Y-12 training for GDF pilots, technicians and engineers concludes

May 27, 2012 News

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Five pilots and 23 technicians and engineers of the Guyana Defence Force, together with a member of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, on Friday, last, concluded specialist training provided by the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) for the GDF. The programme wrapped up at the GDF Air Corps hangar at Timehri.
In opening remarks at the closing ceremony Commanding Officer, GDF Air Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Cargill Kyte indicated that, prior to the training, his unit suffered a deficiency in relation to the operation and maintenance of its HARBIN Y-12 aircraft, which had also impacted its service delivery to the Force and Guyanese communities.

“That deficiency will be significantly diminished from today, with the graduation of the pilots, engineers and technicians who have successfully completed this programme,” he said.
“The course has had a 100% success rate and six of its graduates are now eligible to have their licences endorsed by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Well trained operational and maintenance staff enhances safety and operational efficiency. For this training to be effective, pilots, engineers and technicians must be able to apply their skills in the real world and the full effect is to be felt in the coming months.”
Flight Operations and Oversight Manager of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority and Transnational Inspector for the Regional Aviation Safety Oversight, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field, administered the flight examinations to the trainee pilots for the Type Rating on their licences, in keeping with GCAA standards.
Awards for excellent performance were presented to Major Mohinder Ramjag (Pilot), Sergeant Roopnarine Budhoo (Airframe and Engines) and Civilian Rajendradat Lall (Avionics).
CATIC Project Manager, Mr. Li Ning, expressed his delight at the successful completion of the programme and his gratefulness to the GDF for the diligent and thoughtful work of the GDF’s Officers and Other Ranks who all worked to ensure his training team’s comfort and success in the conduct of their work.
While thanking the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Guyana for its support, Mr. Li said that CATIC was committed to providing satisfactory technical services to the GDF for the sound operation of the Y-12 aircraft.
“Now that the Y-12 training is completed successfully, the personnel of the GDF are well qualified to operate the aircraft: the pilots are very skilled in flying,” he said. “We will support the GDF all the time and we are expecting more and further cooperation with the GDF and the people of Guyana.”
In brief remarks, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Guyana, Mr. Li Qin Feng noted that the collaboration between CATIC and the GDF was another example of the cordial relations between the GDF and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. He
noted that this year marked the fortieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Guyana and the PRC, and observed that cooperation between the two countries, which spans several areas, has grown over the years.
The envoy announced that the Ministry of Defence of the PRC is offering a five-year scholarship for personnel from the GDF to study in China. He congratulated the successful course participants for their diligence and opined that the occasion of the 40th anniversary is the perfect opportunity to enhance relations between both countries and the PLA.
In response, GDF Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best thanked the government and people of the PRC, the PLA and the CATIC staff.
“The excellent relations between the government of Guyana and the People’s Republic of China over the last four decades, has led to another successful collaboration,” he stated.
“This training is unique since it is the first time that China, through CATIC, has provided this particular type of training outside of its borders. The training adds value and technical competence to the Force and such value must be contextualized in relation to the sacrifices which had to be made in order to make the training a reality.”
Congratulating the successful pilots, engineers and technicians, Commodore Best urged them to be mindful of this, and advised that as a result, a higher level of professionalism, commitment and dedication were now expected of them. He also thanked the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and all others who contributed to the success of the programme, and later presented tokens of appreciation to  the CATIC Project Manager, Li Ning, together with other members of the CATIC team, Instructors Zhao Bao Ming, Mr. Bao, Xian Jun, Ms. Lu Dan, Mr. He Liang, Mr. Li Shangi, and Interpreter, Mr Sun Hao.

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