UK Pilatus service centre and sales distributor Oriens Aviation will offer EASA PC-12 SET class rating pilot training from January 2019 from its London Biggin Hill facility.

In a newly-ratified partnership with Oysterair, an ATO specialising in SET training, trainees will cover EASA and FAA-certified class rating courses, including ground and flight instruction.

The five-day EASA PC-12 class rating course caters for a wide range of experience, from the PPL (A) holder with instrument rating and a minimum 200 flying hours' experience with 70 hours in command, right up to the most experienced pilots.

“We know that a big obstacle for Pilatus PC-12 operations in the UK is the lack of pilots," comments Oriens CEO Edwin Brenninkmeyer. "With the PC-12 classified in the single pilot high performance aeroplane (SP HPA) category, the traditional flying schools in the UK do not have such expertise. This is why we are pleased to team with Oysterair and its experienced specialist pilot instructors.

"We will be configuring our hangar facility to create a dedicated classroom. Demand is high and we are looking forward to delivering bespoke training based on pilots' needs.”

Oysterair MD Jonathan Shooter adds: “We are delighted to be working with Oriens Aviation to bring Pilatus PC-12 training to London Biggin Hill. We see this as a marriage of experience and expertise."

This move comes one year after Oriens launched Oriens Maintenance, following the acquisition of the Avalon Aero facility at London Biggin Hill. The business is steadily growing and will be handling 20 PC-12s from next year, in addition to other business turboprops and Cessna Citation types.

Brenninkmeyer started training for his pilot's licence aged 14. An experienced PC-12 pilot and ambassador of Pilatus in the UK, he has amassed 4,300 flying hours and flew some 150 PC-12 demo hours in 2018.