Aircraft owners want all planes equipped with automatic tracking system

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill addressing the AGM of the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana.

To enhance the search and rescue capacity in Guyana, local aircraft owners are calling on government to make it mandatory that all aircraft be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) tracking systems.

“It is a technology that is less expensive than radar, and will enhance the country’s Search & Rescue capability.  We urge, therefore, that the Director General now institute a 100% compliance for all aircraft to have this equipment installed and fully operational,” Head of the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana (AOAG), Michael Correia Jr. told the body’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, where Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill was in attendance.

But he was quick to also point out that having aircraft owners invest in the tracking technology was only one element in having a robust search and rescue and surveillance system as backup helicopters would be needed to get to the dense areas of Guyana’s highly forested lands.