WINCHESTER —The area’s airport became a bigger player in the flight industry Tuesday evening with the unveiling of ProJet Aviation’s new hangar and certified charter plane.

ProJet Aviation, a charter flight business, unveiled its new hangar and Piaggio Avanti II jet during a Tuesday evening ceremony at Winchester Regional Airport. (Photo by Scott Mason)

ProJet Aviation, a charter flight business, unveiled its new hangar and Piaggio Avanti II jet during a Tuesday evening ceremony at Winchester Regional Airport.
(Photo by Scott Mason)

“It’s an extraordinary thing they have accomplished,” state Sen. Jill H. Vogel, R-Warrenton, said during a ceremony at Winchester Regional Airport. “Their effort and investment in the community is important.”

Just 21/2 years after launching talks about starting a charter aviation business in Winchester, ProJet founders Shye Gilad and Paul Kosubinsky, both former airline pilots, have put $3 million into building facilities at the airport.

Though it has provided space for three corporate flight departments and manages one, ProJet expanded its own charter services with a new Piaggio Avanti II jet, making it the first certified turbine aircraft operator at the airport.

The new corporate hanger is the second phase and add-on to the original ProJet facilities that were finished in October, about 31/2 years ahead of original plans.

“[ProJet has] generated a lot of jobs and revenue for the airport,” said Serena “Renny” Manuel, executive director of the airport. “It’s an opportunity for us to expand.”

ProJet built the infrastructure and increased the base of the airport so the Airport Authority didn’t have to incur debt in an economically difficult time, Manuel said.

The only other aircraft hangar at the airport is full, she said, so airport officials haven’t had space to accommodate more plane owners, especially those with larger aircraft.

“A lot of local businesses use charter service,” said Gilad, ProJet’s chief executive officer.

ProJet sold 200 hours of flight time on its new Piaggio Avanti II before the plane ever showed up.

The company plans to add three aircraft per year for the next five years, including a Gulfstream next year.

Pat Goodman, who owns a hangar at the airport and has worked as a pilot, said chartered flights can often save money for organizations and people whose destinations or schedules do not coordinate well with the major airlines.

ProJet Aviation has invested $3 million at the airport and added substantially to the local tax base, Vogel said. “Most importantly, they provide vital services to other industries.”

“It’s nice to feel like a part of the community,” Gilad said, “to feel like Winchester is our home.”

ProJet Aviation will host a career fair next month at its Winchester Regional Airport facilities for anyone interested in exploring careers in the flight industry. For more information about the company, log on to www.projetaviation.com.