In order for a flight school to train pilots, it has to hold an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) certificate or have submitted a declaration for a Declared Training Organisation (DTO). Based on the relevant European standards that are applicable in Switzerland, the FOCA and its inspectors are responsible for the certification and oversight of flight schools providing training for airplanes, helicopters and balloons.
General information
Newsletter Flight schools and light aircraft operations
Presentations concerning training organisations
This newsletter informs training organisations, pilots and anyone interested about our current activities, news and regulatory changes. The newsletter is available in German, French and Italian. You can subscribe here: FOCA newsletter subscription
Newsletter Juli 2023 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik
Topics: Introduction of the information security management system (ISMS, Part-IS) for some ATOs, safety management for training organisations, commercial balloon operators and marginal activity organisations, hot weather flying and the dangers on the backside of the power curve
Newsletter März 2023 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik
Topics: Wauwilermoos and other protected areas: It's nesting season! EASA ECQB Exam Questions: Changes as of 26.06.2023, mandatory reporting of incidents and accidents, Marginal activity: sightseeing flights
Newsletter Dezember 2022 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik
Topics: Results from general aviation ramp inspections 2022, agenda item for your FI refresher seminar: Search & Rescue (SAR), EGAST Radiotelephony Guide for VFR pilots, crediting of subject communications, Part-BOP commercial balloon operations: Addition of livestock and horse stables to your hazard identification and risk registry
Newsletter Juni 2022 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik
Topics: ATO full scope audits, EASA Sustainable Pilot Training Webinar, nature protection areas (example Wauwilermoos, endangered Kiebitz / Northern Lapwing), Flight Canceled? Close your flight plan!, fuel and oil supply
Newsletter Februar 2022 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik
Topics: Desktop reviews with ATOs, ATO oversight focus 2022, ramp inspections Part-NCO and marginal activity, exam combination of radiotelephony and language proficiency, FOCA supplies VFR VAC Basel for radiotelephony exams
Newsletter Oktober 2021 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik
Topics: Introduction basic instrument rating, update of CL OM/TM, noise and safety in flight training, stay safe newsletter
Newsletter Juli 2020 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik
Topics: COVID-19, ATO oversight cycles, compliance management, theoretical knowledge PPL and LAPL, licensing for balloons Part-BFCL and sailplanes Part-SFCL, instrument rating performance based navigation (PBN), CPL theoretical knowledge in English, night rating syllabus changes
Newsletter 03/2019 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik (PDF, 1 MB, 05.12.2019)Topics: New revision 4 of GM/INFO CL OM/TM, UPRT and CS-FSTD(A) Issue 2, Part-M Light new CAO possible instead of CAMO, VFR radiotelephony, Area 100 KSA, subject 090 Communications, wake turbulence of helicopters, keeping the flight plan up-to-date, mechanic licenses Part-66 L1/L2/B2L, annex-I-aircraft in ATO/DTO and recording of flight time
Newsletter 02/2019 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik (PDF, 1 MB, 11.07.2019)Topics: DTO templates complete, IFR radiotelephony exam material, UPRT, NCO.SPEC, sailplane towing rating, FI(S) instructing on TMG, new Part-BFCL and Part-SFCL, Part-BOP templates OMM/OM, class and type rating renewals
Corrigendum: Sailplane towing rating not only obtainable in ATO but also in DTO; in the graphic for advanced UPRT, replace "SP HP aeroplanes" with "SP HP complex aeroplanes"
Newsletter 01/2019 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik (PDF, 2 MB, 19.02.2019)Topics: AltMoC Management personnel withdrawn, updated forms PRA/Compliance List/Form 105, theoretical knowledge instruction of general subjects, new theory exam aids, changed learing objectives for ATPL/MPL/CPL/IRs, definition of marginal activity, SAR brochures, new rules for balloons Part-BOP, Easy Access Rules for Part-SERA
