Two young Anguillian pilots have been promoted to the rank of captain in command at locally owned charter carrier Trans Anguilla Airways.
Shemar Watty, 22, took the helm of the Cessna 402C and Ian Richardson, 28, was released as captain in the Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander – both light, twin-engine aircraft.
The appointments are “a powerful symbol of legacy taking flight, and the next generation of aviation leadership born and nurtured right here in Anguilla”, a press release from Trans Anguilla Airways said.
The two pilots have trained, flown and risen through the ranks under the mentorship and standards of the Trans Anguilla Airways flight operations team.
Their inaugural flights as captains included scheduled passenger services across the northern Leeward Islands.
The flights touched down in St Kitts, Nevis and Antigua, and were completed with professionalism, confidence and precision, the press release said.
The pilots were formally released to the rank of captain by Chief Pilot Captain Rodney Webster on 16 June.
“This achievement is more than a personal milestone. It is a powerful statement about community investment, generational vision and the bright future of Caribbean aviation,” the press release said.
“It honours the legacy of pioneers like George Joshua Gumbs and shines a spotlight on what’s possible when young people are empowered, supported and equipped to lead.”
The spokesperson continued: “To Captains Watty and Richardson: Your journey inspires us all. You are proof that the skies are not the limit they are just the beginning.
“From the entire team at Trans Anguilla Airways, we say: Congratulations, Captains! And thank you for flying the flag of excellence and local pride.”
Watty is the grandson of the late founder of Trans Anguilla Airways, George Joshua Gumbs, and son of Dorren and Bernice Watty.
Trained in the UK and the US, he earned his commercial pilot’s licence through FAA-accredited flight school Paris Air.
He returned to Anguilla as the first pilot in his family – flying for the airline his grandfather founded and continuing a proud legacy in Caribbean aviation.
Richardson is the son of Chris and Sandra Richardson and grandson of pilot Ian Kelsick, after whom he is named.
Born in Chicago and raised in Anguilla, he developed a love of aviation as a baby – eventually training at CTI Flight School in the US and earning his commercial licence in 2020.
Now he has returned home to take his place as pilot-in-command at TransAnguilla Airways, fulfilling a childhood dream and inspiring a new generation.
