Österreichische Luftfahrtschule - Austrian Airlines

Info

ÖLS (Österreichische Luftfahrtschule) was the offical flight training facility of Austrian Airlines.

Geschichte

ÖLS (Österreichische Luftfahrtschule, Austrian Aviation School) was the offical flight training institution of Austria's National Carrier, Austrian Airlines. It was located on the premises of Graz International Airport in Austria.

Numerous pilot courses were held at ÖLS to supply the demand of Austrian Airlines Group, many other European airlines as well as to the Austrian Air Force.
The history of ÖLS dates back as far as World War I when cadet pilots of police and armed forces began training at the "ÖLSAG Fliegerschule" on April 1st 1929. Training planes that were spared from destruction in World War I were used as training equipment. In 1934 the facility was officially designated as the primary training institution for airmen of the armed forces and thereby became the birth place of Austria's Luftwaffe.
In 1995 the new name "ÖLS" was selected and the Airport of Graz and Austrian Airlines operated the flight school as a joint venture. In 2007 Austrian Airlines once again took over the majority of the flight school in reaction to a modified legal framework with regards to flight training organisations in Europe (i.e. JAR/EASA FCL). At this time ÖLS was also a prime partner for the aviation studies held at "FH Joanneum", enabling students to obtain an academic degree in aviation whilst pursueing their airline pilot training.
In 2009, after the aquisition of Austrian Airlines Group by Lufthansa, it was decided to sell the flight school and discontinue all training activity.