By Admin. Updated 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The first Vincentian-born man to fly an American Airlines aircraft into St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) said his inspiration to become a pilot came from watching planes at E.T Joshua Airport at age four.
Speaking to One News SVG today at the Argyle International Airport (AIA), the 30-year-old US citizen who is originally from Georgetown, St. Vincent said when he was very young he used to watch the planes land and take off at E.T Joshua Airport in Arnos Vale. That airport was decommissioned in 2017.
“It was an honour to have flown into the Argyle International Airport today,” he said.
He said his captain allowed him to fly the Boeing 737-800 Max aircraft from Miami, Florida to Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent. He is also flying the aircraft back to Miami.
“It’s surreal. I still think I’m like dreaming at this point. Honestly, I was more excited about the welcoming that I got from everyone. It’s a very unique experience,” he said.
It was the first time the aircraft in question landed at Argyle, but American Airlines commenced service to St. Vincent to St. Vincent in December 2018 after the opening of the AIA in February 2017.
He said the journey to become a pilot was “very tough”.
It was like a lot of studying , a lot of work, but it’s like something when you have the passion for it, you don’t even notice the amount of work and effort that you’re putting into it because it doesn’t feel like work at that point,” he told One News SVG’s Demion McTair.
Mr. Da Silva said he first flew an aircraft at age 18 even before he received his driver’s permit.
He began his formal education in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the CW Prescod Primary School, but migrated at age five.
She said he began his education at the CW Prescod Primary School in Kingstown. After moving* to the USA, he then attended PS 198, then Hudde Junior High, then on to Clara Barton.
His real training that propelled him into his current career, however, was at Vaughn College of Aeronautics at LaGuardia in New York and then to flight school in Texas.
The resident of Queens New York worked with Republic Airways for six years where he rose to Captain.
Republic Airways is the parent company of a number of American regional airlines, which together operate an extensive domestic network of feeder services on behalf of major American Airlines, according to Center for Aviation.
Currently serving American Airlines for about three years, Da Silva is a first officer.
Da Silva also left some advice for young people who want to become pilots.
“I would definitely recommend using your resources. For me, personally, like I am on social media, so I reach out to like people I can see that are pilots and ask them questions . Those are always going to be your best resources. I guarantee the majority of us want to see more people doing what we do, so we’re going to go the extra mile to help.”
On December 7, 2023, Mrs. Rochelle Roache-Lanza became the first Vincentian-born female American Airlines pilot to fly into St. Vincent on December 7, 2023.
One News SVG 