100 years of aviation…Brazil squadron thrills sea wall crowd

Mar 25, 2013 News

Scores turned out at the Kitty sea wall to observe the celebration of the centenary of aviation in Guyana as seven Brazilian smoke squadrons performed a live air show yesterday.
Spectators, families and even members of the diplomatic corps enjoyed the aerial displays.
Seven planes known as T-6 were used in the aerial display as the Brazilian Air Force performed five main manoeuvres which elicited applause from the crowd.
The viewing public was especially awe struck at the dodges performed by the planes which almost appeared to be on a collision path. Other incredible air displays included the formation of a heart in the sky. Patterns and designs mixed with aerodynamic stunts also dominated the event.
The Team made its first visit and performance in Guyana during 2008, when Guyana hosted the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta). The team has also performed in other South America countries, as well as in Europe and Egypt, among other places.
Returning to Guyana after five years is truly a wonderful form of appreciation, the team said.
In 1913, when the young pioneer aviator, George Schmidt flew his box kite-like aircraft and astounded the people of Georgetown, no one at the time would have conceived that the aeroplane would in time become the livelihood of so many and so much a part of our daily lives.
To further celebrate the centenary, there will be a football and cricket competition tomorrow at Thirst Park (Banks DIH.)
On Wednesday at 19:00 hrs there will be a quiz on NCN on the 100 years of aviation in Guyana. On March, 28 at 17:00 hrs there will be another aerial display over Georgetown for fallen aviators. And finally, on April, 1 at 14:00 hrs there will be a kite flying competition at Transport Ground on Carifesta Avenue.

Scenes from the event

According to Director General of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Zulficar Mohamed, “our aviation history has been enriched by pioneers who opened our vast hinterland: to those who took to the skies, and those who set the standards and the pace for our development, we owe deep gratitude. We must not forget the days when aviation soared and Guyana Airways proudly flew the Golden Arrowhead within Guyana, around the Caribbean Region and North America while serving our people with patriotic pride. It was indeed sad to see the end of that era in the nineties; nonetheless, the private sector aircraft companies took the reins and continued to provide that vital link from the coast to the hinterland.”
Speaking of the aerial benefits, Minister Robeson Benn noted that flying secured Guyana’s sovereignty particularly through better accessibility and undertaking of land surveys and mineral exploration.
He noted “International services, while being constantly challenged by coast competition, saw the highest movement of passengers in 2012 (543,374) to and from worldwide locations ensuring Guyana’s international trade, diasporas connections and economic development.”