CEFA, the frequency for all pilots
CEFA trains the helicopter pilots of tomorrow, from private pilot’s licences to dual professional licences, at our campuses in Reims-Prunay and Abbotsford.
2
schools, France & Canada
12
Training & qualifications
5
Types of equipment covered in the course
98%
Success in exams
— Why choose us?
The trusted centre for training to become a helicopter pilot.
Across France and Canada, CEFA supports every student to the same high standard: a practical approach to teaching and genuine personal support, from their first flight right through to their licence.
Whether you’re aiming for a recreational licence or a dual professional licence to make it your career, our instructors — all of whom are active pilots — will work with you to create a training programme tailored to your pace and your ultimate goal.
Active instructors
A teaching approach informed by real-world operational experience, not just academic knowledge.
Mixed-type fleet
R44, R66, B505, SE 313: you’ll train on the aircraft you’ll actually be flying.
Two schools, one method
Reims-Prunay or Abbotsford: the same high standards, wherever you study.
— Our training courses
Our training courses, from
the basic certificate to advanced training.
Twelve courses to help you obtain, extend or maintain your helicopter pilot’s licence.
Licences
Becoming a pilot
Conversions
Validate your licence
Qualifications
Expand your remit
— Our schools
Study in France and Canada.
Main campus — France
Reims-Prunay
Our long-standing base, at Reims-Prunay Aerodrome. Dedicated facilities and easy access to training flight zones.
📍 Reims-Prunay Aerodrome
Partner Campus — Canada
Abbotsford
A North American immersion experience for students who want to combine a challenging education with an international experience.
📍 Abbotsford, British Columbia
— Feedback from our students
What our pilots take away from their training.
— I came across CEFA’s dual CPL(H) course whilst looking for flight schools in the Greater Region. Proximity was important to me, and I made my decision after completing an introductory ‘pilot experience’ flight with Marc in Luxembourg.
Discussions with Marc and Fabrice were always conducted in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Marc, drawing on his considerable professional experience, was able to pass on his knowledge to us during the practical lessons. I’m glad I took plenty of notes so that I could carefully put his advice into practice during flights, and I have no doubt that this advice will serve me well throughout my future career.
Ken S.
Dual CPL(H) training course
Start date: January 2023
— The instructors are brilliant. They’re incredibly knowledgeable, and they manage to pass that on to us really easily. It’s not just a teacher-pupil relationship. It’s like having a second family.
The facilities in Reims are undoubtedly better than in Luxembourg. It’s much simpler and less complicated to get airborne. There are fewer restrictions. For the same amount of flight time, you learn and make much more progress in Reims than in Luxembourg.
Laura S.
Dual CPL(H) training course
Start date: October 2022
— As the first student to use the ‘PadPilot’ support and courses in Luxembourg, I have the following observations:
The PadPilot books are written in very clear English, which makes the work easy and enjoyable.
The instructors’ lessons are very good.
For me, it’s a personal challenge to see how far I can go to end up in a helicopter cockpit. For anyone facing this decision, if you’re sure of your goal and ready to put in the effort to achieve it, the best way forward is to book a trial lesson or a pilot experience. I guarantee that after that, the decision will be much easier to make.
Christophe H.
Dual CPL(H) training course
Start date: September 2023
Ready to take action?
Let’s discuss your training project, whatever stage it’s at.
Our teams are on hand to assist you from Reims-Prunay or Abbotsford.