Newsletter 03/2018 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik (PDF, 2 MB, 31.08.2018)Topics: Part-DTO now in force, responsibility of the Compliance Monitoring Manager (CMM), RTF changes, Area 100 KSA (new theory element for ATPL, CPL, MPL), IFR minimum equipment and maintenance, GA-Roadmap 2.0 event, EASA GA Community for interaction with the agency
Newsletter 02/2018 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik (PDF, 1 MB, 29.03.2018)Topics: This issue is focused on Part-DTO, specifically for Declared Training Organisations
Newsletter 01/2018 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik (PDF, 1 MB, 28.02.2018)Topics: Root-Cause-Analysis, Update CL MS and CL OM/TM, MOU(H), DTO status, Syllabus templates, OSD implementation, Close your flight plan!, 8.33kHz, infuencing future regulation by commenting NPAs
Newsletter 01/2017 Flugschulen und Leichtaviatik (PDF, 1 MB, 06.11.2017)Topics: EU/EASA implementation for training organisations 08. April 2019, presentation of FOCA certification leaflets (CL) and introduction of syllabus templates for ATOs and DTOs, PBN learning objectives, OSD implementation, IFR flight plans, logging PIC time, Easy Access Rules of EASA, Part-NCO, Balloon and Sailplane rulebooks
The following presentations were held by FOCA at events for training organisations:
Presentation about the topic of DTO and ATO from the meeting of flight schools, held on 16/09/2017:
Approved Training Organisation (ATO)
How to get started as an ATO
Certification Leaflet CL MS und CL OM/TM
Required forms
Application for issuance or amendment of a certificate
Application for changes to the ATO's documentation
Notification of new or changed nominated persons
Templates for ATO manuals (OMM, OM, TM, list of aircraft/instructors)
Training programmes (Syllabi)
Implementation Journals
Organizations seeking an ATO certification are informed about the process by means of a pre-application meeting. Depending on the quality of the submitted documents, a complete certification requires about 6-12 months. We are looking forward to hearing from you to set a date for your pre-application meeting.
Applications: General
New applications and changes within an Approved Training Organization (ATO) usually require a document evaluation and, in some cases, further oversight activities by an inspector. Certain documents must be submitted, depending on the type of application. On this page you will find these documents and downloads.
For obtaining an ATO certificate, a training organisation is required to have a FOCA approved management system. The management system consists of an «Organisation Management Manual» (OMM), an «Operation Manual» (OM) and a «Training Manual» (TM).
The «Certification Leaflet CL MS» is available to training organisations (ATO) as guidance to establish their «Organisation Management Manual» (OMM), which should describe the ATOs management system.
CL MS:
FOCA GM/INFO - CL Management System (PDF, 2 MB, 01.11.2023)Covers all aspects of management system requirements and shall assist the applicant to implement a Management System and to comply with the requirements
For developing and maintaining the «Operation Manual» (OM) and «Training Manual» (TM), we are providing the CL OM/TM as a guidance. It contains examples for the content of these manuals, as well as questions for compliance verification and self-assessment and as a preparation tool for audits and inspections.
CL OM/TM:
FOCA GM/INFO - Operations and Training Manual (PDF, 4 MB, 30.05.2023)Provides guidance on all aspects of the required structure and content of an Approved Training Organisation’s (ATO) documentation
A certificate must be applied for in the event of an initial ATO application or if a change to the ATO certificate is requested (e.g. new courses, changes to simulators used). If all requirements are met, an ATO certificate listing the approved courses is issued. A course is now considered approved once the certificate and Form 105, signed by the FOCA, has been received. In order for the application to be processed, both Form 105 and a corresponding compliance list must be submitted.
An application to change documentation (e.g. changes to OMM, OM, TM or syllabuses) does not affect an ATO certificate. ATOs must now apply for any changes to be made to documentation using Form 105. The FOCA issues approval or acceptance of the change also via Form 105.
The FOCA must be notified of appointments to the relevant positions in a flight school. This applies to both new appointments and when a position is filled for the first time. In addition, the FOCA must approve the Accountable Manager.
