Director general of the T&T Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA), Ramesh Lutchmedial, is humbled to be a recipient of the country’s second highest award —the Chaconia Medal Gold—for long and meritorious service to T&T in the sphere of public service.
It is a fitting farewell gift from the Government as Lutchmedial’s contract ends on Sunday. He was appointed T&T’s first TTCAA director general and has a career in aviation of some 46 years.
Contacted last night after the awardees were released, Lutchmedial, said: “I am deeply humbled and I wish to thank sincerely the Dr Keith Rowley-led Government for recognising my contribution to aviation in our country.”
In 2001, Lutchmedial, 64, said he was given a clear mandate to operationalise the newly-established Aviation Authority. He implemented T&T’s first safety oversight system in accordance with the highest safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which qualified T&T to gain United States Federal Aviation Administration Category One Status in 2005.
Lutchmedial started his career in aviation 1969 after graduating from Presentation College, Chaguanas. He served for 31 years at BWIA, where he held several managerial positions, the last being director of air safety.
Under his leadership, the TTCAA was able to construct one of the most modern aviation complexes in the western hemisphere.
In addition to being a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, Lutchmedial has a master’s degree in business administration which he received last year.