Decision taken on future use of abandoned private aircraft
From Jersey Airport,
05 June 2019
Ports of Jersey has assumed ownership
of an abandoned light aircraft after a public appeal in March 2019 to trace the
owner was unsuccessful.
Despite the appeal, the owner did
not come forward and attempts to pursue ownership via alternative means have
now concluded. As a result, Ports of Jersey, having assumed ownership of the
aircraft has announced what is to become of it in the future.
The single-engine Gulfstream
American AA-5A Cheetah aircraft has been parked on the airfield at Jersey
Airport for many years. Having been deregistered by the UK’s Civil Aviation
Authority in 2011 the aircraft has since been deemed beyond repair and not air
worthy.
Before steps could be made to
remove it, Ports of Jersey followed due process by publicly appealing to the
owner or someone who knew the whereabouts of the registered owner to come
forward. In the meantime, numerous approaches were made to Ports of Jersey from
both individuals and businesses offering to take over ownership and remove it
from the site. Having considered the options available, the Airport Director,
Inez Bartolo, has confirmed that the aircraft will become the property of Ports
of Jersey and remain on the airfield to be used for two future purposes.
Over the coming months the ‘shell’
of the aircraft will be relocated elsewhere on the airfield and will be used by
the airport fire crew for training purposes. The aircraft cockpit will also be
stripped and put to good use by the creation of a ‘mock up’ of a small aircraft
as part of Ports of Jersey’s CSR commitment.
Mrs Bartolo explains, “Ports of
Jersey facilitates a number of visits to the harbour and airport throughout the
year for various schools and community groups to experience for themselves life
‘behind the scenes’. Part of these familiarisation tours usually include a
visit to air traffic control, the terminal buildings and the airport fire
station. Due to timing constraints it’s very rare to be able to get on board a
working aircraft but by having a ‘mock up’ version it’s another way to engage
and educate visitors of how an aircraft works and who knows, by experiencing it
for themselves, it may encourage many youngsters to consider a future career in
the aviation world”.
Volunteer fire crews at Jersey
Airport will undertake the task of stripping out the cockpit and relocating the
aircraft shell over the coming months in the hope both will be available for
use by the end of summer 2019.
-Ends-