LPEM Students Take Part in Aircraft Construction

On Wednesday 6 May 2026, the Lycée privé Emile Metz (LPEM) presented a new educational project at a hangar at Luxembourg Airport in Findel, where students are taking part in the construction of an aircraft.

The project, carried out as part of the school’s aircraft mechanic training programme, involves students from the programme in all stages of building an ultralight motorised aircraft, from assembly to commissioning. According to Luxembourg’s Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, the initiative aims to prepare students for the realities of the profession while strengthening the attractiveness of vocational training.

Participants included Claude Meisch, Luxembourg’s Minister of Education, Children and Youth, and Pascal Thill, director of LPEM.

Speaking to Chronicle.lu, Bert Molitor, teacher and coordinator of the LPEM aircraft project, explained that the initiative first emerged in 2022. After receiving approval from the school’s management, the team moved into its hangar in September 2025 and began work on the aircraft in November of the same year. He noted that, although components such as the fuselage and engine come from abroad, “the aircraft is built here in Luxembourg by the students of Lycée privé Emile Metz” and is expected to be registered under the Luxembourg aviation code “LX-LPEM”, referencing the school’s name.

Pascal Thill added: “Since 1979, we as the Lycée Privé-Émy-Metz, offer the vocational training of the aircraft mechanic and in that context we always look for new opportunities to develop that programme and to give opportunities to our students.” He further explained that the project gives students a greater sense of responsibility, noting that the aviation sector requires "high levels of precision" and accountability.

Explaining the hands-on work process, he said: “It’s always four students working together with two of their teachers on the plane. The project is also supervised by the Direction de l’Aviation Civile in every aspect, and it is expected to be completed within three to four years.”

According to the ministry, the aircraft selected by the school is a tandem two-seater “Nando Groppo Trail” with a metal structure and foldable wings. It measures 6.3 metres in length with a wingspan of 8.5 metres. Its maximum take-off weight is 600 kg and its cruising speed is 170 km/h.