Clearwater has advised the shareholders and managers of French Aviation Academy (Cannes Aviation Academy), a leading airline pilot training school in France, and its aircraft maintenance workshop, Riviera Plane Maintenance (RPM), on its LBO to a pair of managers, with the support of Connect Pro and Sofipaca.
Founded in 1995, Cannes Aviation Academy is one of the leading French airline pilot training schools and an Approved Training Organisation (A.T.O). The company is recognised for the quality of its training to the highest European standards, enabling students to aim for direct integration into renowned airlines. Based at Cannes-Mandelieu airport, the company trains around 100 pilots a year, using its fleet of 11 aircraft and three flight simulators, as well as having its maintenance workshop, RPM.
This transfer of ownership, desired and organised by the shareholders and managers, Mathieu Di Costanzo and Nathalie Di Costanzo, will enable the company to continue its development and mission in favour of excellent training. The shareholder-managers have chosen to remain in the company's capital while entrusting its management to two key managers, who were themselves trained at the school; Nicolas Vivancos, currently Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor and Monitoring & Compliance Officer, who will take on the role of CEO, and Mathias Otho, Head of Pedagogy.
To ensure a lasting transition, the shareholder-managers will gradually step back from operational duties, in order to focus on structural projects such as the opening of a second training base, or an external growth strategy aimed at expanding the range of training courses offered. The company is also currently in exclusivity to make an acquisition.
This capital and operational transition will be accompanied by Connect Pro and Sofipaca, who will provide their expertise to promote the school's deployment.
