What I really enjoyed about AELO was the relaxed and familiar atmosphere that accompanied me during my studies. The instructors and the staff did their best to make you feel at ease and comfortable! Of course for me it was even better being close to home and being able to see my friends and family in my time off, but even without that I’m sure I would have enjoyed my stay at AELO.

Another very important point for me was the flexibility, they always found a way to make the schedule work for me, when I asked for some time off or needed time to work at my side job, this opportunity was definitely a big plus!

I liked the school and I can definitely see myself coming back and working as an instructor in the future!

Ciao, Noè

Hello! My name is Stef, I am 21 years old and am currently flying the Airbus A320/A321 for Air Astana. Back in August of 2022 I transferred from a different flight school to AELO. They helped me tremendously throughout the process and I immediately felt at home. From the start it became clear that you are not just a number at AELO, but you are focused on as an individual.

Throughout my training with AELO I received very professional and personalized training from experienced aviation professionals. From flying between the beautiful Swiss mountains, to the blue Italian coast, I learned what it meant to be a professional pilot with all the skills that come with it. All the while I was discovering the gems of Switzerland and Italy with great people surrounding me.

With the experience and exceptional training I received, I was able to land my myself a job at the leading airline in Eurasia, Air Astana, only a few months after graduation. Now I am operating the Airbus A320 and A321 daily with the skills I learned over at AELO.

“My journey started with AeroLocarno in 2020, my second family for 2 years, where I met super nice and friendly people. The school has high training standards and an airline-oriented mindset that made my path smoother throughout the assessment at WizzAir. In December I succeeded at the recruitment and in July 2023 I made my first landing with an Airbus 321. In only 3 years I went from 0 hours to airline pilot. However, my advice is not only to look at the finish line but to enjoy every moment of your training because our job is amazing, and if you are flying in Switzerland, you are doing it in one of the most beautiful country in the world. Good luck to all!”

After my VFR phase with a different school, I was transferred to Aero Locarno for my IFR and Multi-Engine. I received excellent training and support throughout these phases by well experienced instructors and they contributed to a pleasant learning environment.

The freedom and possibilities within Aero Locarno make it a very professional school which closely represents modern day aviation. After being on trips to Italy, The Netherlands, France, Corsica, Croatia, and Germany my experience grew immensely. Seeing, not only the local airspace, but many different airspaces made the course much more diverse and enriching.

I am Pieter, 21 years old and currently first officer at Transavia. I started at AELO in Locarno at the end of November ‘21. From the moment I arrived at AELO, everything was focused on becoming the most independent pilot possible.

In 14 intensive months I was prepared for the CPL ME/IR exam. Due to AELO’s location, between the mountains but also close to the busy area around Milan, you are optimally prepared for the sometimes hectic locations, which I now also have to deal with.

I am very grateful to AELO for the level at which I graduated from the course! It makes my job easier now.

For the students currently enrolled in the course: keep up the good work! You have a very bright future ahead of you.

I’m currently working in ITA airways, the flag company of Italy … I’m type-rated on the A320 family.

And I’m operating short and medium haul flights, based in Fiumicino airport.

About AELO I’m happy of my choose because they allowed me to have a good training in the best time possible, with a lot of flexibility with the scheduling of lessons and the best instructors.

Till now to people use to travel and they ask me about my training I’m always suggesting this school for theirs sons.

I am currently since 2022 a First Officer in Wizzair, now based in Roma.

In Aero Locarno the concern is not just about providing students with the legal hours by performing repetitive flights in the same area. On the contrary, I felt the school’s interest in providing me with different challenges and experiences to make me a better pilot and improve my decision making (from mountain flights to night stops and long IFR navigations all over Europe). I experienced thoroughly the increase in my skills with the help of very experienced and dedicated instructors and I found a team and a family focusing first on the students.

This is a top European ATO, and I couldn’t be any prouder of having been a student there!

Training at AeLo was an incredible experience. From the start, Stefano and the team gave me complete confidence with their support and guidance. Flying VFR in the Alps is breathtaking, and the training highly exceeded my expectations.

With AELO I flew to 7 different countries, something I’ve never heard from any colleague at other flight schools. The high standards at Aero Locarno left me fully prepared for a career with major airlines. Even almost four years after finishing the course, I still keep in touch with Stefano, who has helped me numerous times with airline assessments. I highly recommend this school to anyone seeking top-quality flight training in a stunning location.

