About us

On 15th of June 1979 Horizon Swiss Flight Acadeny was founded in Grenchen/SO with a share capital of CHF 60’000.

In autumn the theoretical trainings for commercial pilots and instrument flying start in Grenchen, St. Margrethen, Emmenbrücken and Nebikon. 13 employees.

40 instructors and 7 twin-engine aircraft are in operation

Decision for the procurement of a Seneca III simulator and two aircraft of the same type. Adaptation of training concepts.

Revolution in instrument flight training. 30 hours are now performed in the simulator. The actual flight program is concentrated on 10 hours with cross-country flights in Europe. A study proves effectivity and efficiency of the new training concept. Examiners confirm its higher training quality.

Start of VFR training and implementation of Piper Archer II aircraft.

FOCA approval for integrated Commercial Pilot and Instrument flight training.

The first VFR simulator is put into service. A new era of pilot training starts.

As one of the first flight academys worldwide, Horizon is certificated according ISO 9001.

Implementation of a new evaluation procedure for pilots: HUPEX (Human Potential Explorer). Stress tolerance and decision quality under pressure can now be identified and assessed

Horizon becomes partner of Lufthansa, KLM and EPAG in the EU project  “Lilienthal-Distant Learning PPL” via internet.

Training adjustment according to the new European standards JAR-FCL (Joint Aviation Requirements-Flight Crew Licencing).

17 February 2000: Horizon is granted the JAR-FCL certificate and becomes an approved Flying Training Organisation (FTO Nr. 110 146), as one of the  first Swiss institutions.

Start for the Distant ATPL Academy DAA. As the first FTO, Horizon offers the entire theoretical ATPL training by means of a Distance Learning Course with an e-learning platform.

Horizon celebrates its 25-year anniversary.

In addition to the Distant ATPL Academy DAA, similar courses for the IR, CPL, CPL/IR, and ATPL Stand Alone are approved by the Federal Office for Civil Aviation.

Horizon’s experience and success with distance learning courses comes to operator’s attention: Elearning and information platforms are created and hosted for Helvetic Aiways, Jet Aviation, and Global Jet Luxembourg.

Horizon announces the introduction of its new training concept with DA42 Twin Star and the D-SIM-42. The simulator is put into service in autumn 2007.

The Horizon concept now also takes place in the helicopter field: FOCA-approved courses are offered for the levels PPL and CPL, according to JAR-FCL 2.

Relocation to Kloten and inauguration of the Hangar 56 Simulation Center. 

The DA42 Twin Star "HB-LUK" joins the Horizon fleet.

Horizon celebrates its 30-year anniversary

Training for Operators complements the Horizon course offers.

The Horizon SFA training concept is expanded with the bases East (St. Gallen), Central (Buttwil) and North (Fricktal).

Horizon is certified as Approved Training Organisation ATO according to EASA standards.

Horizon is granted approval as Flight School, according to ISO 29990:2010 and agrees in a partnership agreement with Flugschule Grenchen for practical training PPL-CPL and theory CPL-IR-ATPL.

Our D-SIM-42 Twin Star is now certified for Multi Crew Cooperation Courses as the first FNPT II of its kind.

Horizon ELC (E-Learning Campus) go-live as new distance learing plattform. 

Approval granted by Swiss FOCA to provide Type Ratings for Airbus A320 family. 

Cooperation between Horizon and the ZHAW for a dual study course BSc. and frozen ATPL.

Horizon enters cooperation with Ecoflight and Kreutzer Aviation for practical flight training PPL-CPL. 

Dipl. Pilot HF Education is now offered by Horizon. 

Horizon receives Part 147 Approval for type training on Embraer 170/190 and is directly chosen by Air Astana for the Embraer 190 B1/B2 type training.

First A320 type rating has commenced for Germania Switzerland.

Alpaviation becomes a partner flight school. Horizon SFA extends its network to Bern-Belp.

Horizon SFA agrees to purchase two new Diamond Aircraft DA42-VI and one simulator. 

Horizon SFA celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Two new DA42-VI aircract (HB-LVB and HB-LVC) join the Horizon fleet. Additionally a new DA42 simulator (FNPT-II) was put into operation. 

The Airline Cadet Programme in collaboration with Helvetic Airways and easyJet Switzerland was introduced.