Roraima Airways is collaborating with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority to provide land mark training to personnel in Guyana’s aviation sector. The first of its kind AP Precision Hydraulics (APPH) aircraft landing gear overhaul training programme was launched today.
Speaking at the launch of the training programme, GCAA’s Director of Air Safety Regulations, Captain C. Kirkcaldy hailed the collaboration which will see Guyana enhancing its capability for engineering safety in its aviation industry.
Roraima Airways in collaboration with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and Air Services Limited are hosting the first of its kind technical training at the Roraima Hangar at Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Officials of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Roraima Airways and Air Services were in attendance at this historic training event.
“It is the first time I’m participating in such collaboration and it is my pleasure to be a part of it because it will certainly enhance the capability for Aviation engineering safety in Guyana,” Captain Kirkcaldy said as he declared the training open. He also hinted to more collaboration to come as new regulations for the Guyana’s domestic operations gets on the way that will involve the various entities operating at Ogle.
In delivering the opening remarks, Roraima’s Director of Operations, Captain Learie Barclay stated that, “It was the first time in my lifetime as an aviator that GCAA has actually paid a significant percentage for training. GCAA would mandate the operators and they would have to fund their training. So this is a land mark opportunity to see GCAA collaborate to fund a historic training as this.”
The estimated cost for the training stands at British 17,000 pounds. This training, according to Roraima’s Technical Supervisor, Jason Farley, will substantially reduce the maintenance cost for Roraima Airways. “Over the years the company would have expended as much as US$30,000 to overhaul one aircraft landing gear and we have an aircraft fleet of five with each aircraft carrying three gears.
Landing gear overhaul is required every six months, however, circumstances may require detailed inspection or overhaul in less than the required time due to landing on unprepared airstrips in the hinterland as is common is Guyana. So this training is worthwhile. It will enhance the technical competence of the maintenance team and it gives the Aircraft Maintenance Organization at Roraima the requisite approval by the GCAA to carry out certified landing gear overhaul.”
The training, which costs are being shared among the GCAA, Roraima and Air Services Limited, will last for four days at the Roraima Airways Hangar and will be facilitated by Senior Engineer of the Heroux Devtex Company of Great Britain, Mr. M. Grace.