On December 7, the world observed International Civil Aviation Day, which has been celebrated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation since 1994, and was officially recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996.
In reference to the day, Stabroek News is featuring five local women in aviation. Below, in their own words, they share their journeys in a profession that is male dominated.
“I was born and raised in Region Four, along Guyana’s low coastal plain. Many mornings, I was awakened by the sounds of planes flying overhead. It didn’t dawn on me as yet but that might have been where my interest in aviation originated. Years later, I hadn’t decided whether I wanted to become a pilot or an aeronautical engineer. I wasn’t quite sure which I was more passionate about. So, I decided to first complete my secondary school education at Marian Academy and then, Queen’s College. Then I started to look into flight schools abroad, particularly in places with cultures similar to my Guyanese culture. I wanted a “familiarisation” flight that would allow me to sit in a plane with a certified flight instructor and experience what it was like to be at the controls be it the take-offs, landings, and manoeuvring of the aircraft. I wanted this experience so I knew I was making the right decision to pursue an aviation career.