Three Bhutanese men left for Canada today to be trained as first helicopter pilots of the country. They will be trained to fly helicopters in mountainous setting for search and rescue operations and emergency medical services.
The trio, Sangay Tshogyel, 26, Ugyen Dorji, 25, and Namgay Rinchen, 24, are the employees of Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services.
“The government is spending so much on our training. We would like to thank the government for that. We will train well and come back to serve the country,” said Sangay Tshogyel.
Ugyen Dorji and Sangay Tshogyel studied Electronics and Communication Engineering in College of Science and Technology in Phuentshoging while Namgay Rinchen is a physical science graduate from Sherubtse College.
For the last one year, they were attached with three veteran pilots from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
After six-months training in Canada, they will sit for a final test called Bhutan Air Law Exam to secure a Bhutanese Commercial Pilot License.
More training will follow under the supervision of a Chief Pilot.