Flight training with Aero Locarno was an amazing experience for many reasons. You have the possibility to fly in a really professional environment where all the instructors have airline experience and around the alps which is the perfect training area with a lot of challenges that help you to grow as a pilot. Not to mention the beautiful view of the lakes area and the Alps that really gives the training a plus.

During the IFR part you have the possibility to start the training on a FNPTII simulator which really put you in a modern cockpit and gives you the real possibility to experience airline operations, (especially during the MCC course it will result very useful to practice many detailed scenarios). You will continue the IFR operating in Milano area and around Europe to simulate an airline scenario with all its challenges and giving you the possibility to fly in different environments to give you the real taste of what is flying IFR in the most beautiful airports in Europe.

Last but not least all people working in Aero Locarno are really helpful in case of any problem and are completely available for the best training experience you can have.

Lorenzo

working for Ryanair, 2022

“Hi there! My name is Malou and I’m currently flying the Boeing 737 from my homebase in Amsterdam. I started flight training at AELO in 2021, where I spent an unforgettable 1.5 years.

At AELO, I had the opportunity to make flights I never thought I would. You’re given the freedom to create your own flight plans, as long as you prepare everything thoroughly. I flew solo to airports all around Europe that I never imagined I’d visit during my flight training. Being able to plan your own route, execute the flight and manage everything from takeoff to landing is one of the most valuable lessons I learned at AELO.

One of the most memorable flights I did was a solo trip flying around the Matterhorn. It was during these kind of flights that I realized how much I could accomplish with the right training and mindset.

Looking back, AELO provided me with experiences and lessons that laid the foundation for my career as a First Officer. The skills I gained, flights I’ve done and the friendships I made will always be a significant part of my aviation journey.

See you in the skies! – @pilotmalou”

“Since December 2024 I joined Zimex, a Swiss airline, as a First Officer on the ATR 42/72, after graduating from AELO a few months before.
During my time off from the airline I work at AELO as an ATPL TKI, covering subjects such as Performance, Mass & Balance and Air Law.

Being able to transfer some of my love and passion for aviation to our students at AELO is an extremely rewarding and enriching experience!

Alessio”

My time in Locarno has been the best of my life! Living in the middle of the Alps with people from all over the world is something I will never forget.

At AELO, I completed my theory and flight training within 17 months, achieving my CPL ME IR. With the guidance of professional instructors, we were given a high level of responsibility and the freedom to plan flights to amazing destinations.

I was hired by TUI fly on the Boeing 737 and now I regularly pass over Locarno at FL410, looking down on all the adventures and memories I made in Switzerland!

Hi I’m Niels, 22 and currently Second officer at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. I started at AELO in September 2023 and finished in January 2025. 

What I really enjoyed about AELO is the personal attention you have from each instructor and a flexible syllabus. This meant that if you have some trouble with anything specific, there is a possibility to spend more time training just that!

AELO has a combined training schedule of real flying and ATPL theory at the same time. The fleet is modern with Garmin cockpits and an in house maintenance team. 

I am very grateful to AELO for making me the best pilot version of myself! For people questioning if they should enroll: DO IT!

 Hiii, my name is Daniëlle and I’m currently 21 years old. I started as a first officer at Transavia in 2024.

I started at AELO Swiss Academy in October 2022. During my time at AELO, I learned how to work precisely and gained experience in how to deal with airline scenarios which still helps me in my career right now.

What I appreciate about AELO is that there are so many unique fields to discover, and learning the limits of the airplanes while flying through the beautiful valleys of the Swiss Alps.

I finished in February 2024 at AELO, and I’m super grateful to all the people who trained me and helped make my dream come true!

Hi, my name is Alessandro, and I completed my training with AELO in January 2026 after almost two years. I have recently started my career as a First Officer on the Phenom with BJA Aviation.

What I enjoyed most about my experience in Switzerland were the friendships we built along the way and the opportunity to fly through some of the most breathtaking landscapes imaginable. Those memories and experiences made the journey even more special.

Above all, what really stood out to me was the forma mentis that AELO gave us. I truly realized how valuable that was during my type rating, and it is something for which I am very grateful for today.