Latest update March 31st, 2025 6:44 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Army aviators urge re-fleeting of “obsolete, corroding” military planes

Jan 28, 2014 News

 
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Air Corps’ aging fleet is becoming an area of major concern, and pilots, engineers attached to the military are urging the Administration to consider sourcing a new fleet of planes to replace those in operation at the moment.
The current fixed wing fleet includes a 1960s British-made Skyvan which has been in service for nearly 30 years and is expensive to maintain. A Chinese Harbin Y-12, purchased in 2001, was recently given an extra five year-operational life; and a smaller aircraft; a single-engine Cessna 206; seized during a drug raid, also make up the fleet. Three helicopters, including a Bell 412, complement the line.
Veteran pilots say however that the authorities should seriously look over the fleet, suggesting that the GDF focus on sourcing the early 80s introduced Short C-23 Sherpa and the Polish light cargo and passenger PZL M28 Skytruck as these are ideal for the relatively short and sometimes rough interior airstrips.
The aviation officers say that apart from the age-old twin-engine turboprop Y-12, the Skyvan started to show serious signs of corrosion on parts of its frame. These carriers are said to be the most used during operations.
Speaking to senior officers within the Air Corps yesterday, Kaieteur News was told that replacing the Army’s fleet is not as easy as it may seem. The newspaper was told that replacing the obsolete multi-purpose Skyvan alone would take great consideration taking into account the various functions the plane can perform.
“It is not so easy to replace the Skyvan’s multi-purpose system, no aircraft can compete with it,” the Officer said. “Not even the Skytruck can stand up; the cabin is much smaller among other things.” The officer added that sourcing parts for the Skyvan is extremely difficult since that line of aircraft is obsolete and some parts have to be made to order.
The Officer explained further that the six-seat single-engine Cessna is much too small for the army’s tasks. The Cessna Company describes the aircraft as the “sport-utility vehicle of the air.”
Kaieteur News was told that a team would have to be convened in order to properly source the most suitable air transport for the Corps. Much consideration has to be put into this new fleet to take into account, not only the airplane’s purpose but the environment in which it will operate.
The Senior Officer added that aviation officials should pay more attention to the landing grounds of the interior. One important factor that was mentioned pertained to airstrips and their maintenance. The officer reminisced that in the days of the Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) the company’s 50 seat Hawker Siddeley 748 traveled to interior locations such as Lethem and Kamarang to name a few.
“In those days, the airstrips were highly maintained,” the Officer said. He suggested that at this stage, planes such as Dash 8s should have been flying to those areas, before noting that the type of landing space will greatly affect the type of planes needed.
Head of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Zulficar Mohamed, has stated however that checks will be made to ascertain information relating to the airworthiness of the GDF’s plane fleet. The GCAA is responsible for overlooking the affairs of the country’s aviation sector.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 28th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Fantastic Wharton snipes haul-trick in 11-0 win

Fantastic Wharton snipes haul-trick in 11-0 win

Mar 31, 2025

-as Santa Rosa finish atop of Group ‘B’ Kaieteur Sports- Five thrilling matches concluded the third-round stage of the 2025 Milo/Massy Boys’ Under-18 Football Tournament yesterday at the...
Read More
Back Circle bests Gold is Money to retain crown

Back Circle bests Gold is Money to retain crown

Mar 31, 2025

DCC continues winning ways thanks to Imlach masterclass

DCC continues winning ways thanks to Imlach...

Mar 31, 2025

All-round Headquarters retain title in dominant fashion

All-round Headquarters retain title in dominant...

Mar 31, 2025

Yarrowkabra smashes four in Tutorial, as Dolphin, Waramuri Sec’ remain unbeaten

Yarrowkabra smashes four in Tutorial, as Dolphin,...

Mar 30, 2025

Ramesh Chattergoon smacks 110* in ESCL T20, Over-40

Ramesh Chattergoon smacks 110* in ESCL T20,...

Mar 30, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]