Omni Helicopters, a prominent player in Guyana’s offshore air mobility sector, has announced the selection of its first two Guyanese candidates for its highly regarded Ab-Initio flight programme. This will make the two candidates the first Guyanese pilots to join the company.
The Ab-Initio flight programme provides comprehensive training for aspiring pilots, starting from the basics and leading to advanced certifications necessary for professional aviation careers.
Following a rigorous selection process, Somant Heeralal and Yadram Ramcharran emerged as the top candidates from a pool of nearly 20 applicants.
The selection process it said, was exhaustive, incorporating a range of tests and assessments designed to evaluate the candidates’ aptitude and suitability for the program. These included pilot aptitude tests, psychological evaluations, medical screenings, and Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET). The chosen candidates are set to embark on an intensive 16-month training regimen at specialist flight schools, the first step in their journey toward becoming Guyana’s first pilots at OHGI.
Heeralall’s journey to aviation began in a different field. Initially, he pursued a medical degree at Texila American University in Guyana and worked at Georgetown Public Hospital. His career took a significant turn in November 2023 when he joined Omni Helicopters, drawn by the opportunity to engage in specialized training that included Search & Rescue Swimming and Aviation Security. His newfound passion for aviation was further solidified through these experiences, setting him on a new career path.
Ramcharran’s background is in aeronautical engineering. He started his journey at the Art Williams & Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School in 2017. Despite facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, he persevered and completed his associate degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering in December 2023. His dedication and excellence during his studies and practical training at Ogle Airport with CAMS and Omni Helicopters were pivotal in his selection for the flight program.
The program will culminate in selected trainees obtaining a Commercial Helicopter License with an Instrument Flight Rating, a credential that underscores their readiness to meet the high standards of the industry. After graduation, they will continue to gain flight experience before progressing to operate larger offshore helicopters.
“This is an important milestone for OHGI and the aviation community in Guyana as we welcome Somant and Yadram to our team as Guyana’s first offshore Ab-Initio pilots,” said Duncan Moore, CEO of Offshore and Onshore International at Omni Helicopters International.
“We are confident that their talent, dedication, and passion for aviation will drive them to great things and also be an inspiration to others in Guyana seeking a flying career. Creating new opportunities for our national team remains one of our key priorities and adds to more than half of our workforce who are already from Guyana. We will continue to make these investments in service of the goal of one day having an entirely Guyanese team,” Moore added.
OHGI’s initiative to train and employ local talent is part of a broader commitment to supporting and developing the Guyanese workforce. The company’s investment in training programs and career development for locals not only enhances the skills of its employees but also contributes to the country’s economic growth.
