Oriens Aviation places first enhanced Pilatus PC-12 NGX in the UK

30 July 2020

Press Release

Oriens Aviation, the exclusive sales and service centre for Pilatus Aircraft in the British Isles, delivered the newest ‘third-generation’ Pilatus PC-12 NGX to a private customer based in North West England today, 30 July 2020. With its stylish executive six to eight-seat interior layout, the aircraft is ideal for business and leisure use.

“It is notable we have been able to conclude this delivery to a new Pilatus customer, considering the challenging environment we are all living through,” said Oriens Aviation CEO Edwin Brenninkmeyer, crediting the Pilatus’ team in Stans, Switzerland, the supply chain and other parties who were instrumental in pulling together, despite the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

The PC-12 NGX is the newest addition to the best-selling single-engined turboprop family. Three years in the making, the NGX was unveiled during last year’s NBAA Show. It features a raft of enhancements over the PC-12 NG centred on an improved Pratt & Whitney PT6E-67XP engine, electronic propeller and, (a first in its size category) – a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system. The cabin interior is modelled on the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet, in collaboration with BMW Designworks. With 10% more window area, the cabin is notably brighter and features more headroom, compared with the earlier PC-12 NG model. The executive version features fully reclining seats and improved lumbar comfort, while the NGX can also be outfitted with the latest in WiFi connectivity. A low-speed propeller mode delivers considerably reduced cabin noise for enhanced cabin comfort. An Advanced Cockpit Environment houses Honeywell’s Epic 2.0 avionics and a touchscreen avionics controller.

“The PC-12 NGX is an outstanding performance turboprop,” said Edwin, having recently concluded flight training on the aircraft himself. “It represents excellent value for money, with an up to 1,800 nm range and a maximum cruise speed of 290 knots. To date, 20 of the latest generation model have been sold worldwide, boosting the number of PC-12s flying worldwide to over 1,750.”

*the new PC-12 NGX departing Stans, Switzerland*
*Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.*

Pandemic ‘heightens interest’ among buyers

“We are finding ourselves in a perfect storm for customer interest – not just as a versatile and sensibly priced executive aircraft (Year 2021 unit price is $ 5.5 million for a standard configured passenger aircraft), as well as in special mission, medevac roles too,” he noted.

“There is an acute emphasis on health and safety in air travel and passenger nervousness regarding the ‘big airport’ experience. These trends are reflecting the increased enquiries we are seeing among savvy entrepreneurs and business owners who want to keep their employees and families safe,” Edwin highlighted.

New Pilatus PC-12 NGX’s are now sold out for 2020, with Oriens’ next NGX delivery scheduled in mid-2021. Oriens also has access to near-new, low-time PC-12 NG inventory for UK and Ireland clients looking for immediate delivery, however.

“The PC-12 has been amazingly heroic during the pandemic, showing its versatility all over Europe, repatriating passengers, transporting Covid-19 patients and PPE,” Edwin stated. Oriens too has kept its MRO business at London Biggin Hill Airport open throughout to support essential scheduled maintenance, while adhering to social distancing processes.

Oriens’ sales team identifies ‘syndicate’ opportunities

Its bolstered sales team is ready to explore and embrace innovative new business opportunities. Sacha Demelo joined the company last year as Sales Director, from a decade with Bombardier in the UK and Canada, where he served in various sales roles within Bombardier’s Commercial and Business Aircraft divisions. “Moving to Oriens has brought me into closer contact with private customers and their unique requirements,” he says. “It is satisfying to witness first-hand the positive impact that Pilatus aircraft ownership has on our customers’ lifestyles.”

Currently Oriens is talking with a few prospective customers who are interested in putting the PC-12 onto an Air Operator’s Certificate. It sees increased prospects for UK-based shared ownership / syndicate acquisition models too and is working with partners on rolling out innovative financing packages to support such interest.

Supporting Sacha in sales, and the wider Oriens team with digital marketing and specific campaign activity, is Sales Associate James Banham. James has a background in aircraft charter and sales.

www.oriensaviation.com

www.pilatus-aircraft.com

Media contacts:

Jurgita Brenninkmeyer, Oriens Aviation

Tel: +44 (0) 7904 928928

Alison Chambers, Emerald Media Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 1420 560094/ Mobile: +44 (0) 7721 882939

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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