Blands Aviation Group
BLANDS AVIATION GROUP
Investor Briefing

Training tomorrow's
aircraft engineers. Today.

An EASA Part-147 aircraft maintenance training organisation in development — built to close aviation's licensed-engineer shortage, one certified cohort at a time.

Location — Twente Airport, NL (preferred) Curriculum — Airbus-endorsed First cohort — within 15 months
Choose Your Track
01 — The Problem

Aviation is running out of licensed engineers.

Commercial aviation is running out of qualified aircraft mechanics and engineers. The shortage isn't a future risk — it's already limiting how many aircraft airlines and MROs can keep serviceable.

167,000
new maintenance technicians needed across Eurasia over the next 20 years
48,000+
projected shortfall of aircraft maintenance workers by 2027
Part-147
the only route to basic Cat-A/B1/B2 certification — and in short supply

Certification is highly regulated: only an EASA Part-147 approved organisation can deliver basic training to Cat-A, B1 (Mechanical) and B2 (Avionics) standard. Training capacity has not kept pace with demand, leaving airlines and MROs competing for the same shrinking pool of licensed engineers.

02 — The Solution

Two entities, one pipeline.

Blands Aviation Group operates through two complementary entities: an academy that recruits and trains students, and a staffing agency that places qualified graduates directly into the airline and MRO industry — turning a training pipeline into a reliable, recurring supply of licensed engineers.

Blands AeroAcademy

Training

EASA Part-147 approved training organisation (in development) producing Cat-A, B1 (Mechanical) and B2 (Avionics) licensed engineers, with a curriculum officially endorsed by Airbus. Preferred location: Twente Airport, the Netherlands.

Blands AeroServices

Placement

Unlike freelance-model staffing agencies, Blands AeroServices offers graduates regular employment, placed directly with airline and MRO partners — an estimated 80% stay in the pool for a minimum of two years.

03 — Why Now

A phased, de-risked entry point.

  • Curriculum development already underway, officially endorsed by Airbus.
  • Preferred site identified at Twente Airport — a single, easily-scaled location; the model is designed to replicate across further sites in Europe once proven.
  • First student cohort targeted within 15 months of investment close, with revenue generation expected within 23 months.
  • Flexible student funding — loans, self-financing, or direct sponsorship by an airline or MRO — reduces the Academy's own working-capital exposure per seat.
  • Two complementary revenue lines — tuition income from Blands AeroAcademy, and a recurring, scaling placement/staffing stream from Blands AeroServices once graduates enter the workforce.

The investment case. Blands Aviation Group is seeking one or more minority investors to fund a phased launch — sized to get the first cohorts trained and into the AeroServices staffing pool with disciplined early-stage risk. Positive net income is targeted from year three, as tuition revenue is joined by a scaling, recurring stream of staffing and placement fees.

A full Investment Memorandum — including the detailed financial model, phased funding structure and investment terms — is available to qualified investors on request, subject to signing an NDA.

03 — Partnership Programme

Sponsor seats, or hire direct.

Two consecutive Cat-A classes of up to 26 students each, combining theoretical instruction with advanced practical training. Flexible funding: student loans, self-financing, or sponsorship by an airline or MRO.

Programme
Duration
Investment
Category A — Basic Training
35 weeks
TBA
Category B1 Upgrade (Mechanical, for Cat-A holders)
60 weeks
TBA
Category B2 Upgrade (Avionics, for Cat-A holders)
60 weeks
TBA
  • Sponsor or co-fund student seats to secure a future pipeline of certified engineers matched to your fleet and needs.
  • Access graduates through Blands AeroServices on a regular-employment basis — not freelance — with an estimated 80% staying in the pool for a minimum of two years.
  • Priority, early access to graduates as a founding partner — before the pipeline opens more broadly.
  • Get involved early: named after Lilian Bland, the first female aviation engineer, the Academy is also building a deliberate pipeline of women into technical aviation roles.
04 — Leadership

Diversity in knowledge, bound by shared vision.

Karl Doonan
Founder, CEO
Licensed Aircraft Engineer (EASA and UK CAA Part-66 B1, with multiple Boeing and Airbus type ratings); MSc Aircraft Maintenance Management, City, University of London; Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Extensive experience delivering engineering services across the MRO and aircraft leasing sector in Ireland and the EU.
Dermot Mannion
Non-Executive Chairman
30+ years in the airline industry across three continents. President, Group Support Services at Emirates (1985–2005); CEO of Aer Lingus (2005–2009), delivering its privatisation; Deputy Chairman of Royal Brunei Airlines, leading an award-winning government-backed rebranding and restructuring programme. Advisory board member for two aviation-technology start-ups. Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland; Trinity College Dublin Business School graduate.
Marcel Diender
Investment Director
MSc International Business & Management (Groningen) and MSc Economics & Business (Uppsala). Finance consultant and interim professional specialising in financial modelling, forecasting and management reporting, with experience improving financial organisations across construction and real estate, trade and industry, oil and gas, logistics, staffing and healthcare. Experienced in acquisition integration, financial due diligence and multiple accounting standards (Dutch GAAP, German GAAP, IAS/IFRS); invests on a small scale in start-up businesses.
Gerben Groothuis
Director of Business Development
Global business development and M&A executive with cross-border dealmaking experience (buy-side and sell-side) across a multitude of industries, having worked in over 20 countries spanning Europe, the Americas and Asia. Skilled in start-up dynamics, operational turnarounds and change management, with a strong grounding in technology and sustainability.
Arthur Gaskin
Chief Financial Officer
25+ years in international and domestic aviation finance — aircraft leasing, treasury, capital markets, and private and investment banking, including roles at two Big Four accountancy practices and two leading London investment banks. Currently advises investors on aviation-sector opportunities, from lessor-platform setups to MRO-facility acquisitions and airline financial viability assessments. Qualified Irish Chartered Accountant and Irish Taxation Institute member; MSc Aviation Finance (First Class Honours), UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
05 — Let's Talk
Get In Touch

Request the Investment Memorandum.

We'd love to meet investors ready to back a scalable answer to aviation's licensed-engineer shortage. Request the full Investment Memorandum, ask about the funding structure, or arrange a follow-up meeting.

Karl Doonan — Founder, CEO, Blands Aviation Group Gerben Groothuis, Blands Aviation Group info@blandsaviationgroup.com +353 86 058 7683

Booth number: [add before printing]

QR code to email Blands Aviation Group
Scan to email