A group of like-minded Bermudian pilots and flight enthusiasts have started working to capitalise on growing interest on the island in aviation.

Following feedback and interest from their first information sessions last month, the members of Aviators Alliance Bermuda are drawing up plans to hold social events in the months ahead as they plan their way forward.

Tariq Lynch-Wade, a commercial pilot and founder of AAB, said: “It was a group decision. It was very organic how we got to this point.

“It was a few years in the making, we were all on our own individual paths to aviation.

“Whether it was chasing the dream of becoming a pilot, furthering our education or supporting our sons.”

Mr Lynch-Wade, who recently joined BermudAir as the airline’s first Bermudian-licensed pilot, said the group members had met at an aviation-related meeting.

Other members of the group include young private pilots Christian Warren and Remy Donawa, their parents Nicole Warren and Rona Donawa, and Ian Frith, a student pilot.

Mr Lynch-Wade said: “We realised that there are so many pathways that could be created, particularly for Bermudians who are looking to get into the aviation space.”

The group formally met last November and, following initial discussions, their plans evolved to collaborate and share information on the sector with people interested in the field.

The group held its first public forum on March 18 at the Bermuda College, where information on becoming a pilot was shared with more than 100 attendees.

Mr Lynch-Wade said the group planned to hold sessions to show people about careers in aviation, including air traffic control and aeronautical engineering.

He said that ultimately, the group was a network for pilots, those in training or people who wished to become pilots.

Mr Lynch-Wade added: “We all have day jobs so we are relying heavily on those who express an interest.

“Now that we have a bit more visibility, we can go into schools, go to career fairs and have talks.”

He said such moves were among plans which the group intended to iron out during upcoming meetings.

Mr Frith said the group was working to make it possible for anyone from age 14 to realise their dreams of becoming an aviator.

He explained: “My dream of flying an aircraft was many decades ago at the age of 9, so now I’m actually doing the training.

“It is doable and we are going to bridge that gap. I am enjoying the journey, it’s nice because it is something I wanted to do.”

Mr Warren, who became a pilot last year at the age of 17, said it was important to have a group of people who shared common interests in aviation.

He said: “There has to be a lot more support because right now people may think it is not possible for them because they may not see anyone else doing it.

“But now they can see that they can reach out to someone like Tariq and get that information.”

Ms Warren added: “We are the moms who follow our sons through aviation and it was just for love.

“We love the industry as mothers, so we decided to sit down and by January we knew we were going to put together plans for a forum.

“We initially thought we would have about 25 people but we ended up having more than 100 at the Bermuda College.”

Ms Warren was surprised by the mixture of people who attended the forum. She said: “It shows that we can use aviation as a community initiative.”

Ms Donawa said that, over the years, the group members had heard of Bermudians who were interested in aviation.

However, at the forum last month they met others that they had no idea were interested in the sector.

She added: “The need is there, we want to demonstrate that it is accessible for Bermudians because it is quite difficult in Bermuda to go down that pathway.”

Ms Donawa was also encouraged by the interest shown by females in becoming aviators.

The group relies on the resources of its members and Ms Warren noted that the meeting last month brought in stakeholders who could make an impact to the sector.

She said: “There is an opportunity by proxy of our desire for aviation to grow.

“We found there are little pockets of people attached to aviation but it’s nice to know where those common interests are.”

Mr Lynch-Wade said the group had picked up momentum in recent weeks.

He added: “It’s just getting the people together, getting the conversations happening.

“That’s because you never know who has what influence but our core interest is to seek out pathways to help those who don’t know how to get into aviation.”

Mr Lynch-Wade said: “Interest has to meet the intent and that’s what we are interested in.”

• For more information, e-mail aviatorsalliancebda@gmail.com. The group can also be found on Instagram @aviatorsalliancebda