| Guyana’s largest helicopter, the army’s Bell 412, is back up and running after years of being parked.Millions of dollars have been spent by government to bring back the chopper. Yesterday, Government said that the helicopter was recently used to conduct aerial surveys for an alternative roadway for the East Bank Demerara linkage to the Timehri airport. It was also recently used for overhead flights of the Amaila FallsLike new: The repaired army chopper at CJIA yesterday shortly after conducting a ceremonial flight.hydro project access roads.According to Transport Minister,Adidas Hockey Jerseys Cheap, Robeson Benn, the chopper which has been at least three decades in the hands of the Guyana Defence Force,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, will continue to be used in search and rescue operations.Its long time pilot, army Captain Michael Charles, has been recalled to handle it.Back in the days of former President Forbes Burnham, the yellow chopper, which carries the registration mark, 8R-GFP,Wholesale Jerseys China, was a fixture in the Guyana skies.However, because of financial and other issues, the army was forced to park it. There were even attempts to sell it.The calls to bring back the chopper grew and in 2010, after much consultation, repairs started. Prior to that,Soccer Jerseys China, Government had toyed with the idea of buying a similar one.Captain Charles, who is said to know the aircraft “inside out”, was brought back also from his retirement.There are now moves to equip it with some of the latest search and rescue equipment including powerful night lights. It has already been deemed airworthy by the regulators,Cheap Jerseys Online, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.With Guyana’s mostly forested terrain one of the roughest in the world, the Bell 412 has been praised for its ability to conduct flights in tough conditions.The army also has two Bell 206 helicopters, but these have been criticised as not being even close to the capabilities of the yellow bird.Yesterday,Jerseys NFL Wholesale China, the chopper made its majestic landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, minutes before officials, including President Donald Ramotar turned the sod for a US$150M airport expansion project. (Leonard Gildarie) |
