Army pilots in group chosen to fly for GA2000
TWO pilots in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) along with another who flies for the Army but is not a member, are among six Guyanese aviators chosen to fly the Boeing 757 jet which GA2000 now operates, a top official said yesterday. GA2000 could have the pilots on the Boeing 757 jet as early as November, according to Chief Executive Officer at GA2000, Mr Tom Scarlett. He yesterday confirmed that the three GDF personnel were selected to be part of that team. The three were laid off when the old Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) hit a financial snag in its operations. One of them holds the rank of Captain while the two others are First Officers with the Army, the Chronicle was told. The six pilots, who can all act as Captains and First Officers on the Boeing 757 jet, will have to undergo training at Boeing Flight Safety in Miami and do `ground school' and simulator training in the United States. Scarlett said it is hoped that training will start within the next two weeks. GA2000 Chief Pilot, Captain Egbert Field is in the United States arranging for training of the pilots selected by the airline. The airline had been recruiting local and Caribbean pilots for its Boeing 757 jet. That exercise started a few weeks ago with advertisements in the national newspapers. Interviews were conducted last week at GA2000 by Captain Field and persons from Nordstress, Australia, the operators of the Boeing 757 jet which GA2000 has been using for its commercial operation. The aircraft is leased from Ansett, an Australian leasing company. GA2000 is operating a wet-lease in which Nordstress provides the pilots and maintenance of the Boeing 757. According to Scarlett, GA2000 wanted an all Guyanese pilot core to come onboard since it believes this country has enough qualified persons. Under provisions of the leasing agreement, GA2000 can have its own pilots on a full-time basis on the Boeing 757.
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