About Us
IFA - International Flight Academy
IFA is an international flight academy base in Portugal offering EASA ATO (Approved Training Organisation) courses. With three bases of operation (Cascais, Braga and Viseu) we have North/South national coverage and a reduced dependence on a single airport infrastructure.
At IFA we are committed to making your dreams come true. As aviation specialists, we have trained thousands of pilots and cabin crews over 26 years, which are presently flying in several airlines around Europe, Asia and Africa.
IFA has its own in-house maintenance conducted by IFA Industries (Part 145) which belongs to the IFA Group. Having our own in-house maintenance means total control over the quality of mechanical interventions and greater fleet readiness for instruction.
We are proud of our past and excited about the future!
Approach to training – 3 step comprehensive training
3 Steps Comprehensive Training, means we believe in an inclusive and complete training where the student pilot starts flying with conventional instruments & airplanes, and progressively moves towards more complex machines and avionics that prepare him/her for an airline. Our goal is to forge our students for all kinds of professional challenges.
Our aircraft fleet
+27 airplanes
IFA provides the most up to date training equipment to students and instructors.
IFA is the official distributor and service center in Portugal for the Pipistrel Aircraft, which gives our students access to the most advanced training aircraft available, the Pipistrel SW121.
Pipistrel Virus
- Glass cockpit
- Digital auto pilot – Garmin model GFC500
- Variable pitch
- Basic instruments
- Advanced UPRT (equipped with parachute)
- Spins approved by EASA
- G3X avionics
Pipistrel Explorer
- Parachute
- Pitot Heat
- Glass Cockpit G3X touch
- Angle of attack sensor
- Synthetic vision system
- Constant speed propeller
- Garmin GNC355 GPS
- LPV capable
- Garmin 255 COM/NAV
Cessna 152
- Analog gauges
- 2 seater
- Solo flights
- VFR for PPL and ATPL
Cessna 172
- Glass cockpit
- Digital auto pilot – Garmin model GFC500
- 4 seater
- Instrument rating
- PBN
- GNSS
- G5 avionics or G1000 avionics (both available)
- FADEC technology
Liberty-XL2
- Anologic gauges
- 2 seater
- Instrument rating
- GNSS
- G430 avionics
- FADEC technology
Grumman GA7
- Anologic gauges
- 4 seater
- Instrument rating
- PBN
- GNSS
- G430 avionics
OUR TOP-NOTCH SIMULATORS
Boeing 737 MAX Simulator – Next-Gen Pilot Training
IFA’s brand-new Boeing 737 MAX FNPT II simulator, installed in 2025, offers one of the most advanced and realistic training experiences in Europe. Equipped with OEM-grade controls and full system failure simulation, it delivers true-to-life airline scenarios for future pilots.
Fully EASA and FAA compliant and upgradeable to FTD Level 2, the simulator is ideal for APS/MCC and MCC courses, providing hands-on experience in Boeing cockpit operations.
Combined with our A320 simulator, cadets gain exposure to the two most in-demand aircraft types, preparing them for over 90% of today’s commercial airline fleet. Located at our Viseu campus, this €1 million investment reflects IFA’s commitment to cutting-edge aviation training.
Airbus A320 Simulator – Precision. Immersion. Airline-Ready.
Step into the skies with IFA’s state-of-the-art Airbus A320 FNPT II simulator, engineered by Simnest and outfitted with OEM-grade components for unparalleled realism. From advanced flight systems to authentic cockpit dynamics, every detail is built to mirror the Airbus experience.
Certified for APS/MCC and MCC training, this high-performance simulator delivers 42 hours of immersive hands-on instruction, seamlessly integrated with in-depth theoretical modules. Trainees master Airbus SOPs, multi-crew communication, and real-world airline procedures — all within a fully responsive virtual environment.
As part of IFA’s elite training fleet — alongside the Boeing 737 MAX — the A320 simulator ensures cadets graduate with operational fluency on the world’s most in-demand aircraft platforms. Housed at our cutting-edge Viseu campus, it represents a cornerstone in IFA’s mission to shape the next generation of airline pilots with excellence, innovation, and industry precision.
Our FNPT-II ALSIM Flight Simulator
At IFA we are commited to pushing the boundaries of educational quality. By this premise we have a state of the art FNPT-II simulator, the ALX by Alsim simulators.
This ground based training device opens a massive variety of capabilities, certifications and airplane types to our instruction portfolio.
It is capable of IR, MCC, MPL and PBN training. Being configurable it can range from a classic instrument aircraft to a glass cockpit, and various types of aircrafts including engine, twin engine or airline (Airbus 320).
Our Bases
Our Flight Simulator
At IFA we are commited to push the boundaries of educational quality and diversity. By this premise we added a state of the art FNPT-II simulator, the ALX by Alsim simulators.
This ground based training device opens a massive variety of capabilities, certifications and airplane types to our instruction portfolio.
Because it is a modular based instruction device, our students can fly aircraft types ranging from a small single piston engine aircraft all the way to a Medium Jet category aircraft.
Our Bases
