Four Bermudians have passed through the storm of examinations to become qualified weather observers.

Mr. Lyle Millett, Mr. Wayne Little, Mr. Derrick Burgess and Mr. Chris Black can now call themselves meteorological technicians.

The four had to pass practical and academic tests to earn special certificates, which were handed out to them last week by Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess.

Course instructors were among those at a presentation ceremony at the weather station at the US Naval Air Station in St. David's.

Mr. Burgess was quick to praise the quartet, hailing them as an example of the success in training Bermudians to replace the departing US Navy personnel at the Base.

He spoke of three groups responsible for ensuring a smooth transition at the Base -- Government, Bermudian employees, and Serco Aviation Services Inc., the Canadian contractor hired to run the Airport for the next five years.

Already the hand-over had gone extremely well, said Mr. Burgess.

"There has been a seamless transition, with no major problems.'' Mr. Burgess spoke of the frequent movement of aircraft at the Civil Air Terminal, adding: "We have received very positive feedback from pilots.'' One of those at the weather station ceremony was senior meteorological technician Mr. Brian Peters, who is responsible for continuing the Bermudians' training.

"The four have now reached international certification standard for weather observers,'' he explained.

Mr. Black pointed out the course started in January, and in the following weeks the students learned how to make accurate weather readings, and distribute the information.

They were also taught about visibility, cloud types, water spouts, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and other weather systems.

The date on the minds of students and instructors alike as training got under way was June 1 -- when the station was to be manned for the first time ever by an all-Bermudian team with no US personnel back-up.

Mr. Black, who had been taking flying lessons in the US when the job at the weather station was advertised, had no doubt he made the right decision to apply.

"I have no regrets at all,'' he said.

With the first part of their training behind them, the outlook for the Bermudians is extremely fair as they look forward to becoming fully-fledged weather forecasters.

They may even have the chance to continue their studies in the University of Miami, before returning to Bermuda.

SUNNY LOOKS -- Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess (centre) is flanked by, from left, qualified weather observers Mr. Lyle Millett, Mr. Wayne Little, Mr. Derrick Burgess and Mr. Chris Black.