hoc authorities, e.g. the French DGAC for civilian aircraft or the DSAE (Direction de la Sécurité Aéronautique d’État), a French MoD entity, for state aircraft.