Renowned Guyanese pilot, Malcolm Chan-a-Sue, was on Monday posthumously honoured for his exemplary role in Guyana’s aviation sector.
His wife, Margaret Chan-a-Sue, received the reward on his behalf at a National Aviation Safety Seminar held at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, which was facilitated by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA).
Mrs Chan-a-Sue who worked as a flight attendant for several years at British Airways, expressed her gratitude at being the recipient of such a prestigious award on her husband’s behalf. The former flight attendant noted that her husband’s dedication to the aviation sector was well known. She herself was also presented with token of appreciation for her stewardship in the aviation sector.
Malcolm Chan-a-Sue, who died in 2021 at the age of 82, had also been hailed for his contributions to the industry by the Director General of the GCAA, retired Lieutenant Colonel Egbert Field. He was also a co-founder of the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School which is based at the Eugene F Correia International Airport at Ogle, East Coast Demerara.
On October 30, 2021, Chan-a-Sue and his wife Margaret were involved in an accident at High and Barrack Streets, Kingston. They both had to be hospitalised. However, several weeks later, the aviator succumbed to his injuries.
Chan-A -Sue was the Chief pilot of Guyana Airways Corporation, Operations Manager of Guyana Airways Corporation, and Director of Operations of Guyana Air 2000.
At the aviation safety seminar on Monday, Field spoke glowingly of Chan-a-Sue.
“He played a major part in the growth and development of what is today the Eugene F Correia International Airport at Ogle, and will remain long in the memory of the numerous pilots, flying today, whom he trained and tutored, and all of us in aviation, who have benefited from his advice and wisdom.
“He was very strict and disciplined, like many others I was fortunate to train under him, and it was a great privilege.
“Malcom’s wife because of her involvement in the aviation sector was many times referred to as the ‘Deputy Chief Pilot’, because she was always aware of what was happening about aircraft technicalities, and she was highly respected,” he added.
Meanwhile, another Guyanese Aviator, Michael Chan-Choong, was awarded for his exemplary service in the aviation service by Advisor for National Security, Captain Gerald Gouveia.
Chan-Choong, a Queen’s College alumnus, in his remarks at the seminar stressed the importance of demonstrating servanthood in the aviation sector. He remarked that during his years of service, aviation safety was of key importance since the lives of passengers were at stake. He stressed that pilots are required to go above and beyond the call of duty in their efforts to pursue aviation safety.
Chan-Choong served as Captain at BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) which eventually merged with three other airlines to become British Airways, from 1968 to 1999.
According to Field, “Michael Chan-Choong, was the first Guyanese pilot to serve at the BOAC, which inspired him [Field] to join the aviation sector.”
“I used to look up as a small boy from the jungle at the silver BOAC jets flying high above and dreamed of one day becoming a pilot,” Field added.