The positions in an ATO are as follows: Accountable Manager (AM), Head of Training (HT); for professional pilot training: Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) and Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor (CTKI); except in the case of ATOs with organisational review: Safety Manager (SM) and Compliance Monitoring Manager (CMM).
The FOCA must be notified at least ten days in advance of any change in management personnel. The OMM must be revised as a result of any such change. Form 105 must be submitted each time a change is made to the OMM and new management personnel are appointed.
FOCA provides template manuals (OMM, OM, TM) for ATOs in word-format. The content of these templates correspond to the examples given in the CL OM/TM. The aim of these templates is to support new ATOs in preparing their management system. It is paramount, however, that an ATOs management system reflects the actual procedures and processes used and is ultimately useful in the operation.
There are two options to implement an OMM’s “Safety Risk Management” and “Compliance Monitoring”. The method of the «Organisational Review» (OR) is, however, only available to training organisations providing training toward the LAPL, PPL, SPL, BPL and their associated ratings.
Templates:
- ATO Organisation Management Manual OMM Template (DOCM, 438 kB, 30.05.2023)
- ATO Organisation Management Manual with Organisational Review OMM-OR Template (DOCM, 1 MB, 30.05.2023)
- ATO Operations Manual OM Template (DOCM, 466 kB, 30.05.2023)
- ATO Training Manual TM Template (DOCM, 362 kB, 28.06.2022)
- OMM ATT5 Internal Audit Checklist and Report (DOCX, 47 kB, 10.10.2017)
- OMM-OR ATT1 Organisational Review Checklist and Report (DOCX, 48 kB, 10.10.2017)
Flight schools are required to develop a training programme for any kind of training. These programmes must comply with Part-FCL of the Air Crew Regulation. Additionally in case of type ratings, the training programme shall take the operational suitability data (OSD) of the aircraft manufacturer into account. The document CL OM/TM contains further information on the development of the specific training programmes.
The Implementation Journals support the flight schools with new requirements in specific topics. The documents help to implement these changes and accompany the certification process.
Declared Training Organisation (DTO)
How to get started as a DTO
Declaration
Safety policy, list of aircraft, list of instructors
Annual activity report and annual internal review
Training programmes (Syllabi)
The Declared Training Organization (DTO) is a simplified form of organization for flight schools. The DTO is a result of the GA roadmap of the EASA.
In order to start with training activities, a declaration and the corresponding training programs (syllabi) have to be submitted to sbfl@bazl.admin.ch.
The legal basis has been published as Part-DTO (Annex VIII) of the Air Crew Regulation. For sailplanes and balloons, Part-DTO will apply as of April 08th 2020.
To operate as a DTO, a flight school must declare that it will operate within the bounderies of the law and provides information on training courses offered. In case of changes to the organisation, the declaration shall be amended and submitted again.
The representative of the DTO states by means of a safety policy that the organisation aims for a safe operation of all activities. The annex thereto is the implementation of the safety policy, based on hazard identification and occurrence reporting. The training organisation should also have a flight instructor list and aircraft list.
By means of the annual activity report, the DTO reflects on the past year and reviews its internal processes. The annual activity report is made in the first two months of the new year and sent to sbfl@bazl.admin.ch.
Flight schools are required to develop a training programme for any kind of training. These programmes must comply with Part-FCL of the Air Crew Regulation. Additionally in case of type ratings, the training programme shall take the operational suitability data of the aircraft manufacturer into account. The document CL OM/TM contains further information on the development of the specific training programmes.
List of Swiss flight schools
The flight school directory will help you find the training providers in Switzerland. There are two categories: Approved Training Organizations (ATO) may offer any certified courses, up to the commercial and airline transport pilot license. The Declared Training Organizations (DTO) provide training for private pilots, with the associated ratings.
Further information
Contact
Federal Office of Civil Aviation FOCA
Section Training Organisations and Light Aircraft Operations
Tel: +41 58 466 70 07
Fax: +41 58 465 80 53