Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill on Friday met with the newly formed Pilots’ Association of Guyana and cited the need for more helicopter aviators.
According to a press release from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Edghill also identified three areas of priority: training of pilots, safety and current opportunities within the aviation sector in Guyana. Principal among the matters discussed by Edghill was facilitating expansion and development for the sector and businesses by attracting investment from reputable airlines for more modern and larger aircraft to operate in Guyana, including from Asia, European and the African markets.
With the advent of the Oil and Gas industry, there is a need for more helicopter pilots to service the sector. To this end, Edghill said that Government intends to engage stakeholders through partnerships, joint ventures and affirmative government action to have more locally trained helicopter pilots available for the aviation sector in Guyana. Director General of the GCAA, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, who accompanied the minister, said that the GCAA has included a component of Local Content Policy within its revised regulations to ensure Guyanese are employed by foreign operators conducting business in Guyana.
The meeting was held at the Wings Aviation Hangar at Ogle, East Coast Demerara. Edghill was accompanied by ministerial advisor on aviation, Lenox Shuman and Director General Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field and senior officials of the GCAA. The meeting was also attended by the Director for Aviation Safety and Security Regulations – Abraham Dorris; Chief Flight Operations Inspector, Capt. Christopher Kirkcaldy; Capt. Malcolm Chan-A-Sue; President of the Pilot’s Association of Guyana Capt. Paul Ramdat and other senior executives. A large number of pilots from the various aircraft operators and Bristow Helicopters which supports ExxonMobil’s operations were also in attendance.
