By Tangerine Clarke
Wade Austin-McDonald was
born a small-town boy with big
dreams and aspirations that led
to a brilliant 44-year career as
a pilot.
This reporter grew up in the
same Lodge Village community
in Guyana, as McDonald, who
was focused from age seven after
receiving a miniature PanAm
toy-jet as a Christmas gift.
“My elder cousin bought
me a PanAm toy jet and I still
remember cherishing it. I kept
it in my toy box for many years,”
recalled the former pilot of Antigua’s
leading airline, LIAT, who,
after completing his education at
Charlestown Government Secondary
School in Georgetown,
attended the prestigious Embry-
Riddle Aeronautical University in
Daytona Beach, Florida in 1976,
where he obtained his Commercial/
Instruments/Multi-Engine
Pilot License.
McDonald was a part of history,
training alongside Guyana’s
first female pilots Beverly Drake
and Cheryl Moore, all who later
flew for the Guyana Defence
Force. He then joined a Guyana
Airways Corporation crew,
and later, continued his career
with St. Lucia’s WinLin Airlines,
where he was promoted to chief
pilot, with responsibilities for
training of the carrier’s aviators.
A fearless flyer, this accomplished
aviator continued his
remarkable service at the age of
21, this time, with LIAT, where
he was seconded to Monserrat
Aviation Services, before being
transferred in 1986 to Antigua.
He spent 34 years of his career
with this carrier, retiring with
the title of captain, and 20 years
as check airman and examiner,
responsible for the training and
flight checking of pilots.
McDonald who said his lasting
memories were the challenges he
faced flying in the jungle of Guyana
with minimum navigation
equipment from 2016-2019, and
being promoted to chief pilot of
LIAT, a title he elected to resign
from in order to fly more often,
an average of four to five days
per week.
Mercy flights (medical evacuation)
at nights, and the good old
days of being trained by Captain
Egbert Fields Col (ret) and Captain
Malcolm Chan-A Sue Col
(ret), as well as flight training,
checking of pilots and interaction
with persons from the island
HEALTH ADVISORY
NEW YORKERS SHOULD LIMIT ACTIVITIES
THEY AND THEIR HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS AND CAREGIVERS SHOULD:
Limit their activities outside of their home – only leave to go to work or school or for medical care or
other essential needs, such as groceries and pharmacy items.
Caribbean Life, D 22 ECEMBER 18-24, 2020
chain, are all cherished memories,
he recalled.
The captain has logged in
excess of 23,000 flight hours,
and too many miles to count,
he said, that included flights to
Canada, the USA, within the
islands and Guyana. He also flew
to France, Toronto and Bogotá
Columbia to perform flight training
and checks of pilots. These
are incredible achievements that
make McDonald one of the greatest
Guyanese-born pilots ever to
grace the friendly skies.
“Being in the air was my tranquility,
my passion,” said the
commander who retired last
month at 65, the mandatory age
as a commercial pilot.
He added that he was never
afraid of being in the air, but flying
was 99 percent his decision to
be correct.
“I remember experiencing an
engine flameout just after liftoff
at the airport in Mustique
Island. We followed the required
procedures and landed safely in
St. Vincent,” said the skilled aviator,
who recalled after disembarking
the passengers, realized
his adrenaline was in “overdrive,”
but his training had kicked in as
a priority.
Wade Austin-McDonald with his daughter, Fiona and son,
Antoine. Wade Austin-McDonald
“I enjoyed every second of my
career. The good thing is I live
overlooking the airport in Antigua
so I’ll always be reminded
of the fond memories of being a
pilot, said the husband, and loving
father whose passion is aviation,
music, carnival activities
and photography.
“I hope that LIAT gets back in
the air. It’s one of the safest airline,”
he said, praising the carrier
for its high standards of training
and safety. “This is best for the
Caribbean,” he opined, of the
carrier that also had employed
his wife.
To that little boy or girl, who
aspires to be like him? “Follow
your dream and wishes. With
determination you will be a
success,” he urged.
LIAT pilot retires after 44 years
COVID-19 CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE INCREASING
RAPIDLY IN NEW YORK CITY.
ADULTS OVER 65 AND PEOPLE WITH CERTAIN UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS
ARE AT GREATER RISK FOR SEVERE COVID-19.
For more information, visit nyc.gov/health/coronavirus
Wear a face covering at all times when
outside their home, indoors and outdoors.
Not have visitors in their home, except
for caregivers.
Avoid public spaces and gatherings.
Stay home if sick, except for
getting medical care, including testing
for COVID-19.
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19, CALL YOUR DOCTOR.
IF YOU ARE HAVING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL 911.
Bill de Blasio
Mayor
Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc
Commissioner
/coronavirus
