THE CIVIL AVIATION Department remains optimistic as to the future of the industry in Barbados.
Technical officer (training and systems) Suzanne Griffith said the number of youths who attended the Barbados Light Aeroplane Club’s extravaganza last Saturday at the south ramp of Grantley Adams International Airport was a good indicator.
“I am so pleased to see the people come out, especially the youth. I am very happy to see people brave flight aboard the small Cessna plane and if the number of people I see lined up is any yardstick, then aviation will keep going in Barbados. We hope that out of this event, more young people will sign up to become student pilots,” she said.
The extravaganza was a joint project between the department, the club, the Ministry of International Transport and the Ministry of Tourism. It included flight simulations, introductory flights, zumba, a jumping tent and a demonstration by the airport fire department.
“Every year we do something for Civil Aviation Day with schoolchildren but this year the day fell on a Saturday so we did the school events on Thursday and held the extravaganza [Saturday],” said Griffith.
Director of Civil Aviation Mitchinson Beckles said there was a need for a more vibrant aviation industry in Barbados but he too was heartened by the youth turnout.
“We want to bring a lot of young people to this facility to garner interest as we are looking towards the next generation of aviation professionals. We want to give the kids the opportunity to fly and in so doing, whip up interest and stimulate the growth of aviation in Barbados,” he said.
Beckles said there was much more to aviation than flying, however.
He said there were also career opportunities in engineering, air traffic control, avionics and meteorology. (CA)
