Cessna service center launched in St. Petersburg

Popularization of general aviation makes slow but steady progress in Russia, with operation of light aircraft gradually turning from a rare hobby into an industry of its own. St. Petersburg-based AVEX — Russia’s only authorized service center of Cessna Aircraft Company - received an  MRO certificate in July 2011, becoming the first, and so far only, business in Russia capable of providing maintenance services on almost the entire model range of Cessna single-engine piston aircraft.

AVEX began building its Cessna MRO competence several years ago and has been progressing at a fairly fast pace. The company’s projected workload approaches 1,000 man-hours a year, its expertise extending to some models that are relatively rarely seen in Russia, including the Remos GX, Husky A-1, Extra, etc. AVEX also deals in GA aircraft, and plans to eventually launch an own production facility. President Igor Dushenko says the company may consider starting local assembly of Remos GX aircraft if there is enough demand for this model in Russia. For this plan to become reality, however, the status of AVEX’s base airfield Kasimovo has to be determined first.

Fedor Borisov