Mosquito Pilot Clocks Up a Fifteen Years Stretch

MRCU pilot Richard Clough

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Chief Pilot for MRCU Richard Clough, this month celebrated fifteen years with the Mosquito Research and Control Unit.

Born in Zimbabwe in southern Africa, Mr Clough has logged hundreds of flight hours as a pilot on crop spraying and tsetse fly eradication flights across Africa and in the United States. In 1989, Mr Clough joined the 50-person mosquito control unit of MRCU and in 1997 began supervising the five staff members who make up the aerial spraying team.

Daily flights, at an altitude averaging only 80 feet, are enjoyable in the reliable Ayres Turbo Thrush plane described as a “tractor with wings.” Mr Clough explains that “flying in Grand Cayman is never boring; I feel like I’m growing up with the island.” However he does emphasise that low flying is dangerous and pilots need to be observant and adhere to stringent rules.

One danger that has increased with construction on the island is the incidence of tall cranes left standing at night, often without safety lights. Mr Clough encourages crane operators to assist pilots by informing MRCU about the location of cranes.

Actual flying apart, Mr Clough credits the MRCU staff and management with making his job enjoyable. He explains, “MRCU management and the ministry have always supported safety and efficiency improvements in our unit.”

One such recent improvement is the computer-based flight track guidance system that utilises computer mapping, databases and global positioning satellite (GPS) to allow pilots to pre-program their daily flight routes. Tasks, including visually determining when the plane enters “spray-free” areas, are now automated and data is recorded for post flight analysis.

In the past, the benefits of aerial spraying were obvious to residents but recently Mr Clough has observed that people have become more concerned about environmental issues and are curious about methods used for mosquito control in the Islands. He is assured by the fact that MRCU only uses products approved by the USA’s Environmental Protection Agency.

Mr Clough is married to Dr. Virginia Hobday with whom he has two young sons. He also has two older sons from a previous marriage who have followed in the footsteps of their father and are pursuing careers as pilots.

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