L3Harris Airline Academy UK (now Acron Aviation)
UK · UK CAA ATO
L3Harris Airline Academy UK was an ab-initio airline pilot training school with UK bases at Bournemouth and later Cranfield, now operating under the Acron Aviation brand. It trains cadets to become airline first officers.
The UK academy has roots in CTC Aviation, which was sold to L3 Communications in 2015, became L3Harris in 2018 and opened a Cranfield Airport training base in 2019. In 2023 L3Harris sold its Commercial Aviation Solutions division to private equity firm TJC, and the business relaunched as the standalone Acron Aviation in 2025, with bases in the UK, US and Thailand. The academy trains under the UK CAA and EASA and shares a highly standardized global fleet of over 110 aircraft, primarily Garmin G1000 glass-cockpit trainers, alongside its Orlando Sanford, Florida base. The future of ab-initio training at the Cranfield site has been uncertain following the rebrand.
School facts
| Country | UK |
|---|---|
| Region | England (Cranfield, Bedfordshire; historically Bournemouth) |
| Base airport | Cranfield Airport (EGTC) |
| Regulator | UK CAA ATO |
| Courses | Integrated ATPL CPL IR Multi-engine airline-tagged cadet pathways |
| Fleet | Diamond aircraft and Piper Archer PA-28 with Garmin G1000 glass cockpits |
| Partnerships | easyJet British Airways |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Website | l3harrisairlineacademy.com |
Key facts
- Country: UK; bases historically at Bournemouth and Cranfield Airport
- Roots in CTC Aviation; became L3Harris (2018) then Acron Aviation (2025)
- Trains under UK CAA and EASA
- Shares a global standardized fleet of 110+ Garmin G1000 trainers with the Sanford, Florida base
- Ownership passed from L3Harris to private equity firm TJC (2023) and rebranded Acron Aviation
- Ab-initio training at Cranfield became uncertain after the rebrand
Frequently asked questions
What is the L3Harris UK academy now called?
Where were its UK bases?
What regulators does it train under?
Sources
- https://www.pilotcareernews.com/stand/l3harris-airline-academy/
- https://www.ftnonline.co.uk/2025/04/18/l3harris-flight-training-academy-sold-and-rebranded-as-acron-aviation/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acron_Aviation
- https://www.key.aero/article/l3harris-airline-academy
Last verified 2026-07-13. Professionally-public, sourced information only.