|
Specialists in the Sourcing, Restoration & Operation of Ex-Military & Civilian Collectors Aircraft |
Since Personal Plane Services Ltd was founded in 1947 it has remained at the pinnacle of restoration & maintenance of collectors’ aircraft and today is internationally acknowledged as one of the foremost restoration companies of fine historic aircraft. The company has gone from strength to strength with a project list that is second to none - collectors and museums worldwide have examples of PPS restored & maintained aircraft. The company is fully CAA / EASA approved with excellent licence coverage, we also regularly handle FAA registered aircraft, PPS Ltd is the UK’s oldest aviation company. Our wide range of expertise and knowledge developed over years enables our dedicated engineers to manage and effect major restorations, modifications, overhaul and repair to all types of aircraft with wood and fabric and metal structures to the highest possible standards using traditional materials and skills to give that special "patina".
 Our specialties are all biplanes, and WW 1 aeroplanes, wartime Bombers Fighters Trainers Seaplanes and Transport aircraft, press Restorations to see the types we have experience on. The PPS talents are not just restricted to collectors aeroplanes we have always looked after a constant flow of up to date modern aircraft, their owners appreciating that the skills of the company produce excellent quality work at a competitive price, these include up to date competition aerobatic aircraft of composite construction, see the Maintenance section for aircraft we have experience of. Finally our background in post overhaul flight testing and adjustments results in an aircraft that flies as the maker intended. |
|
|
Sales of Aircraft & Spares |
|
Our reputation for finding unique aircraft for private clients and museums is internationally acknowledged. We are continually discovering rare aircraft to meet collectors requirements, including examples from the dawn of aviation to the fighters and bombers of WWI & WWII through to classic biplanes and the best hand-built modern aerobatic aircraft.
|
|
Read more: Sales of Aircraft & Spares
|
|
Personal Plane Services was started in the immediate post war period by Douglas Bianchi, Doug was one of those rare aviation people who just aren't around these days, his knowledge in all things to do with aeroplanes old & new was infinite, cutting his teeth in the 30s at the Mecca’s of the English aeroplane industry, Hanworth Brooklands & Heston where his skills where honed on a multitude of British American & European aeroplane types, he was known & respected by many of the great pioneers of the period Charles Lindbergh, Willy Messerschmitt, Alex Henshaw to name but a few. |
|
Read more: Doug Bianchi
|
|
The Restoration of an aircraft for a client is a very personalized thing, some people require a totally new look, others want the appearance of having never been restored but perfectly preserved with a wonderful patina, we like to think that the latter is our speciality.
Restoration is not only an opportunity to achieve an aesthetically correct appearance but also a text book engineering standard and flying qualities to suit. This can only realistically be done with a very dedicated team of management, engineers & pilots who know all the correct processes, as one can imagine this can only be possible if you have lots of past experience, it is also the most cost effective solution.
|
|
Read more: Restorations
|
|
Aerobatic Aircraft & Company Involvement |
Since the 1950s the company has been specializing in all types of aerobatic aircraft; Stampes, Jungmanns, Jungmeisters, Zlins, Pitts Specials, Extras and Caps to name just a few.
|
|
Read more: Aerobatic Aircraft & Company Involvement
|
|
|
Tony Bianchi - Managing Director of PPS |
|
Tony joined PPS at white Waltham in 1961 after leaving school, working as an apprentice engineer gaining valuable experience on the wide variety of aircraft and engines handled by the company at the time. He learned to fly in 1964 with Airways Aero Club which enabled him by the late '60s to combine his engineering background with flight-testing, airshows and film flying. Since then he has flown 2800 hours on 200 types of aircraft including WWI & WW2 fighters and, of course, the Spitfire. |
|
Read more: Tony Bianchi - Managing Director of PPS
|
|
Bücker Jungmann A-12 / G-CCHY completed her post-restoration test flights in June/July 2009 and flew "hands-off" with no trim adjustments required. The restoration included fabric stitching in the correct style used by the Bücker factory and returning the aircraft to her WWII period Swiss A/F paint scheme, complete with correct stencils.
|
|
Read more: Bücker Jungmann
|
|
The company needs no introduction for the work it has carried out in the past. Since the early 60's, in conjunction with Bianchi Aviation Film Services we have been involved with over 150 productions, providing and building aircraft, supplying co-ordinators, pilots, crews and support anywhere in the world. |
|
Read more: Film & TV Flying
|
|
We offer maintenance services for all modern single and twin engined aircraft, as you can imagine we can give a very high standard, which includes major & minor modifications & avionic fits, spares sourcing, initial certification, major accident & damage repair, flight testing & ferrying.
Our CAA approvals are B1, M3, M5 and FAA coverage if required.
|
|
Read more: Aircraft Maintenance
|
|
|
