KEY FACTS
France-BIA offers courses for the Brevet d'Initiation à l'Aéronautique (BIA - Aviation Initiation Certificate) 100% live via videoconference, accessible from anywhere in the world. Courses are taught either by a professional flight instructor or by young aeronautical engineering students. With approximately 1,000 students trained since its creation, a 99% success rate and 23 countries represented among students enrolled this year, France-BIA has established itself as a major player in French-language distance BIA training.
WHO WE ARE
Educational Leadership
Sandra Bouxirot - Founder and Educational Director of France-BIA
- Professional flight instructor (CPL)
- Holder of CAEA (Certificate of Aptitude for Teaching Aeronautics) issued by the French Ministry of Education
- 27 years of experience in the French Air and Space Force and civilian aviation
- Trained numerous professional pilots in one of the most demanding environments
- Among the first five female pilots in the French armed forces
- Human factors trainer
- Main instructor for Saturday courses, with occasional interventions on Sundays and Mondays
The AeroJeune Subsidiary
Loïc and Romain Bouxirot, engineering students, occasionally intervene as part of AeroJeune:
Romain Bouxirot
- Dual degree: Centrale Lille Engineering School and EDHEC (GETT program, 4th place worldwide in Financial Times Master in Management ranking)
- Passionate about science, space, and history
- Teaches part of Sunday and Monday courses alternately
Loïc Bouxirot
- Dual degree: IMT Nord Europe Engineering School and Imperial College London (12th worldwide in data science and AI according to QS ranking)
- Passionate about aerodynamics, science, AI, and mechanics
- Teaches part of Sunday and Monday courses alternately
OUR DIFFERENCE
🎓 Zero E-Learning: 100% Human Interaction
- All courses are conducted live via videoconference
- No pre-recorded modules: students are never left alone
- Virtual classes of 25-30 students maximum
- A single instructor follows the class throughout the year (maximum two for AeroJeune)
- Real-time interaction with the instructor
- Courses enriched with real-life stories and field anecdotes
👨✈️ Qualified Instructors, Not Volunteers
France-BIA Training: Professional flight instructor with 20 years of experience and mandatory CAEA certification
AeroJeune Training: Young engineers in training at top schools, because careers in aeronautics and space are numerous and not limited to pilots
🌍 Worldwide Accessibility Without Borders
- Training accessible from any country with an internet connection
- 23 nationalities represented among students this year
- Collaboration with the AEFE network (French schools abroad)
- No nationality or enrollment requirements in a French institution
- Teaching exclusively in French
🎁 Free Resources and Premium Support
Made available free for everyone:
- BIA exam archives from 2015 to 2025
- Interactive quizzes based on official exams
- Free access without registration
Included in training (€12/hour of instruction):
- 5-6 free meetings with aeronautics and space professionals
- Free coaching for 3 years to prepare for competitions and selections
- Support with BIA exam registration procedures
RECENT TESTIMONIALS (2024-2025)
"I PASSED WITH HIGHEST HONORS MY BIA I GOT 19.6 OUT OF 20. I thank you enormously for all the courses and professional video conferences that allowed me to progress in the field of aeronautics. Your interactive quizzes are excellent."
"It's not easy for a young person to motivate themselves on Saturday morning to follow a course in front of a computer but Louise did it with enthusiasm every week. Louise was in 10th grade and thought at the beginning of the year that it would be too complicated for her but, by making the necessary efforts, she was able to follow easily throughout the year."
"At first I wasn't particularly passionate about aeronautics but I just wanted to know more and have an additional diploma for Parcoursup. But now thanks to everything you taught me I realized that I love the field of aeronautics and space and that I hope one day to be able to work in one of these environments!"
THE BIA: A STRATEGIC DIPLOMA
What is the BIA?
The Brevet d'Initiation à l'Aéronautique is an official diploma from the French Ministry of Education recognized by training programs and aeronautics/space companies.
BIA Advantages
✈️ For Higher Education
- Major asset on Parcoursup to stand out in selective programs
- Has become almost mandatory prerequisite for aeronautics and space programs
- Proof of motivation, work capacity, and open-mindedness
🎖️ For Competitions and Selections
- Recognized in airline selections
- Required for military competitions: EOPN, EOPAN, ALAT
- Expected for ENAC (National School of Civil Aviation)
- Advantage for cadet programs
💰 For Pilot Training
- Covers 60% of private pilot license theory (PPL)
- Gives access to scholarships to finance flight hours
- Allows starting to fly at age 15 with LAPL-ABL Basic Authorization
SOCIAL COMMITMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS
Inclusion and Diversity
France-BIA integrates each year young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods and scholarship recipients who dream of working in aeronautics. Completely free training under conditions (limited places, application file submission).
Notable Events
Women's Day 2025 Webinar
With Claudie Haigneré (first French female astronaut), Brigitte Godard (astronaut physician), Chloé Carrière (aerospace engineer) and Aya Aidouni (founder of Stars Factory).
Event led by Nakia Traoré and BecomTech to highlight French women in aerospace.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Course Format
- 2 hours of instruction per week from September to April
- Live courses via videoconference
- Several time slots available: Saturday evening, Sunday, Monday evening
- Accessible from 9th grade onwards (ideally 10th, 11th or 12th grade)
Pricing
€12 per hour of instruction with a professional flight instructor holding CAEA certification and 27 years of experience