On resumption…
AIR Services Limited (ASL) Flight Training School is providing Guyanese with the skills to become pilots in a local  industry which  has to scramble  to keep pace with rapid development in the hinterland.
The school’s Assistant Chief Flying Instructor and Ground Instructor, Mr. Mike Ramsahai explained, recently, that  hinterland development is directly related to that of the aviation industry.
“With the developments taking place in mining, for example, the potential for growth in  aviation industry is immense. Right now, nearly every local airline needs pilots. We, at ASL, train  pilots to satisfy our own needs and for other companies who also need,” he told the Chronicle.
The school is part of ASL, which operates the oldest and  largest such domestic business from its hangar  at Ogle International Airport, East Coast Demerara. It is also the only entity of the kind approved by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
Established in 1999, the institution has been functioning on the availability of students and resumed, after another lull, in November last year.
Ramsahai said most of the pilots trained, so far, are young Guyanese who have dreams of flying and are accepted from the minimum age of sixteen and a half years.
The basic private pilot licence (PPL), which qualifies them to fly private aircraft, can be acquired after a course of between four to six months duration but does not allow them to render commercial service.
Following the acquisition of the PPL, the trainees are recommended for instrument reading but only a commercial pilot’s licence, secured after 150 flying hours, would permit piloting for hire and among the general requirements are 15 hours rental of a Cessna 206, 15 hours dual flight instructions and 10 hours ground instructions.
Multi-engine rating training allows the flying of airplanes with more than one engine.
Personnel Assistant to the Administrative Director and Administrative Officer, Ms. Marcia Akeung said there are payment plans to help students complete the important courses without undue burden.