Aviation pioneer has fond memories

One of the pioneers of Bahrain's aviation in-dustry is retiring to his native India after 35 years.
Aircraft engineer George Philip said he and his wife Susan would be returning to India this week with warm memories of what became their second home.
Mr Philip, a helicopter engineer with the BDF until two years ago, came to Bahrain 35 years ago with his wife and their two children - daughter Asha and son Anil - as an employee of the Gulf Aviation Company, which is now Gulf Air.
He went on to achieve an aircraft maintenance engineer's licence from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), along with American licences in aircraft engine maintenance and air frame maintenance.
Mr Philip was later transferred from Gulf Air to the then newly-formed Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) to establish its engineering division.
He studied abroad for different courses with his best friend Ibrahim Nabi, who is the present superintendent of engineering division of BAS.
Mr Philip was later recruited for the then newly-formed Bahrain Defence Force by Captain Abdul Latif Zayani, who was maintenance commander of BDF helicopter Air wing.
"I received a lot of encouragement from Major General Dr Abdul Latif Zayani, who is now the chief of Public Security," said Mr Philip.
"During the interview, he said: 'We in military cannot make you a millionaire, but we can offer you an excellent working environment for you to remember'.
"After working for 26 years with BDF, I realise how truthful and genuine were his words."
Mr Philip, now aged 70, left the BDF to take care of his wife, after she suffered a stroke two years ago.
"I shall always remember with gratitude the support I received from BDF during my wife's illness," he said.
"I am especially thankful to Wing Commander Brigadier Maher Musallam, Colonel Khalid Ansari, Lieutenant Colonel Nabeel Barjas and the BDF Hospital doctors and other staff."
"Bahrain has been our second home, and we have only good things to remember of this great country," he said.
20/12/08 Soman Baby/Gulf Daily News, Bahrain

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Categories: Foreign Dec 2008