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ASL ‘Open Day’…Potential pilots, aeronautical engineers get exposure to aviation industry
A number of students and other individuals with aspirations of becoming pilots or
These students were intrigued by this helicopter on display at yesterday’s ‘Open Day’.
aeronautical engineers were the main targets when Air Services Limited [ASL]’s Aeronautical Engineering School hosted its second annual ‘Open Day’ at the Eugene Correia International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara.
ASL General Manager, Mrs. Annette Arjoon-Martins, in an invited comment said that the ‘Open Day’ is rather important since “it gives an opportunity to aspiring aviation pilots or engineers to come and see what the industry has to offer.”
The ‘Open Day’ allowed students and others in attendance the opportunity to view and even inspect first-hand two Air Services aircraft– a fixed-wing plane and a helicopter. The opportunity was also available for those interested to experience a flight.’
“This ‘Open Day’ is to give our potential students an all-out emersion in a part of the aviation industry – engineering and piloting,” Arjoon-Martin related.
During the past two years, some 23 engineers were trained. However, between 2012 and 2017 a total of 46 individuals graduated after successfully completing their pilot’s training. However, prior to 2012, about three dozen pilots were trained, according to Arjoon-Martin.
She revealed too that a number of the pilots that have graduated through the ASL Flight School
Information about Aeronautical Engineering was offered in abundance to the young visitors.
are currently working with other aviation companies at the Ogle-based airport and a few have even started up their own small aviation companies as well.
“One graduate of 2006 was the Chief Pilot for the Guyana Defence Force and one of our graduates even went on to do helicopter pilot training…so our graduates, you can find them all over at the other aviation companies,” said Arjoon-Martins.
According to a brochure handed out at the ‘Open Day’, an eligible person for training is anyone who is hard working and willing to learn, and is 16 years or older. The suitable candidate should also possess a minimum of three CXC or GCE passes at grade III/C, preferably in Mathematics, Science and English. However, those with other comparable qualifications can also be eligible for entry into the Aeronautical Engineering or Flight Schools.
Arjoon-Martins explained that although ASL first opened its training doors in 2003 with its Flight Training School, the Aeronautical Engineering School was introduced about two years ago.
For its outstanding contribution to the development of the aviation industry over the years, the ASL Flight School was given an award by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority [GCAA] in 2013.
In the quest to further its developmental work, the Flight and Engineering Schools will in September commence training of even more students to participate. Students are currently enrolling for classes.
It is expected that some of the participants from yesterday’s ‘Open Day’ would have taken the opportunity to be a part of the upcoming training.
ASL was able yesterday, for the first time, to bring on board Scotia Bank Guyana to offer financing to help those who lack the financial means to pursue training.
Helping to guide the potential engineering students yesterday was one of ASL’s longstanding Administrative Officers, Ms. Jayaa Pooran.
Pooran explained to this publication “We are here to engage the public [the students and whoever is interested] to help them understand more about the engineering school and what we have to offer them.”
Training, she said, consists of theory and practical sessions five days per week [weekdays], with the exception of holidays.
ASL Flight Instructor, Rebecca Clarke, said that those desirous of becoming pilots will be required to undergo three courses – Private Pilot Licence, Instrument Rating and Multi-Engine Rating. She however explained that while a Private Pilot Licence would suffice for those who intend to learn to fly for leisure, those who hope to get paid for their acquired talent will have to also submit themselves to additional training so that they can be commercially licensed.
Once candidates would have been successful at both the flight and engineering aspects of training they can then proceed to be licensed by the GCAA.
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