N4391J, Avian Flight Center’s Piper Cherokee 140. Photo: courtesy of Kevin Knight.

N4391J, Avian Flight Center’s Piper Cherokee 140. Photo: courtesy of Kevin Knight.

A Keystone at the Bremerton Airport

Avian Flight Center, located at Bremerton National Airport (KPWT), is the Olympic Peninsula's only full service flight center and FBO. We offer aircraft rental, flight instruction, charter flights, aircraft maintenance inspections and repair, a PSI testing center, and much more.

The story of Avian Flight Center begins with the history of Avian Aeronautics, our original aircraft repair facility. Started in 1986 by sole proprietor Patrick Heseltine and incorporated in 1996, Avian Aeronautics became highly regarded throughout the Northwest with customers coming from as far as California and Montana. Using the mechanics combined experience of over eighty-five years, Avian grew to offer all aspects of aircraft maintenance from engine and cylinder overhaul and repair to routine airframe maintenance. This continuous growth, combined with a 1940’s era hangar that leaked in the Pacific Northwest rain, created a need for a larger and modern facility.

In the summer of 2002, construction began for a new facility at Bremerton National Airport. This would provide the needed space not only for Avian Aeronautics, but also for a new FBO and flight school. That is when Avian Flight Center was born. Pat Heseltine’s background as a pilot includes over 5000 hours of flight time, including crop dusting, fire fighting, and charter services. Starting Avian Flight Center was a perfect opportunity to combine his flying experiences with his current business. The flight center tripled its size in the first two years of operation and continues to grow. The new facility includes a classroom, student pilot briefing offices, pilot lounge and kitchen, as well as a PSI testing center and an AATD flight simulator.

Patrick Heseltine, the owner of Avian Flight Center and Avian Aeronautics.

Patrick Heseltine, the owner of Avian Flight Center and Avian Aeronautics.

Additional Stories About Avian

AOPA Pilot, April 2020, “Never Again: Floatplane Pain."
http://aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/april/pilot/never-again-floatplane-pain

AOPA Pilot, July 2016, “Bremerton’s Breathtaking Beauty” and “Family-Owned FBO"
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2016/august/pilot/fly-in