Oriens Aviation, the exclusive
British Isles Pilatus Centre, has reinforced its commitment to the world’s
best-selling single engine turboprop (SET), the Pilatus PC-12 and the growing
SET commercial operations’ market in Europe by acquiring Avalon Aero’s business
aviation MRO facility at London Biggin Hill Airport.
The business will be formally
renamed and inaugurated as Oriens Aviation Limited effective immediately, with a
view to becoming the principal authorised PC-12 Service Centre in the UK by 29th
January, 2018. (Oriens’ activity extends to an agreement with Goodwood
Engineering, who will act as a satellite service centre).
Oriens will also have the
expertise, as a result of the acquisition, to support other aircraft types for
all line and base maintenance activity. These include:
- Cessna 421/550/551/560
- Hawker Beechcraft BAE 125
Series 1000
- Piaggio P180 Avanti
The deal between the owner of
Avalon and the Oriens Aviation Board was ratified on 1st December, 2017,
including the transfer of the existing Avalon Aero lease on its 18,000 sq ft
hangar. Ahead of the deal Oriens appointed an additional member of its senior
management team in October 2017 to work alongside the existing seven-strong team
which Oriens is absorbing.
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Photo: Gary Stone, Stone
Photography. |
Newly appointed Director of
Engineering Dave Plumpton
brings significant aviation and strong customer support experience from the
challenging airline and VIP aircraft environment for almost 40 years.
Steve Westran
from Avalon Aero will work alongside him and continue to be responsible for the
daily operations of the hangar and maintenance services.
“We are delighted to have
ratified this purchase and further grow our relationship with Pilatus Aircraft,
which first began in early 2015,” commented Oriens Aviation CEO
Edwin Brenninkmeyer.
“Expanding our offering means we can further assist new customers in helping
them plan and budget for their maintenance support, provide technical record
keeping on the PC-12 and offer hangarage too. The ability to offer line and base
maintenance complements the support we currently provide our customers.”
Avalon’s founder and
Chairman John Glancey
had been seeking to exit the business aviation support arena after 17 years at
Biggin Hill and concentrate activity at Cranfield Airport, where Avalon supports
line and base maintenance for the BAe 146 family.
“We are very pleased that the
Avalon business at Biggin Hill is being passed to Oriens Aviation. The PC -12
and in the future, the Pilatus PC-24, newly EASA and US FAA certificated, are an
excellent fit for the existing facility and we are particularly pleased that the
core of loyal Avalon engineers have been trained on the PC-12 and will be stay
on under the Oriens banner.”
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Photo: Gary Stone, Stone
Photography. |
The Pilatus PC-12 can fly up to
eight passengers in a luxury pressurized cabin, for up to 1,800 miles, at 320
mph and at 30,000 feet. The PC-12 features a generous cargo door and can operate
from small airfields of 800 m, from gravel strips and grass, combining to make
it one of the most versatile and practical aircraft. It can carry more payload
than most for half the money.
With a price tag of USD 5
million, it can be a business aircraft / an air ambulance (able to convert
inside an hour) a cargo aircraft and everything in between. It also holds the
best residual value in its class, retaining 80% of its value after 10 years. The
PC-12 has operated in the Arctic Circle, the African Plains and is a regular
stable with Australia’s time crucial Flying Doctors. Its reputable single engine
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turbine is a legendary workhorse.
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