Local aviation pioneer Harripersad Dass (Harry), chairman and chief executive officer of Briko Air Services Ltd, died over the weekend after suffering injuries from an accidental fall in Miami.
His death came as a shock to his three children, family members and staff at Briko Air Services located at Piarco and Camden in Couva.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian on Monday at the company in Camden, Couva base, Rooplal Dass, better known as Roops, chief pilot operator and director, said that his brother, who was on vacation, made a significant contribution to the aviation industry in T&T.
Harry, who had his private pilot licence and was a qualified engineer, established Briko Air Services Ltd in 1983. The company provides training for private pilots. Harry followed in the footsteps of his uncle, the late Jagnarine Dass.
In 2010, Briko started offering commercial flight training for fixed-wing aircraft.
Rooplal said his brother was a go-getter. He will now have to take over the reigns of the company.
“He always said let’s get the job done. Whatever challenges he met with he would always tell me to take up the pieces, look forward and make it happen,” Rooplal said.
Another brother, Kishore, recalled one of his best moment’s was going on a “special flight” with Harry, in his younger years.
“Harry did his aerobatic training and had a special aerobatic aircraft, a Cessna 150 Aerobat, and he took me on a flight and was doing aerobatic maneuvoers, that was just so memorable for me.”
Asked what’s next for Briko Air Services, Rooplal said that there would be a meeting with the directors of the company to determine the company’s next step but assured that his brother’s legacy and dreams would live on. The company also offers services for aerial spraying for the control of nuisance pests, control of forest fires, aerial mapping, flight training and public air transport.
Harry’s funeral will be held later this week followed by his cremation, at the Waterloo Cremation Site.
Rooplal said they were preparing a special send off for Harry with a fly-by display, using several of Briko’s aircraft, one of which will carry an aerial banner bearing a special message.
David Leader, Executive Director of Eagles Wings Aviation Mission Inc, yesterday gave credit to Harry Dass and Briko Air for a partnership they helped to create.
“I was seeking a co-sponsor for a student to pursue flight training and they willingly accepted. Today that student is a commercial pilot at an international airline. He (Harry) along with his devoted brother Roops was truly helping to make a difference, and for this I am eternally grateful,” Leader said.