ATO
Approved Training Organisation
Last updated: April 20, 2026 · Maintained by Aviatr Editorial Team
What is ATO?
An ATO (Approved Training Organisation) is an EASA-certified flight school authorised under Part-ORA to deliver formal pilot training toward EASA licenses (PPL, CPL, ATPL, LAPL) and their associated ratings. ATOs must demonstrate instructor qualifications, aircraft maintenance, safety management, and quality systems before receiving EASA approval from the national aviation authority.
How is ATO used?
Only ATOs can deliver the structured theoretical and practical training required to earn an EASA license — a pilot cannot self-teach or learn from an unapproved instructor for license purposes. ATOs publish approved training courses with defined syllabi, flight-hour breakdowns, theoretical knowledge exam schedules, and skill-test timelines. Initial ATO approval typically involves 6-12 months of paperwork, an on-site audit by the national aviation authority, and a demonstration of operational and safety management standards. ATOs that primarily deliver CPL/ATPL integrated programs often specialise in airline-cadet pipelines and partner with major European carriers for guaranteed interview slots. Most PPL training in Europe is delivered by ATOs; the simpler DTO (Declared Training Organisation) designation was later introduced by EASA specifically for less complex PPL and LAPL training providers with reduced regulatory overhead. Aviatr only lists EASA-approved ATOs and declared DTOs in its European flight-school directory — Part-ORA compliance is a prerequisite for any school visible on this platform, giving prospective students confidence that the training they book counts toward a valid EASA license.