Unique private public partnership for the Guernsey aircraft registry

The Commerce and Employment Department, on behalf of the States of Guernsey, and SGI Aviation have concluded an agreement for the development and operation of an aircraft registry in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The agreement establishes a unique public-private partnership, whereby the responsibility for the operational aspects of the public service of an aircraft registry will be outsourced to SGI Aviation as a private provider. The initial development phase is expected to take approximately 14 - 18 months, after which the registry will become fully operational, with a launch date set for mid-2013. The day to day operation of the registry will be managed by SGI Guernsey, a subsidiary of SGI Aviation which will be incorporated in Guernsey specifically for this purpose early in 2013. The aircraft registry is expected to achieve 150 Guernsey registered aircraft by 2015. Resident aircraft owners and operators from the Channel Islands will form the initial primary group of users. The Guernsey registry will differentiate itself from competitors through its unique tax advantages, operational flexibility and targeted marketing. SGI intends to draw on its international network of inspectors and unique expertise to add value to the proposition. The registration prefix is anticipated to be the number '2', followed by four letters (e.g. '2-ABCD'), allowing unique and attractive letter combinations.
www.gov.gg

EASA certifies aircraft types under new Light Sports Aircraft specifications

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the first types in a newly created certification category for light aircraft. Following the PS-28 Cruiser from Czech Sport Aircraft and the Flight Design CTLS-ELA, the Evektor SportStar RTC is the third aircraft type to be certified under new specifications designed specifically for Light Sports Aircraft (LSA). Aeroplanes in this category have up to two seats and a mass of less than 600kg. EASA has been actively working to address feedback from industry and operators stating that the regulatory framework applying to recreational aircraft is too burdensome. The publication in June 2011 of new Certification Specifications for LSA (CS-LSA), based on international standards, was the first result of this work. It has now allowed LSA to be certified and operated in Europe.
www.easa.europa.eu

Jet Aviation Basel creates two independently managed organizations

Jet Aviation has reorganised its facility in Basel, Switzerland, into two independently managed organisations covering completions and maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO). The company's initiative is driven largely by the difficult economic environment, with an ongoing industry-wide slowdown and other unfavorable conditions, including the strong Swiss Franc. In addition, the death of a customer led to the unexpected cancellation of the Boeing 747-8 cabin interior VVIP completions project which was due to arrive in Basel this spring. Despite the current cost-reduction initiatives and efforts to generate new business, the company intends to reduce the number of permanent jobs in management, production and non-production in completions and maintenance by approximately 250 through the end of 2012. Jet Aviation Basel will enter a consultation phase in accordance with Swiss Labor Law which will conclude on June 13. The company will then communicate the outcome of the consultation phase and the final headcount reduction on June 22, 2012.
Following these initiatives, Jet Aviation anticipates that the new completions and maintenance organizations in Basel will continue to employ approximately 1,000 workers.
www.jetaviation.com

People: Wadick Chomyszyn - CEO and Chief Technical Officer at SGI Aviation

Wadick Chomyszyn is the Chief Executive Officer of SGI Aviation. During a career spanning more than 30 years in the commercial aviation industry, he has specialized in technical services and asset management. In 2003 Mr. Chomyszyn and three colleagues established International Aircraft Management (IAM) B.V., which they sold to SGI Aviation in 2007. As Executive Vice President Technical of IAM B.V., Mr. Chomyszyn structured, managed, and realized complex international aircraft operating leases and purchase and sales transactions for third parties totalling €230 million over a four-year period. While he was developing a strong customer base for IAM, he also provided expert advice to Finance Lease Risk Management teams. Prior to this, Mr. Chomyszyn was a Senior Technical Manager for ING Lease International Equipment Management, a company he joined in 1996. In this position, he was responsible for ING’s lease portfolio consisting of 50 aircraft on-lease around the world. Mr. Chomyszyn was responsible for ING’s aircraft transfers, sales, and asset management in Europe, Africa and Asia. Trained at the Dutch aviation school and then by Transavia Airlines Technical Division, Mr. Chomyszyn completed numerous major technical projects for Transavia, including one in Djibouti. The success of that project was instrumental in his being given responsibility for overseeing heavy maintenance visits and new purchase projects for Transavia. In this role, he was the airline resident representative to The Boeing Company, where he personally oversaw the delivery of new aircraft on the company’s behalf.
www.sgiaviation.com