Press Release
Issued by Oriens Aviation.
December 1, 2015
Most aviation pundits will tell you that the Pilatus PC-12 NG is hard to compare to any other aircraft available for those who wish to reduce the hassle of business or family travel. Edwin Brenninkmeyer, ceo at Biggin Hill based Oriens Aviation, the company that gained the UK distribution agreement with the Swiss manufacturer in March 2015, can't believe the good news he has received that will further boost demand for the luxurious nine seat aircraft.
“It's as if our wishes for the New Year have come true!” says Edwin Brenninkmeyer. “Not only has the factory enhanced the PC-12 NG to have a greater cruise speed, better takeoff and climb performance, and a quieter cabin with more comfort, greater range, with no increase in fuel burn or operating cost, we also have news that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is planning to bring the UK in line with many countries (including the USA) and permit the PC-12 NG to fly commercially.”
Commercially is the word that most excites Edwin and his team. Until now the CAA has restricted commercial flying (charters, air ambulance, surveillance operations etc.) to the more expensive to purchase, maintain and operate twin engine aircraft. This has ensured that the cost of flying from the UK in a business aircraft has been more expensive than if you hired an aircraft to travel between other countries.
“It could still take up to 18 months for the rules to change but we will be looking to meet the new demand from charter operators with the help of the factory and other dealers. The PC-12 has always had a high residual value; a recent pre owned PC-12 NG was purchased new in 2010 for $4.6 million (USD) and recently, with a 1,000 flying hours on the clock, changed hands for $3.6 million. We expect the extra demand to push up the selling price of pre-owned PC-12s.”
It's probably obvious that twin, jet engine aircraft will cost more to buy and fly compared to a single engine turboprop aircraft like the popular PC-12 NG, but there are other factors that will please the charter market and its customer. The PC-12 NG is great at carrying a full “useful” load as its known in the industry. It has a cargo door to take advantage of the spacious cabin, wide enough to load a pallet which is not found on other aircraft of its size which means that a family can actually fly to a destination with what they need to take within 1,500 miles without stopping to refuel. The PC-12 NG is also capable of flying in and out of short, grass runways, so many of the UK's smaller airfields can be departure points and it can land nearer where you want to go, and is not restricted to larger airports. In many countries, this versatility makes the aircraft ideal for flying doctor operations where many executive aircraft could not cope with the environment and, as importantly, fit the stretcher and medical equipment in.
“There will also be demand for cpc1ommercial pilots to train for their rating if they are to professionally fly the PC-12 NG. We are looking at all aspects of this including the availability of simulators and instructors so that the industry can benefit from this change of legislation that has been awaited for so long.” said Edwin Brenninkmeyer.
