Aeronautical engineers urged to keep safety as their watchword

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds urged the 22 graduating students of the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School (AWHWAES) to always keep safety as their watchword as they venture further into the field of aviation. 

Hinds was speaking at the AWHWAES graduation, induction and prize giving ceremony at the Ogle International Airport on Friday, 17th December. 

“In aeronautical engineering, there is really no room for errors; but we know that human errors do occur. But, in aviation, it has to be (as) close to zero as is humanly possible,” the prime minister stated.

He wished the students a successful career, and noted that government could not promise them lots of money during their careers, but could guarantee them a fair share of the opportunities available. He emphasised that the graduates should strive to make a valuable contribution to the growth and development of the country. 

Chairman of the Ogle Airport Inc (OAI) and president of the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana Inc (AOAG), Michael Correia Jr, told the graduating students that they have a great chance to serve their countries well. 

Vice Chairman of AWHWAES and second vice president of the AOAG, Captain Ronald Reece, revealed that the engineering school had its first ab-initio graduates in 1999 and, to date, has produced 187 graduates, 89 of them going on to obtain engineering licences from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other aviation authorities. Captain Reece also wished the 22 graduates continued success in their ongoing aviation studies. 

Safety was also emphasised by the captain. 

“You have already recited the pledge. However, please remember to be extremely careful when you are providing maintenance to any aircraft. Do so with the knowledge that the aircraft will be transporting someone’s son, daughter or other close relative, and therefore precious cargo,” Reece advised. 

Meanwhile, the Best Graduating Student award had to be shared between Guyanese Matthew A Harrison and Antiguan Dorian BB Nicholas. Nicholas was one of six students from LIAT. Harrison, who gave the vote of thanks, expressed special appreciation to the lecturers and parents for their work and perseverance with the students. He noted that competition had been fierce, but lifelong friendships have been established. 

The 22 students can now receive their License Without Type Rating (LWTR), which means that the qualification covers all types of aircraft, their systems and components. 

The LWTR is issued by the GCAA, and conversion to another country’s qualification may require further examination, especially on the regulation subjects. 

The other graduating students include Jason Adams, Imtiaz Samad, Brad C Harper, Gerston D Blenman, Renee Edwards, Athelsmour M Black, Kamal O Welcome, Carl Rodney, Carl Warner, Stephen A Harris, Deeraj Samaroo, Joseph A Robertson, Damion Noble, Cort McEwan, John Bennet, Michael Pream Persaud, Hakim Chalmers, Kevin H Walker, Rabindranauth Khamnauth, and Charles Bradford.