Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Trinidad and Tobago: Director: - I did fly with senior cop ...but it was on Cessna last July

Managing director of the T&T Air Support Co Ltd (TTAS) Dirk Barnes said he did fly on a Cessna aircraft in July last year with a senior police officer and a former US official. 

“A training session involves pre-flight instructions, one circuit around the airport, a landing and then a post-flight debrief,” Barnes said yesterday. He said the former US official flew the aircraft while he, as instructor, evaluated his (the official) performance. Asked why the senior officer went on the training session, he said the officer was experienced with the aircraft. Barnes repeated that the senior officer went on no test drive with his Zenith light sports aircraft.

He insisted he was not affiliated to any political party and got an air services contract for close to $1 million with the Police Service to supply light aircraft through no help or friendship from anyone. He added: “I registered my company, made sure I had all the documents in order and did my own thing. “It did not happen overnight but took months to get everything in order.” Barnes said while he and Eddie Dallsingh, of Navi-Comm Avionics initially started working on the project together, he (Barnes) did most of the work.

“When I realised that Eddie fell back, I went ahead and registered the company. Dallsingh is claiming he was the one who came up with the idea to supply light sports aircraft to the police to fight crime but said his proposal was rejected and Barnes’ favoured. He has questioned the tendering procedure. Barnes said Dallsingh’s company has been involved in repairing radios and radar systems on airplanes. “Where will Eddie buy his planes? I have the dealership for the entire Caribbean. He will have to buy it from me,” he said. Barnes said while he might have a new company he had the backing of Zen Air Canada, which had 30 years experience in the business. He challenged Opposition MPs Donna Cox and Colm Imbert, who have questioned the air surveillance capability of the light sports aircraft, to come for a test ride on his airplane.

Source:   http://www.guardian.co.tt

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