PERSONAL PLANE SERVICES LIMITED
ESTABLISHED SINCE 1948.
Curated aviation for the discerning
1977 Doug Bianchi at a Swiss airshow shaking hands with Hanna Reitsch the legendary Luftwaffe test pilot who test flew every aircraft type the Luftwaffe had before and during the war, including the piloted flying bomb. She was one of the last people to see Hitler alive. In the middle, the great Neil Williams Farnborough experimental test pilot and world aerobatic championship competitor. Such combined experience in aviation will never be seen again.
OUR AVIATION HISTORY
PPS was started in 1948 by one of British aviations best known characters, Douglas Bianchi pre war aviator,
renowned aircraft engineer and designer.
Doug’s pre war aviating at Hanworth and Brooklands followed by wartime experiences including Air Transport
Auxillary (ATA). The Berlin Airlift prompted him once war was over to start his own company.
Sales of ex
military and private aircraft to clients and engineering support. Based first at Blackbush airfield and later at
White Waltham. In the 1950’s Doug was the go to person for his expertise and advice. This produced a
flourishing business for the company - In the late 50’s Doug and PPS became a British aircraft
manufacturer producing the French CP301 Piel Emeraude under license.
Later in the early 60’s Doug’s
company became the first constructor and operator of replica antique aircraft for the film industry, building
and operating aircraft for the 20th Century Fox production “Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines” followed by the first war epic “The Blue Max”..
PPS over the years provided aircraft and crew for over 100
film productions including “A Bridge to Far” “The Eagle has Landed” “Aces High” “Mosquito Squadron”
By the late 60’s and now based at Booker airfield, PPS expanded to a family run company specialising in the
restoration of rare vintage aircraft with loyal customers and collectors from all over the world . Since Doug’s
earliest days aerobatic aircraft were always a speciality including many years of engineering support for the
Rothmans Aerobatic Team to add the company portfolio.
In the 70’s the company acquired the sole UK agency for Mudry Cap aerobatic aircraft. PPS company pilots promoting Warbird and aerobatic display flying
plus competing in international aerobatic contests. This led to aircraft sales and the UK’s first full time
aerobatic school.
At Booker airfield with larger premise’s the company began specialising in the restoration of rare first and
second war aircraft including, Spitfires, Mosquitoes and other rare types culminating in 2012 with the unique
Spitfire MK1a restoration and winning the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation trophy at the Goodwood Revival.
A boom period of over 50 years in aircraft restoration work, film industry contracts and aircraft sales that
gave PPS an unparalleled background in British aviation. In 2016 the company’s directors, relocated to
Turweston airfield to concentrate on aviation technical advisory work, specialist aircraft sales, classic and
sport aircraft maintenance and flying nice aeroplanes.
Today the UK’s oldest aviation company continues to be run by Tony Bianchi and his wife Pia - still offering
the same personal service to clients….
The same family name at it’s concept in 1948 and carrying on Doug Bianchi's philosophy.…