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Four months later… Army’s new planes not yet in service
Two Britten-Norman Islanders planes that were commissioned in August will be airborne shortly. The delays in the start of operations are because some detailed checks are being carried out.
According to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, since arriving in August, the engineers of the army’s Air Corps decided to do what is called a “C” check, which means that almost all the aircraft is stripped and inspected.
That is still being done. After the process, the planes will be placed into operation, Harmon said.
The aircraft arriving at the Timehri airport, earlier this year.
The minister noted that checks were conducted when the places were purchased in Brazil, but they had not taken the entire aircraft apart, so they are still doing that, and very shortly they will be in use.
Checks were done before purchasing, but were not as detailed as the “C” check, which is normally done every five years or so.
According to Harmon, the army and relevant authorities are taking safety seriously, with soldiers and government officials, including ministers, among those who will be flying.
Next year, two more aircraft for the army – Skyvans – are due.
In August, during the arrival and commissioning ceremony, Harmon said that the Government of Guyana will not hesitate to provide the support necessary to ensure the men and women in uniform are fully equipped to uphold the constitution and to protect Guyana.
Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West, said the aircraft are part of the GDF’s efforts to recapitalise the Air Corps.
Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Patrick West and Air Corps officers pose near one of the planes
“Through our collective efforts, we can boast of having a refurbished hangar … and having our Air Corps being re-certified as an AMO [Approved Maintenance Organisation],” Brigadier West explained.
The Islanders are expected to be used in search and rescue operations, evacuations, troop transport and tactical observation. They will also be used to conduct surveillance throughout Guyana including the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Commanding Officer of the Air Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Courtney Byrne explained.
In 2019, the GDF will also seek to acquire four brand new helicopters and one unmanned aerial vehicle as part of its recapitalisation.
The National Assembly had approved $484M to buy four reconditioned aircraft, including the two Britten-Norman Islanders and two Skyvans—for the GDF.
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