“Aviation is a wonderful business” – GCCA head to new 164 Aeronautical Engineers

A total of 164 students graduated from the Art Williams and Henry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School during its commencement ceremony on Friday. The graduating cohort included 45 students from the new intake, 41 first-year students, 37 second-year students, 22 third-year students, and 19 students completing the full four-year programme, marking a significant achievement for the institution and the aviation sector in Guyana.
The Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field, delivered an impassioned keynote address, celebrating the graduates’ accomplishments and urging them to embrace their roles in the rapidly evolving aviation industry.
“Congratulations to the graduates of today and to the parents and guardians whose sacrifices have made this possible,” Lt. Col. Field said. He acknowledged the challenges faced by families in supporting their children through rigorous training, emphasising their pivotal role in the success being celebrated.
“Aviation is a wonderful business,” he continued. “Once you enter, you’re bitten by the bug, and it stays with you for life.”

Field shared personal anecdotes about his own journey into aviation, recounting how, as a five-year-old boy in Meadowbank, he became mesmerised by the sight of a Grumman Goose aircraft landing on the Demerara River. “The pilots, in their crisp white shirts and badges, seemed like gods to me,” he said. “That moment defined my passion for aviation, a passion that continues to this day.”
In a forward-looking segment of his speech, Lt. Col. Field announced an ambitious initiative aimed at attracting and nurturing the next generation of aviation professionals. He revealed plans for a partnership with the UK Air Cadet Programme, which will engage youths as young as 12 years old in structured aviation training.
“This programme will mentor students through secondary school, the University of Guyana (UG), and eventually advanced studies at institutions like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida,” he explained. “We’re preparing for the future because the aviation industry is growing exponentially, and we must ensure a pipeline of skilled professionals to meet that demand.”
Field also highlighted the significant strides made by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in gaining international recognition for Guyana’s aviation training programmes. He announced that the Civil Aviation Training School is on track to receive ICAO Training Plus accreditation early next year.
“This accreditation will enable us to train not just local but international students, with their certifications recognised worldwide,” Field said. He described this as a transformative step for the school and Guyana’s aviation sector, which has seen rapid growth in recent years.
Referring to the expansion of the industry, he noted, “We’ve gone from having a handful of small aircraft to a growing fleet of larger helicopters and planes. The tsunami of development I predicted years ago is now upon us.”
Addressing the graduates, Field urged them to embrace professionalism and discipline as they step into their new roles. “You are no longer just students; you are now part of a global aviation network,” he said. “Define yourself not by a narrow view but as contributors to the aviation industry on a national and global scale.”

He expressed hope that some of the graduates would eventually ascend to leadership roles, inspiring future generations.
“One day, I hope to see some of you standing where I am, addressing graduates as Director General,” he said.
Field concluded his address by honouring the parents and guardians, acknowledging the sacrifices they made to support their children’s journey.
“Your decisions—whether to forgo vacations, buy that new shirt instead of a car, or stay up late to help with homework—were not in vain,” he said. He invited the graduates to applaud their families, who beamed with pride at the recognition.
Additionally, during the ceremony, it was announced that the Art Williams & Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School had received approval from the National Accreditation Council of Guyana (NAC-G) for its Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Programme. This new degree builds on the school’s Ab-Initio Programme, aligning with international and national standards for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licensing.
Graduates with the Associate Degree from the Ab-Initio Programme can now further their qualifications with the BSc degree, opening pathways to advanced roles in aviation and related industries, including the growing oil and gas sector.
The ceremony not only celebrated the achievements of the graduates but also underscored the institution’s pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation in Guyana.