But Ports of Jersey have this week sent out a more unusual appeal – to a pilot who has apparently forgotten about or mislaid a plane.
The single-engine Gulfstream American AA-5A Cheetah has been parked on the grass at the Airport for about a decade – and no one seems to know who owns it.
It has seemingly not taken to the skies for many years and was deregistered by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority in May 2011.
And if no one comes forward to claim the plane before next Monday, it will be towed away.
According to details on aviation websites, the four-seater plane, registered G-OSTU, was built in 1979 and has had several owners.
It has become something of a piece of furniture at the Airport and has slowly rusted to the point that it is no longer airworthy.
‘One day a long time ago it appeared and we didn’t know where it had come from,’ said Graham Nears, an aircraft engineer who recently left the Aero Club after about 25 years.
‘The Airport authorities then used the CAA’s G-INFO search website to trace a woman in the UK who was registered as the owner but she said she had sold it to a resident of Jersey. ‘But when he was contacted he denied all knowledge of it.
‘The plane is falling apart. It is essentially scrap,’ he added.
Ports’ notice states that if the plane, which would have fetched about £20,000 if in good condition, is not claimed by Monday the Airport director will order its removal from the airfield.
An Airport spokesman said: ‘This is a very rare occurrence. Most of the aircraft that are parked here are locally owned and registered so we know who owns them.
‘We have no contact details for the current owner so we are urging whoever owns the plane to come forward.’
