Our Story

Our mission at Avtrain is to encourage prolific drone operations and keep the skies safe through the highest standards of Training and Certification. Avtrain is Europe's leading drone Pilot and Operator training and certification body, setting the standards for others to follow. We use a mix of innovative new online technologies to deliver our training courses and provide consultancy services.

We certify Drone Pilots and Operators for all fixed-wing, hybrid, single and multi-rotor drones in all weight categories for the grant of European Authorisations under EASA regulations. In addition, we currently hold an approval as Recognised Entity issued by the Irish Aviation Authority for the grant of the Open Category A2 and all Specific Category Authorisations, Declarations & Light UAS operator Certificate (LUC).

In May 2021, Avtrain, Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI), Skyports and Shannon Group established a consortium - FMCI Air. In addition to launching an operational vertiport at Shannon's FMCI campus by 2022, this organisation works on establishing Ireland's first drone air taxi service and routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. In addition, this partnership will encourage R&D activities and investment in Ireland's Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) industry.

In October 2021, FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company and a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), collaborated with Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI) Air and completed its first scheduled drone last-mile delivery flights in Ireland. The deliveries were made from FMCI (Shannon Airport, Co. Clare) to Foynes Port (Co. Limerick). The project was part of a month-long trial that saw a number of drone flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in the Mid-West region of Ireland. The drone deliveries were made in under 13 minutes.

In November 2021, Avtrain, ASG and VectorCap joined forces to create Europe's first eVTOL aircraft Pilot Training Organisation, VertX Aero. The organisations signed the MoU during the Dubai Airshow 2021 in the presence of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar. This agreement heralds in a new era of Pilot training. VertX Aero will become a key enabler for the future safe use of electric urban air mobility aircraft (referred to as eVTOL aircraft) through robust Pilot training. This new organisation combines the strengths of the three organisations which already have proven track records and industry-wide recognition as leading approved providers of aviation training, compliance and oversight, and commercial development and growth.

In 2022, Avtrain plans to continue strengthening its position in the aviation industry and global markets by presenting innovative solutions for Drone Pilots and Operators to take their UAS operations to higher levels.

Our Captain

Julie Garland is a former Airline Training Captain and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. She is also a Barrister at Law, a former Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and an accredited mediator. And before founding Avtrain, Julie was previously the Director Compliance for Norwegian Air International. She is an Irish Aviation Authority Authorised Examiner for all Drones up to 75kgs for the grant of Pilot Competence Certificates and Specific Operating Permissions under the previous Irish National Licensing system and currently for all Open and Specific Category Pilot and Operator Certifications. She is the founding Chair of the Unmanned Aircraft Association of Ireland and spearheaded bringing the UAAI and Ireland into the newly formed JEDA – the Joint European Drone Associations to give drone operators a voice in Europe.

Julie's technical background, combined with her operational experience as a Captain of both manned large commercial aircraft and drones combined with her vast understanding of aviation regulations, gives an unsurpassed depth of domain knowledge. She has been training pilots for over 25 years.

Our Team

Our team comprises industry specialists who can advise on everything from the correct drone for your operations to how to implement drones into your business. We have highly trained instructors on staff to help with your theoretical knowledge and practical training. We can provide a complete package from purchasing your drone through to your training and certification. The more complex the operation and the more challenges it presents excites us tremendously along with the simple day-to-day operations.