Alex Phillips, 31 years at the Civil Aviation Department, former Fighter Pilot, Air Traffic Control Officer, Head of Administration of the Civil Aviation Department and Pilot Trainer.
On completion of High School at Queens College in Georgetown in 1942, Alec Phillips travelled to the United Kingdom and joined the Royal Air Force in September 1943 where after training, flew the famous British Spitfires in Europe during World War II. He was later stationed in New Brunswick, Canada, then returned to the United Kingdom where he served until the end of the War.
In 1948, he returned to British Guiana and joined the Civil Aviation Department as an Air Traffic Controller. Afterwards, he returned to the United Kingdom for advanced training in Civil Aviation Administration, eventually succeeding Major Jack Nichole in 1962 as the first Native Director of Civil Aviation.
As Director, his responsibilities encompassed all Aircraft Operations and Development at Atkinson Field, (now CBJA), Ogle Aerodrome, Amphibian Ramp at Ruimveldt and all Hinterland Landing Strips. He was the Authority advised by the Air Registration Board, UK, now CAA, for all Aircraft Air Worthiness, Pilot and Engineering Certification, Operations of all Government and Privately owned Aircraft, the day-to-day management of the Air Traffic Control Department and Airport Facilities.
In 1979 he retired from Guyana Civil Aviation and became the first Principal of the ICAO Pilot Training facility at Wallerfield, Trinidad, West Indies. He later served the Caribbean as DCA after organization of the Eastern Caribbean States based in Antigua, until 1996 when he retired to Toronto, Canada with his family.
Alex provided basic training for many prominent Guyanese pilots out of Ogle Aerodrome, who later became Captains of Guyana Airways and light aircraft Operators. He piloted the CAD Cessna 182 around Guyana, inspecting airstrips and further upgraded to the Cessna 310G Twin for VIP transport and Instrument Training and Certification of the Guyana Airways pilots.
Alec Phillips participated in the development of the Motor Racing Club at Atkinson Field and also became a successful racing driver on the circuits, starting up a sport that still exists in Guyana and some Caribbean Islands. He has left an impressive legacy, both as a patriot and a true son of Guyana.
Courtesy of Alex’s son Ian and motor racing associate, Mervyn Dornford.
