Security
aspect of the local aviation sector
A GINA release, December 12, 2003
Security plays a vital role in local aviation.
The first process at points of departure, involves checking of
passengers.
Ogle Aerodrome on the East Coast of Demerara, is where most of
the local flights operate. The Government Information Agency (GINA)
had a first hand-look at the security aspects there.
A Trans Guyana Cessna Caravan had a flight scheduled for Lethem
in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
At approximately 9:00 hours passengers were seen having their
luggage checked. A valid Passport or Identification Card must
be presented to the Checking clerk. This is to verify that the
person travelling is the person to whom the ticket is issued.
The identification number of the ticket must correspond with the
ID presented by the passenger.
After receiving their tickets, passengers must have their hand
luggage checked by a security personnel for any illegal item or
substance.
Prohibited items include: illegal drugs, narcotics, unlicensed
firearms, uncustomed goods and explosives.
It must be noted that passengers travelling with firearms and
ammunition must declare them to the security, who will place the
firearm in a pouch and hand it over to the pilot. A firearm licences
must be produced.
The passengers then proceed to the Immigration Office section
where they give the relevant information to officers, including
their addresses and date of birth.
Having cleared Immigration passengers then proceeded to the Departure
lounge.
A few minutes before schedule departure, passengers are notified
that it is time to board. They undergo a scanner check before
boarding the flight. This check will reveal any hidden metal objects
on the person. This is essential to ensure that passengers have
a safe and pleasant flight.
While the passengers are being checked the pilot is busy. Flying
for more than 25 years, Captain Roy Jainandan is in the Flight
Operations Centre.
He showed the chart in which all the flights are prepared and
all information is given to Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU),
Immigration, and the Air Traffic Control.
A weather control system is monitored every hour. Once the aircraft
is in the air it is also monitored by Air Traffic Controllers
and Flight operations officers at Ogle.
Prior to every flight, the pilot has to find out what the weather
is like at his destination point.
Jainandan noted that flights are in constant contact with the
flight operations officers. There are two frequencies allowing
this.
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority plays a vital role in the
security aspect as well. Inspector of Airworthiness Clifton Bahase
must be on site to inspect the operations of the flights.
After ten minutes in flight, the pilot takes the engine reading.
This data is sent daily to Canada, where experts monitor the condition
of the engine.
For the entire flight the pilot has to make key checks. There
are checks before starting, checks after starting, taxiing and
before take-off. Checks on the runway, after take-off, during
cruise and descent.
On arrival at Lethem, passengers again have to produce their identification
papers to the Immigration Officer.
On returning to Ogle Aerodrome, Captain Jainandan inspects the
wheels, wings and propellers of the aircraft.
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Friday,
December 12, 2003