The H+S Aviation Story

H+S Aviation Limited was founded by the Hawes family in 1946 as Hants and Sussex Aviation and in 2016, we celebrated our 70th Anniversary. In those 70+ years, H+S Aviation has seen many changes, but as a testament to the quality of our service and company culture, we are still providing exceptional aircraft engine support.

The first Hants and Sussex office was located in Bognor Regis above, the archway of what was then the Bailey family business of builders and estate agents The company’s first workshop was in Fratton, Portsmouth and comprised of an estimated 140 square metres. We relocated to the edge of the former site of Portsmouth Municipal Airport in 1947 and have been here ever since.

Building Seven Decades of Engine Expertise

Hants & Sussex Aviation Ltd. founded by A.H.Hawes, W.E.Hawes, A.E.Hawes & F.G.Lewis with workshops in Portsmouth and Bognor Regis – The company mainly focused on government contracts for demolition of surplus WWII aircraft and engines.

Both workshops relocated to Portsmouth Municipal Airport

Aircraft scrap work reduced, while aircraft maintenance and piston engine repair and overhaul activities started

Designed and constructed the prototype Hants & Sussex Herald single seat ultra-light aircraft

Became first independent aircraft piston engine overhaul facility to have a correlated Dynamometer Test Cell

Constructed two replica Levavesseur Antoinette IV aircraft for the film "Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines"

Hants & Sussex Aviation Ltd. purchased by RTZ Pillar Engineering Group

Hants & Sussex Aviation absorbs Air Engine Services Ltd. at Blindley Heath, becoming Division 2 - Began first gas turbine repair and overhaul services - Rolls Royce Dart Technical Assistance Agreement

Allison Model 250 Distributorship å Portsmouth Municipal Airport closesAircraft maintenance activities cease

Hants & Sussex Division 3 opened at Portsmouth Municipal Airport - Hants & Sussex Division 4 opened in Bournemouth

Purchased the design rights for the STAD Low Pressure Air Starter

GE CT58 Technical Assistance Agreement

Purchased the design rights for the De Havilland Gypsy Major & Queen series of engines Agreement

New Division 3 facility built at Portsmouth Municipal Airport

GE CT7 Technical Assistance Agreement - R-R Nimbus Approval

Company renamed H+S Aviation

Company obtains the Queen’s Award for Industry

All activities moved to Portsmouth

H+S Aviation Ltd. purchased by MB Caradon plc.

50th Anniversary - Company then purchased by Vector Industries Ltd.

Piston engine repair and overhaul activities come to a close

Company gains Honeywell 36-100 & 36-150 approval - H+S Aviation Ltd. purchased by BBA Aviation

Company obtains Hamilton Sundstrand APS500 & APS1000 approval

H+S Aviation adds Honeywell 331-200 & 331-250 approval

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) appoints H+S Aviation as a JT15D Distributor and Designated Overhaul Facility

Dallas Airmotive’s Regional Turbine Centre relocated to Portsmouth

Propeller repair and overhaul activities cease.

H+S Aviation obtains Hamilton Standard T-62T-40-1 approval - P&WC appoints H+S Aviation as a PT6T Distributor and Designated Overhaul Facility

H+S Aviation celebrates 65 years in business, and adds GE Aviation’s CT7-8 engine maintenance capabilities

H+S Aviation achieves Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status

The company obtains 100% GE Aviation ECMP approval

H+S Aviation and Dallas Airmotive become Global Engine Services sector under BBA Aviation PLC

H+S celebrates 70 years in business, 45 years as an authorized AMROC for Rolls‑Royce M250 engines, and 30 years overhauling General Electric CT7 engines

H+S Partners with Motorflug Baden-Baden on M250 field maintenance in Germany

P&WC authorises H+S for PT6A engine MRO