Lieutenant Chevron Smith
JDF Air Wing

As the dream of a military flight training institution in Jamaica becomes a more real, all efforts began to focus on equipping the Jamaica Military Aviation School (JMAS) with the necessary manpower and resources. With the first group of trainee pilots earmarked to commenced training in July 2007, the training staff was faced with the mammoth task of developing a training program for the ‘Wings Training’ course. The framework of this course is based on the current Canadian Forces (CF) ‘Wings Training’ course, which transforms an individual into a military pilot, which at this stage holds many similarities with a commercial pilot in civil aviation.

After four months of combined and persistent efforts among the training staff, it was agreed that the training program was ready.  It was only befitting for the Canadian Forces to provide continued guidance in an area that they have supported over a significant period of time in their yearly evaluation of the JDF Air Wing. On the 03 Jun 2007, a seven-member team led by Lieutenant Colonel Haskins of the Canadian Forces Central Flying School (CFS) arrived in Jamaica to conduct the evaluation. The team’s mission was to conduct an assessment of the institution’s (JMAS) training staff, training package, facilities and maintenance support system.

This assessment was conducted over an eight-day period during which Captain Barnby of the CFS conducted an assessment of ground and flight instruction to be provided by all flight instructors throughout the Primary Flight Training and Extended courses. Captain Anderson of the CFS conducted an assessment of the training package to include the training manuals, publications and general administrative documentation.

After a week of ground instruction, flight instruction and “days-a-buzz” with hours perusing the manuals and various documents, it was most satisfying to know that one of the greatest hurdles had been leapt over. We have launched into an era that has never been realized within the Caribbean. The Jamaica Military Aviation School achieving the standard required for the commencement of a viable military flight training institution. It is official; JMAS is ‘cleared for takeoff.