Market Intelligence: -Investments and Acquisitions

Digital Aviation Publisher, Padpilot, Receives Investment by Rose Street Partners

United Kingdom – Investment firm Rose Street Partners has announced its third investment of 2024, investing into Padpilot, a leading provider of digital aviation training content. Padpilot, recognized for its innovative and high-quality materials, has established itself as a prominent player in the European market and is now expanding globally.

Rose Street Partners will support Padpilot’s long-term growth ambitions while maintaining the company’s culture of quality and innovation.

Statements

  • Dan Skyte, Founder and CEO of Rose Street Partners, commented: “Padpilot is a truly unique business, committed to proving the best aviation training content in the world. Padpilot’s relentless focus on quality and innovation has driven extraordinary levels of growth, and we look forward to working with Nathan, Cristina, Katharine, and the rest of the team in continuing this trajectory for many years to come.Huge thank you to founders Graham & Jill Cownie for being a pleasure to work with, and for placing their trust in Rose Street to support the remarkable company that they have built.“

Source: Rose Street Partners

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Spanish Private Equity Firm Announces Major Acquisition of Spanish Flight Training Group

Madrid, Spain – Sherpa Capital, the leading private equity firm in Iberia, is pleased to announce that it has acquired 80% of FlyBy, one of the largest flight training groups in Spain.

This strategic investment marks the beginning of a new growth phase for FlyBy, with an ambitious expansion plan that includes both internationalization and inorganic growth, as well as strengthening its position as a leading training center.

Statement:

“We would like to thank Alex Alvarez for the trust placed in Sherpa Capital by choosing us as a strategic partner to drive the company’s future growth, as well as our advisors in this transaction: Grant Thornton España, Pérez-Llorca M&A and Squire Patton Boggs,” Sherpa Capital said.

About Sherpa Capital
Sherpa Capital, with over 14 years of experience, is a leading private equity firm in Iberia. Its investment strategy, Operational Value, focuses on mid-sized companies with strategic and operational challenges. It manages over 350 million euros, standing out for its model of sustainable value creation through business improvements. Its team of 40 experts with deep operational knowledge works closely with portfolio companies, employing a unique methodology that allows for the development of plans tailored to different challenges. This approach ensures the scalability and long-term evolution of businesses, positioning Sherpa as a benchmark in business transformation and value creation.

Source: Sherpa Capital
Photo Credit: Sherpa Capital

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US Aviation Academy Acquires Assets of Flyt Aviation in Atlanta, Georgia

United States based US Aviation Academy (USAA), one of the largest aviation and pilot training organizations in North America which recently announced it had already enrolled more than 500 aspiring pilots to its 2024 flight training courses, is pleased to announce its acquisition of the assets of Flyt Aviation, a well-established flight school based at Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Georgia.

This acquisition marks US Aviation Academy’s expansion into the greater Atlanta area, bringing its renowned flight training programs and industry expertise to a new region in response to increasing demand for skilled pilots.

Falcon Field (KFFC) is an ideal location for the expansion, providing a state-of-the-art facility in a vibrant aviation community. The acquisition of Flyt Aviation’s assets enables US Aviation Academy to offer a full range of flight training services, from Private Pilot Certificates to advanced commercial training, in the bustling Atlanta market. With this strategic move, US Aviation Academy aims to deliver top-tier flight instruction to local and international students, creating new opportunities for individuals pursuing professional pilot careers.

“This acquisition represents a significant step forward in our mission to expand access to quality aviation training nationwide,” said Mike Sykes, CEO of US Aviation Academy. “We are excited to bring our proven training programs and experienced instructors to the Atlanta area and to provide a new gateway for aspiring pilots in Atlanta Georgia and beyond.”

The new Atlanta campus at Falcon Field will initially operate under Part 61, allowing for flexible, personalized training schedules that can accelerate students’ paths to their goals. With Part 141 certification pending FAA approval, US Aviation Academy plans to expand its offerings to meet the needs of a diverse student population, including those seeking structured, accelerated career pathways and self-examining authority.

Through the integration of Flyt Aviation’s assets, US Aviation Academy reaffirms its commitment to innovation, safety, and excellence in aviation education. The Falcon Field location will benefit from US Aviation Academy’s extensive resources and expertise, providing students with access to well-maintained aircraft, advanced training technology, and a curriculum aligned with the needs of the modern aviation industry.

About US Aviation Academy
US Aviation Academy, headquartered in Denton, Texas, is a premier flight training and aircraft maintenance education provider, serving students from around the world. Known for its rigorous training programs, experienced instructors, and commitment to student success, US Aviation Academy offers a range of courses designed to meet the demands of the aviation industry. With locations across the United States, US Aviation Academy is dedicated to preparing the next generation of skilled pilots and aviation professionals.

Source: US Aviation Academy

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US Flight Training Group Expands Network with Acquisition of Flight School Assets in November 2024

Fort Myers, Florida, USA – Paragon Flight Training, an award-winning flight training academy based at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida, has purchased the assets of AirVentures in LaGrange, Georgia, a flight training cornerstone in the region for more than 30 years. The announcement was made by Paragon Flight President Chris Schoensee and follows the company’s 2023 entrance into the Georgia market when it began a partnership with LaGrange College to offer the college’s first program in aviation.

“At Paragon Flight, our strategic expansion plans are guided by a solid cultural fit centered on a shared vision of excellence in flight training and locations rooted in growing regional markets – and AirVentures fits the bill on both counts,” Schoensee said. “It is an established and well-respected local flight training school in a burgeoning area of Georgia and the purchase is another milestone in our company’s 18-year history,” Schoensee said.

In May of this year, Paragon Flight announced its company-wide student enrollment was at an all-time high, and in September welcomed its first full-year class of students at LaGrange College pursuing a minor in aviation using Paragon Flight’s acclaimed Professional Pilot Program (P3). The program is specifically designed to allow students to pursue other majors while simultaneously preparing for dynamic careers.

“Our entrance into Georgia with the LaGrange College partnership opened our eyes to the tremendous potential in this part of the state. With its proximity to Atlanta and the strong interest in commercial aviation careers continuing unabated, we are bullish on the opportunity to integrate AirVentures operations into Paragon Flight and significantly bolster our flight training capacity here,” Schoensee said.

The purchase price remains confidential. A second AirVentures location in Columbus, Georgia, was not part of the acquisition. The LaGrange location will begin operating under the Paragon Flight Training brand effective December 1, 2024.

Paragon Flight now has three locations, with its headquarters in Fort Myers, Florida, and a Punta Gorda location that opened in 2023 at the Punta Gorda PDG Air Center. Per a previously announced long-term strategy to add 50 Piper aircraft by the end of 2027, Paragon Flight has added 9 new Piper P100i’s already this year, with the tenth arriving this month. With more than 30 Piper P100i aircraft currently in its fleet, Paragon Flight owns approximately 15% of the Piper P100i aircraft in existence, including the milestone 100th Piper P100i.

About Paragon Flight Training
Paragon Flight is an award-winning flight academy headquartered at Page Field in Fort Myers, Florida. Holding FAA and SEVIS accreditations, the company trains commercial, professional, and recreational pilots as well as offering military pilot training for domestic and foreign governments. With multiple locations in Florida and Georgia, Paragon Flight now has more than 34,000 square feet of training facilities in the South Eastern United States.

Source: Paragon Flight Training
Photo Credit: Paragon Flight Training (shown as meta image)

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