Introduction

Accurate, precise and efficient. Aero Locarno SA is a Swiss Approved Training Organization (ATO) recognized by the Swiss Aviation Authority as ATO.CH.311. All our licences are recognized by the members of European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Aero Locarno runs and completes several courses every year ensuring:

A high standard of training;
Advanced glass cockpit fleets (S201, DA40, DA42) and modern sim device (737NG FNPT II);
A close to airline-line-training program;
A reliable time schedule: we train students based on our capacity without overloading the structure;
A fast and efficient communication with the Swiss Aviation Authority. Our in house examiners have the authorization to carry out skill tests on behalf of all the EASA CAA’s.

Aero Locarno has been established in 1985 and refunded in 2018 under a new management with a clear mid to long term mission and vision.

Mission

Delivering ATPL ab initio training based on competency since the very beginning, as already widely in used in the airline environment. To make it happen, Aero Locarno:

Teaches solid airline SOPs and flows at every training level
Carries out IFR training as line flying under supervision all around Europe, running real route sectors with “Pilot Flying” and “Pilot Watching” tasks, employing professional pilots only as IFR instructors on board of the latest generation of training aircraft

Vision

Becoming a key ATO when it comes to train professional pilots, focused on the training of a limited preselected number of cadets, up to 60 students/year.

Have a look at our corporate video below!

Location

Aero Locarno is located in Switzerland on the southern part of the Swiss Alps, over Lake Maggiore and close to the Italian border ensuring a mild weather with more than 320 sunny days per year. Our training lessons combine the busy Milan airspace together with the challenging navigation through the Alps all year long. We are open all day, every day.

The headquarter is located at Locarno airport, however an extensive planning of the schedule allows to operate a satellite operation at Lodrino and Lugano airport.

HOW TO GET TO LOCARNO?

By airplane or train:

Hourly direct train service from downtown Milan and Malpensa Airport – 1h ride
Hourly high-speed train from Zurich Airport – 2h ride

By car:

Motorway from Milan Area and Zurich

Fleet & Simulator

Our fleet is made up of 12 owned aircraft, including the brand new Sonaca 201 Pro, DA40, DA42, all glass cockpit. Specific training lessons are carried out in the Extra 200 (Advanced UPRT) and the fully electric Pipistrel Velis.

SONACA

Recently delivered to Aero Locarno, brand new from the factory. The Sonaca S201 Trainer Pro are equipped with:

Glass Cockpit G500 TXI, GTN 650 XI and GI275 instruments as back-up instrument;
Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) and Engine Data Monitoring (EDM) equipment

DA40 / DA42

The IFR horses. Equipped with G1000 and SBAS upgraded ensuring the widest range of PBN exercises including the whole RNP approach capability.

EXTRA200

Available for Advanced UPRT courses and whoever is looking for some upside down training, including aerobatics training.

PIPISTREL VELIS

Aero Locarno is the first European ATO to use an electric airplane for some lessons of the EASA integrated ATPL training program, well harmonized with the already existing full glass cockpit fleet.

The Pipistrel Velis is the very first type certified electric powered airplane. Its charge is guaranteed by a 150m² solar plant placed over our hangar roof providing a full green concept.

SIMULATOR

MPS model Centaur FNPT-II/MCC state of the art simulator device. We carry out IFR, MCC, APS and JOC training emphasizing the development of non-technical skills required for working in a Multi Pilot Aircraft environment since the first hour of IFR training:

Training completely customizable with airline SOPs starting from basic IFR
The students get comfortable with a complex aircraft right from the beginning of their training
The entire training is carried out with dedicated flows and checklists bridging the students from single crew to multi crew scenarios

Courses

Aero Locarno offers a wide choice of flight courses ranging from PPL to Integrated ATPL.

Click here to view the list of available courses.

Recently, a fast “Integrated ATPL transfer of students program” has been made available and it can be tailored on your current experience and needs.

In light of offering the highest flexibility to the students trying to combine the flight training with their personal and professional life, we also developed tailored training packages optimizing the time available.

All our courses include VAT, landing fees and examination without any extra costs. We don’t charge the full training costs upfront, but equally invoiced based on the length of your training.

Accommodation is also available at our students’ residence in Locarno.

Maintenance

Aero Locarno is a Part CAMO and Part 145 approved organization, taking care of the Company’s fleet and well established in maintaining airworthy privately owned aircraft and other ATO’s fleets. Our certification includes

Cirrus (Diamond member), Diamond (Platinum member), Pilatus (exclusive partner), Cessna and Piper approved dealer.
Authorized dealer for Aspen, Avidyne and Garmin avionics
In house Airworthiness Review Staff
Partnership with Part 147 schools for stages and training programs
Partnership with local Engineering University for the ATPL training integrated with a University Engineering Master Degree

Partners

SWISS AIR FORCE

One of our biggest partners is the Swiss Air Force.
Aero Locarno is the flying school in Switzerland providing the highest number of selection courses (Sphair), which is the first flying step before becoming a military Jet / Helicopter pilot.

We currently run 7 courses per year made up of 2 weeks each, collecting a total of 400 FH per year and evaluating the suitability of 42 candidates. Selection model

The model has been developed together with the Swiss Air Force and it is based on the Fleishman model: 9 aeronautical and 7 personal criteria are evaluated during the 10 days flying and classroom sessions by at least 2 different instructors
Pass rate at this stage is 40% which ensures a pass rate of 95% when starting the training with the Swiss Air Force

https://www.sphair.ch/sphair/

ANSETT AVIATION ITALIA

Ansett is our ATO partner providing full type ratings on B737 and A320 located at Milan Malpensa Airport.

Under this cooperation the students completing the ATPL training with Aero Locarno will have access to a MCC-JOC course, integrated with a Type Rating at Ansett Aviation Italia either on the Airbus 320 or Boeing 737-800, optimizing costs and training standards’

SMARTLYINX

The partnership wants to deliver a continuous and consistent training path for cadets aiming for a flying career.

The students completing the ATPL training with Aero Locarno and attending the Airbus 320 Type Rating with Ansett Aviation Italia will have access to the SmartLynx fleet for the base training.

The partnership also allows Aero Locarno selected cadets to be assessed by SmartLynx though a continuous assessment of the candidate’s performance during the training.

Aero Locarno SA