IN an effort to help young aspiring pilots follow their dreams, the Air Services Limited (ASL) Flight School, one of the leading aviation training institutions in South America and the Caribbean, yesterday hosted an ‘Open Day’ activity in the compound of the Ogle International Airport.

This event saw a number of persons descending on the ASL compound to tour the facility and learn about the services offered by the entity. One of Guyana’s youngest female trainee pilots, Brittney Ally, a student of the flight school, gave a breakdown of the courses offered at the institution, after which persons were treated to an aerial view of the city at a cost of $5,000.
It was explained to prospective students that the first step in exploring the fascinating world of aviation is to obtain a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL), but one has to be at least 16-and-a-half years old in order to obtain that document.
After undergoing a complete medical examination by an authorised aviation doctor, the candidates are made to take both a written and an oral exam, after which they can undertake a practical.
Applicants would then receive “log ground training” from the instructor to the level of knowledge appropriate to the privileges for the holder of a PPL. This ranking would allow the candidate to fly when visibility is good. This is called the Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
There are minimum requirements in the general Guyana Aviation Requirements (GARs) that qualify one to eventually obtain one’s licence. These include completing 26 half-hour dual time (with an instructor), eleven hours solo flying, and two-and-a-half hours’ simulation time.
Provision for extra hours can be made available for those who may need it, as the programmes can be customized to meet the needs of applicants and their budgets.
At the end of this course, students are expected to know several things, one being the Air Law; and should have a general knowledge of the aeroplane, powered lift and airstrip; flight performance and planning; human performance; meteorology; navigation; operational procedures; Principles of Flight, and Radiotelephony.
Upon completion of this course, candidates would then become certified by an authorised instructor, and can then proceed to take the other courses – Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Licensing and Multi-Engine Rating, before becoming a certified pilot. After becoming fully certified, a person can practice their trade in any country.
The school is staffed by three fully qualified flight instructors with thousands of hours of instruction time.
Those wanting to pursue a career in the field of aviation can make contact with the institution at school@aslgy.com.
The aerial flights saw the excited faces of many persons who chose to fly around with the skilful and well trained pilots, but some of the faces changed expression after the plane had landed.
Some described the experience as wonderful and adventurous, while a few were a bit shaken by the landing, describing the experience as “panicky.”