HARTLEY Elder has been promoted to the role of director of civil aviation.

Mr Elder was formerly the deputy director of civil aviation. His appointment as director comes after Brian Johnson left the role.

He will work with the team of 22 who are responsible for the continuing development and growth of the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry.

Mr Elder joined the Registry in 2008 bringing with him more than 30 years of aircraft maintenance, airworthiness and engineering experience in both the public and private sector.

Prior to joining the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry he was the technical officer - airworthiness with the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal.

He has also held senior positions at the UK Civil Aviation Authority where he was in charge of a policy and requirements section leading senior airworthiness surveyors and prior to that worked for British Airways as a technical support engineer in the operations centre.

The Isle of Man Aircraft Registry has been highly successful in attracting business since starting operations on May 1 2007.

The Registry is now the eighth largest business jet register in the world (according to Flightglobal), and has registered a total of 408 aircraft in the last four and a half years. 

Mr Elder said: "When I joined the registry in 2008 it was still in its formative stage and over the last three years I have seen it go from strength to strength, expanding more than 50 per cent since May 2010 alone.

"This growth has happened without sacrificing standards, quality and service, and I am proud to have been part of the team, led by Brian Johnson.

"With the number of aircraft on the register growing rapidly, the role of director of civil aviation brings many challenges, but I believe I have the knowledge and experience to take on this role and develop the registry, ensuring it remains a successful and well-regulated operation."

Last month it was announced Mr Johnson had been appointed director of operations for Appleby Aviation.