Rotorcraft
Omni Helicopters Picks Two for Ab Initio Helo Training
The rigorous selection process involved nearly 20 candidates
Somant Heeralal and Yadram Ramcharran, Omni Helicopters
Somant Heeralal (left) and Yadram Ramcharran were selected to learn to fly helicopters, and they will eventually train to fly offshore. © Omni Helicopters International

Omni Helicopters Guyana, a subsidiary of Omni Helicopters International, is developing its own helicopter pilots with the selection of two Guyanese citizens and employees to learn to fly helicopters. Somant Heeralal and Yadram Ramcharran will soon begin ab initio training at Hillsboro Aero Academy’s helicopter pilot school in Troutdale, Oregon.

The two trainees will spend 16 months earning their commercial pilot certificates and instrument ratings. The selection process included aptitude, psychological, and medical tests, as well as helicopter underwater escape training.