General Atomics

Oriens Aviation marks 10 years of operation

Oriens Aviation is celebrating 10 years of operations this month, having recently settled into its expanded hangar facilities at its London Biggin Hill Airport HQ.



Image courtesy Oriens Aviation


The company is looking forward to imminently welcoming an additional PC-12 on to its Air Operator’s Certificate, which will primarily be tasked with air ambulance missions.  

Later this Spring it will add the first PC-24 to its charter operation, alongside an existing Part-NCC HondaJet.  

Oriens Aviation has diversified and grown significantly since it was first incorporated in 2015 by CEO Edwin Brenninkmeyer, with one employee.  It has evolved into a thriving Authorised Centre for Pilatus and Tecnam and since summer 2022, a Cirrus Aircraft MRO partner.
 
Originally founded as a consultancy helping start-up companies write business plans and secure funding in the very light jet (VLJ) sector, Oriens Aviation today supports a 43-strong workforce in various sales, operations and MRO disciplines. Oriens invests in the local community through its apprenticeship scheme and has ambitious plans for its MRO expansion.
 
Oriens’ Top 10 highlights over the decade:

  1. Nearly 70 aircraft sales transactions completed.
  2. Nearly 100,000 manhours of aircraft maintenance performed on various light jets / PC-12, PC-24 aircraft, since the business started.
  3. Regularly handled two aircraft at the MRO facility for scheduled maintenance, at any one time, in addition to drop in requests.
  4. Averaged four AOG requests a month.
  5. Supported aircraft on six aircraft registries, including a special mission (defence) aircraft.
  6. Granted its AOC for Pilatus PC-12 aircraft from the UK Civil Aviation Authority in 2023 to offer aircraft management and charter services.
  7. Supported a major North of England Pilatus customer scale up its operation to include multiple PC-12s, as well as a PC-24.  
  8. Provided multiple flights aboard the PC-12 for Fly2Help, the charity which gifts memorable flights to terminally ill children and their families.
  9. CEO Edwin Brenninkmeyer, who learned to fly aged 14 and gained his Private Pilot’s Licence at 17, served as a business ambassador to Aerobility, the leading charity teaching disabled pilots to fly.
  10. Oriens is also marking 10 years supporting Pilatus Aircraft this February. At least six PC-24s are scheduled to come to Oriens this year for annual inspections.

Edwin Brenninkmeyer commented: “We have made great strides over the past decade and I want to thank our fantastic team of exceptional employees for their continued support and dedication. We are now in a strong position for the next ten years to take advantage of some significant advancements in aviation technology coming to market.  We are following these developments with great interest.

“We will be looking to help our customers, suppliers and employees achieve more. We strive to be the first aviation service provider the UK general aviation industry think of, whether they require help with sales, maintenance or operations support.”

Oriens Aviation will be attending AERO Friedrichshafen, Germany (9th-12th April) and Private Flyer Fest (16th-17th May) at Wycombe Air Park, Bucks, UK.

Related

CAA cuts red tape to accelerate airspace modernisation and support drone innovation
UK airspace modernisation NATS
CAA cuts red tape to accelerate airspace modernisation and support drone innovation
The UK CAA is streamlining its CAP1616 airspace change process, cutting regulatory burdens for modernisation, drones and new aviation technologies.
Aerospace

15 Sep 2026

Global Technologies Racing becomes GTR Composites Group
GTR Composites Group assembly
Global Technologies Racing becomes GTR Composites Group
The company has rebranded to reflect its development as a composite engineering specialist, delivering solutions for sectors including aerospace and defence.
Digital Catapult launches Industry Challenge Led Accelerator
UK Digital Twin Centre
Digital Catapult launches Industry Challenge Led Accelerator
The new Digital Catapult programme enables UK SMEs to connect with industry leaders to accelerate digital twin adoption and explore the application of deep tech innovations in the aerospace and defence sectors.
DVD2026: Five key defence trends shaping the British Army’s future
Image: DVD
DVD2026: Five key defence trends shaping the British Army’s future
From vehicle modernisation and autonomous warfare to digital integration and a new approach to SME access, DVD2026 is set to offer some important clues about where the UK Armed Forces’ land capability and procurement projects are heading.
Defence Events

15 Sep 2026

British Army riflemen test new anti-drone tactics
Riflemen shooting down drones
British Army riflemen test new anti-drone tactics
Soldiers from the British Army have trialled a new approach to countering drone threats, combining acoustic and radio frequency sensors, section weapons and the Mossberg 590M shotgun, to detect, track and neutralise attack drones.
Defence

15 Sep 2026

Global Technologies Racing becomes GTR Composites Group
GTR Composites Group assembly
Global Technologies Racing becomes GTR Composites Group
The company has rebranded to reflect its development as a composite engineering specialist, delivering solutions for sectors including aerospace and defence.
AccelerComm awarded ESA regenerative 5G satellite network contract
5G NTN
AccelerComm awarded ESA regenerative 5G satellite network contract
The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected AccelerComm to help build one of Europe's first regenerative 5G base stations that directly run onboard satellites, shifting away from today's 'bent-pipe' satellites that simply relay signals back to the ground.
Member News Space

15 Sep 2026

The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
ADS Advance magazine - the drone age- is out today
The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
Leading experts examine where UK drone capability is advancing, where gaps remain and what industry and government need to fix next.
Skyrora completes hot-fire testing of advanced LEO engine
Skyrora engine test
Skyrora completes hot-fire testing of advanced LEO engine
Skyrora has conducted hot fire testing of its LEO engine at its Midlothian facility in Loanhead, demonstrating the potential of stronger, lightweight parts for future propulsion systems.
Member News Space

11 Sep 2026

UK defence tech firms struggle to turn successful trials into contracts
British Army
UK defence tech firms struggle to turn successful trials into contracts
A Barclays report finds strong confidence among UK defence tech firms but warns procurement and finance barriers are making it harder for companies to scale.
Defence Security

15 Sep 2026

The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
ADS Advance magazine - the drone age- is out today
The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
Leading experts examine where UK drone capability is advancing, where gaps remain and what industry and government need to fix next.
Isembard opens London’s largest factory since WWII
Isembard's global HQ and factory in Southwark
Isembard opens London’s largest factory since WWII
By opening the capital's largest factory since the Second World War in Southwark, Isembard is establishing a global head office that will also serve as a working precision factory that will enhance sovereign capability and deliver solutions for aerospace, defence and robotics customers, worldwide.
Aerospace Defence Security

14 Sep 2026