By Admin. Updated 10:07 a.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Tevin Goodridge Da Silva, 30, is set to make history today (July 17) as the first Vincentian-born male American Airlines pilot to fly into St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
The news comes months after Mrs. Rochelle Roache-Lanza became the first Vincentian-born female American Airlines pilot to fly into St. Vincent on December 7, 2023.
Today, the 30-year-old will help to steer an American Airlines aircraft from Miami in the USA to Argyle, St. Vincent which will have his mother, his sister, and scores of other passengers on board during the 4-hour journey.
In fact, after his last visit some years ago,
“He said the next time he comes back to St. Vincent, he’ll be flying here,” his mother Ms. Maxine Da Silva told One News SVG.
Da Silva’s mother told One News SVG today (July 17) that her son, who is originally from Georgetown, St. Vincent has nine years of commercial flying, three of which he has so far spent at American Airlines.
She said she is proud of her son.
“I feel Proud, very proud. This will be my first time flying with him. I will be flying home today with my daughter (his sister) who is 11.”
The aircraft is scheduled to land at the Argyle International Airport at around 1:00 p.m.
Da Silva’s background
Da Silva’s mother told One News SVG on Wednesday that her son left SVG at the age of 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.
His mother said she always saw the signs that he wanted to be a pilot.
“He is a very humble soul. He always had a passion for planes since childhood. I remember the first time we came back to St. Vincent after moving* to NY, I remember him watching the planes at the old airport,” she said, referring to the ET. Joshua Airport at Arnos Vale which was operational until February 2017.
“I have a relative who was living near the old airport. He would sit all day and would be intrigued by the planes landing and taking off. He was about 8 years of age,” she added.
Da Silva said her son’s aspirations were a bit dampend* after the September 11, attack on U.S. soil.
“He said he didn’t want to be a pilot anymore, but once you have that passion nothing can stop you, so eventually his passion returned,” she said.
“He is very determined and I just supported him as a single parent. It was rough at times, but with God’s help everything went fine. I supported him along the way during the years of college,” she added.
She said the advice she has for parents whose children have big dreams is to, “Always support your children. They can be anything they want to be. Believe in them. Support is critical.”
“I taught him that the same opportunity you got, you must share. That’s how your blessing comes,” she added.
The Argyle International Airport – AIA has confirmed that a brief ceremony is slated to be held at the AIA this afternoon to welcome Mr. Da Silva.
One News SVG 