Captain Robert Hamaty has made aviation history as the first Jamaican to pilot a DC8 commercial aircraft on a transatlantic journey. At just 26 years old, Hamaty flew the 10-hour non-stop flight from London to Norman Manley International Airport, carrying 89 passengers and a crew of six. With over a decade of experience in commercial aviation, Hamaty’s achievement highlights his dedication and expertise in the field.

Published Sunday, January 19, 1975

Jamaican flies DC8 Kingston, London, back

WHEN AIR Jamaica’s newest DC8 touched down at Norman Manley International Airport non-stop from London yesterday, it brought 89 passengers and a crew of six.
It was piloted on the 10-hour journey from London by a Jamaican, Robert Hamaty, son of the Custos of Westmoreland, the Hon M.N. Hamaty. He is the first Jamaican to fly this type of commercial aircraft on such a journey.

Hamaty piloted his plane from Norman Manley Airport last week Sunday to London, and remained in that city until the return flight yesterday. His plane carried, on the return journey, 89 passengers.

His two assistants were First Officer Bryan Chin and 2nd Officer David Wehby. “We had an excellent and smooth flight from London,” declared Pilot Hamaty in an interview with The Gleaner shortly after the plane landed.

Hamaty is a past student of Jamaica College. He began his flying career at the age of 16, and, by 17, he received a commercial licence to fly light planes.

A graduate of Emerydale Aeronautical Institute of Daytona Beach, Florida, Hamaty flew commercial planes for 10 years before joining Air Jamaica.

In 1970, he flew as first ffficer on a DC8. In 1972, he was promoted to captain of the DC9. In 1973, he was promoted to captain of the DC8 on the Atlantic route.

Before joining Air Jamaica, Pilot Hamaty flew an Air Caribbean Transport DC7 for two years on the Central and South America run, as well as for Jamaica Air Taxi. Now 26, he is married and has one daughter.

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