Interview with Richard Wolfskeil, Director of Maintenance 

Interview by: Alud Davies 

In mid-2018, Aviation Concepts Technical Services Inc (ACTSI) signed a 25-year lease agreement with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, with the aim of turning Subic Bay International Airport into a regional business aviation hub. The first stage of regeneration was completed in 2019, when ACTSI renovated the existing hangars into a state of art facility that can accommodate up to seven Gulfstream G650 size aircraft simultaneously.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT ACTSIS FACILITIES IN SUBIC BAY? 
Situated at the crossroads of Asia-Pacific, ACTSI’s facility is strategically positioned within the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA). ACTSI has a 18,000 Sqm facility easily accommodating large aircraft. The SBIA runway length stands at 9,000 ft. With no slot restrictions, an average flight time to Subic is only one (1) hour & forty-five (45) minutes from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and a mere three (3) hours and fifty-five (55) minutes if arriving from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Subic Bay is one of the Philippines’ top environmentally sensitive natural playgrounds when it comes to sports and adventures both on land and sea. The cool breeze welcomes you to fun in the sand, extreme water sports, yachting, invigorating treks and amazing visits to its natural parks. It offers a wide diversity of cultural attractions, regional cuisine, adult leisure and familyoriented activities, all of which makes a visit to this oasis an unforgettable adventure.

PHASE ONE OF THE HANGAR RENOVATION WAS COMPLETED IN 2019, WHEN WILL PHASE TWO BE COMPLETED?
Due to the effects of the pandemic, which placed the entire aviation industry in a state of turmoil, we have had to push back development of Phase 2 by a few years. But our Phase 1 section has ample hangar space of 55,972 sq ft or 5,200 sqm which can accommodate up to 7 G650s at any given time. Our facility is also equipped with an annex of 35,300 sq ft or 3,280 sqm for our offices, battery workshops, sheet metal and tire shops, tool crib, dedicated client office space, and FBO.

HOW HAS COVID IMPACTED ACTSI?
We have been able to still accommodate 6 MRO events this year despite the travel restrictions. We adapted quickly as a response to operating in this Covid environment. It has not been easy but we were able to accomplish this with the combined efforts of every single team member in ACTSI.

We are pleased to have found an MRO facility for our fleet that has not only met but exceeded our expectations. The responsiveness of the ACTSI Team is second to none –  Lester Ingram, Aviation Consultant Challenger Aero Aviation Corp. 

HOW HAVE YOU DEALT WITH THE CHALLENGES THAT COVID HAS BROUGHT WITH IT?
As mentioned, we had to work closely together to draft a new set of procedures that would allow us to continue to operate.
Procedures that are based on guidelines set forth by the Philippine Government, such as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Department of Transportation (DoTR) Inter Agency Task Force (IATF), & Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). As well international regulators such as ICAO, WHO, IATA, FAA, Cayman and Bermuda authorities.

AS OEMS LOOK TO EXPAND THEIR MAINTENANCE OFFERINGS, HOW WILL ACTSI STAY COMPETITIVE?
ACTSI is well positioned as a viable option to our potential customers as we continue to expand our capabilities. These approvals enable us to cater not just newer aircraft but those that are out of warranty. Being situated at Subic Bay International Airport is also an advantage due to no slot restrictions and its geographical make up. Our facility was recently upgraded to OEM standards which we are very proud of. We have a versatile group of highly skilled and rated engineers (both expat and local) who form the backbone of our MRO services. Myself, Stephen Klohr (QA Director), and Mark Moss (Maintenance Manager) are all former Gulfstream employees with 100 years of combined experience. ACTSI also has a Gulfstream approved Structures Technician and a Sheet Metal Expert, Ian McDowell, to round it off. Of course, we are all guided by the leadership of Fernando Gaspar, our President.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE MAINTENANCE SECTOR IN ASIA PACIFIC IN THE COMING YEARS?
We expect maintenance to pick up, as general maintenance services will be required to keep aircraft flight ready in the region. This pandemic has also created a shift in customer behavior which we are watching very closely. We feel that aircraft owners will want to find a more cost effective and reliable way to have their aircraft serviced in region, rather than sending their aircraft to the US for example.

WHAT CAN THE INDUSTRY EXPECT FROM ACTSI IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
We are working on expanding our approvals to include Philippine and Taiwan registered aircraft. Our sheet metal and tire shops will be active in Q1 of 2021. These will be new services that we feel will help aircraft owners whose aircraft have been parked for a good length of time in places like Hong Kong. Issues such as corrosion. and exposure to natural elements are a few of the challenges aircraft owners and operators must still manage, and we at ACTSI will be able to be address these.