Airlink in Malta

Last week the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) donated their first acquired aircraft to the Aviation Museum at Ta' Qali. It is an Agusta Bell 47G2 Helicopter ER AS7201 and it was assembled in the 1950s and delivered to us for basic pilot training. It was also used for coastal patrols, the shooting of photos, transport, the delivery of mail and on some occasions, water operations such as search and rescue.

courtesy TimesofMalta.com

Currently studies are being made to decide on the possibility of an airlink and heliport setup between Malta and Gozo. Helicopters are expensive to run and a British resident in Gozo with the name of Roy Perry is proposing some interesting suggestions to the government for the practical and economic needs of the islands.

As a qualified engineer, having a stint with the RAF and a past member of a group affiliated to the Royal Aeronautical Society he feels that he can provide informed consultancy in the matter. He was involved in aviation since 1951 and for a number of years had flown light aircraft in the UK, Guernsey, Holland and the USA.

For three years he assisted with an Air Rally in Guernsey and he had co-ordinated an Air Display in 1985 and flew one of the participating aircraft. He has been involved in cartography since 1967 and is very familiar with the land of his adopted island, Gozo. He also has contacts in the UK Civil Aviation Authority, The EU Transport Safety Administration and with aircraft manufacturers and users.

I got to know Roy some 17 years ago from the times when I used to publish a magazine for foreigners resident in Malta (the British Residents Association Magazine) and he used to contribute to it.

Here is a power point presentation that Roy had presented recently to various key persons involved in the matter. A document of past aircraft and future suggestions was also presented.

Flying to Calypso's Isle

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Roy loves Gozo and wishes all the best for it. His involvement in aviation, map making together with his fascination for islands (he is from Guernsy) could make him just the right candidate for such a crucial project to the Maltese Islands.

People are forgetting that 15% of vistors to Gozo are over 60 years and likely to be infirm or disabled. The AirLink will be a boon to them compared to the struggle to use bus and ferry.

Why discriminate against this age group?