With an eye toward solidifying its status as a major European Pilatus PC-12 repair station, as well as the exclusive Pilatus dealer for the British Isles, Oriens Aviation has purchased the Avalon Aero MRO facility at London Biggin Hill Airport and will rebrand it as Oriens Aviation Limited. The purchase will give the Pilatus Aircraft-authorized service center the ability to also support the Cessna 421/550/551 and 560, Hawker 1000, and Piaggio P.180 Avanti.

The deal includes the transfer of Avalon’s existing lease on a 18,000-sq-ft hangar. Avalon’s seven employees will join the Oriens staff. 

After 17 years at Biggin Hill, Avalon founder and chairman John Glancy will concentrate his attention on the company’s facility at Cranfield Airport, where it provides line and base maintenance for the BAe 146.

“We are very pleased that the Avalon business at Biggin Hill is being passed to Oriens Aviation,” he said. “The PC-12 and, in the future, the PC-24, newly EASA and U.S. FAA certified, are an excellent fit for the existing facility, and we are particularly pleased that the core of loyal Avalon engineers has been trained on the PC-12 and will be staying on under the Oriens banner.”