19-year-old Azam Ally is Guyana’s 1st locally-trained helicopter pilot

Nineteen-year-old Azam Ally of Air Services Limited (ASL) is the country’s first locally-trained and certified helicopter pilot.

The young man was on Wednesday honoured and recognised by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill for his accomplishment.
Captain Ally hails from the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). He was on Wednesday presented with his licence to operate helicopters by Minister Edghill.
The permit was certified by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The teen was also presented with a personal letter of commendation from the Minister.
In the letter, Minister Edghill stated that Captain Ally was an inspiration to young Guyanese.
“Somebody might want to ask why are we making such a big fuss…when people do well, we must give them flowers while they can appreciate it,” the Minister added.
Ally was later presented with a plaque of appreciation.
In brief remarks, Ally reflected on his journey and expressed gratitude to his support system.
“I feel very honoured to receive this…, I want to say thank you to Captain Mazahar Ally for giving me this opportunity; without him, I could have never accomplished what I did today … my brother was also an inspiration: seeing him as a captain made me think I want to do the same thing… I want to thank my mother for believing in me, and my grandmother, I want to give her thanks for the prayers …,” he said.
In 2019, Ally began working in the aircraft maintenance department of ASL as a trainee aircraft mechanic, after which he was then assigned to the rotorcraft maintenance programme, which provided him with the foundational knowledge of rotorcraft maintenance.
In 2020, upon completion of one year in maintenance, he was given the opportunity to begin training as a helicopter pilot.
His training commenced on August 3, 2020, under the tutelage of Captain Buddy Chance, a veteran helicopter pilot and one of two approved helicopter flight instructors at ASL.
Ally’s Initial Flight Training was done on the Robinson R-66 Helicopter, and on September 3, 2020, he did his first solo flight.
This was followed on December 8, 2020 by his private pilot check ride with Captain Chris Kirkcaldy of the GCAA which was successful. (G9)