Absolute excellence above all else

A conversation with Nicoela McCoy, Deputy Director- General, Economic Regulation & Administration at Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) is the statutory authority responsible for aviation safety regulatory oversight throughout the Cayman Islands, and for aircraft registered in the Cayman Islands wherever they operate. CAACI oversees the Cayman Islands Aircraft Register, which is globally recognised as a reputable registry of choice A conversation with Nicoela McCoy, Deputy Director- General, Economic Regulation & Administration at Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands

The Authority works with discerning clients who appreciate an approach for stringent standards and a mandate for safety compliance, including CAACI’s customised approach to finding solutions that are tailored to their specific circumstances. The Luxury Report caught with Deputy Director-General, Economic Regulation & Administration at Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, Nicoela McCoy, who oversees the Authority’s administration alongside the jurisdiction’s aviation economic regulatory activities to find out more.

What are the main reasons your clients choose the Cayman Islands to register their aircraft?

Nicoela McCoy: They choose the Cayman Islands to be affiliated with a highly credible regulatory regime where safety is core to all that we do, while being responsive to client needs. CAACI has the ability to enter into MOUs and other structured agreements (i.e., Article 83bis arrangements) with other national aviation authorities globally in order to facilitate commercial operations and the issuance of AOCs. The jurisdiction is safe and stable with a highly developed legal system and is also a renowned international financial centre. Furthermore, the jurisdiction is protective of third-party financial interests via enacted legislation such as the Cape Town Convention. It also offers an innovative solution for lessors/financiers requiring a reputable register to facilitate the temporary registration of aircraft that are transitioning between leases or have been repossessed.

Please summarise CAACI’s strategic focus, and how this benefits those who choose your registration services.

NM: CAACI’s strategic focus is as follows: our mission statement is “To enhance aviation industry performance through effective safety & economic regulatory oversight”.

This leads into our 2021–2025 strategic priorities: the three main priorities, with the implications and benefits impacting the clients of the Cayman Islands Aircraft Registry (CIAR) are as follows:

Lead through a modernised, comprehensive and risk-based approach to regulatory oversight

This encompasses employing risk-based evaluation to optimise safety in our regulatory oversight of the CI aviation industry including all aircraft and organisations associated with the CI Aircraft Registry.

Continuously improve service delivery and innovative solution options for our stakeholders

Specific to the clients of the CI Aircraft Registry, CAACI has invested in digital solutions that aim to make registering and maintaining aircraft on the CI Aircraft Registry seamless. Our electronic data management platform VP-C Online is available to clients 24/7/365 for filing applications, as a repository for issued certifications etc. VP-C Online provides a secure way to manage relevant documentation online with convenience regardless of time zones etc. Some functionality already operational include the following:

Availability and Reservation of Registration Marks, submission of the Initial Registration Application, submission of the Finance and Legal Due Diligence/Owner Compliance documentation, Submission of the initial and renewal applications for airworthiness, Flight Operations certificates and Pilot License Validations and submission of applications and supporting documentation from Approved Maintenance Organisations (AMOs) and Continued Airworthiness Management Organisations (CAMOs). Additional phases are still being innovated for future release. And, finally, we aim to:

Develop and sustain a high-performing, complimentary and cohesive professional team committed to organisational excellence

CAACI also invests in its greatest resources – its human capital resources with technical and professional development training for its staff and any independent contractors involved in regulatory oversight. With shrewd hiring practises, CAACI aims to recruit the best in category for technical and economic regulation as well as higher level administrative support management and staff, fostering a philosophy of excellence for internal and external client service and relationships.

Further information – caacayman.com/aircraft-registry/