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This Week We Feature Young Professional Norville C. Brathwaite
There is an adage “the sky is the limit” but for this week’s young professional, the sky is his playground.
As a certified commercial pilot for more than a decade, Norville C. Brathwaite is a proud Virgin Islander who has made his family and countrymen proud.
He is currently in partnership with his family in operating VI Airlink – a Virgin Islands registered airline that flies charters to a number of Caribbean islands including St. Thomas, St. Croix and Puerto Rico.
But the 33 year-old confessed that becoming a pilot was not a tough decision to make since he was just following his passion and his father’s footsteps.
“I used to go flying with my dad, Neville Brathwaite Snr. at an early age, maybe even as a baby,” he said with a laugh. On a serious note though, the young professional knew he was going to handle the controls of an aircraft at age 15.
“That’s when I got my first taste of flying and it was exhilarating,” Norville recalled. He said his father had sent him and his brother Neville Jnr. to the flight centre in St. Thomas during school breaks.Two years later at age 17 he earned his private license.
Interestingly, after obtaining his license in 1996 and two years after graduating from the then BVI High School, Norville did a short stint at Scotia Bank as a Teller.
Cognizant of the fact that it was a major switch from his passion, the Virgin Islander explained “it was just for a short time. I spent less than a year before hitting the skies again.”
However, he had to hone his skills and earn the certifications that come with the privileges of becoming a commercial pilot.
Hence, with the financial backings and support from his family, the young Brathwaite enrolled at the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida where he obtained his Bachelors' Degree in Avionic Engineering Technology.
“It was a breeze for me there. I guess because of the time and effort my dad invested in me. I made him proud when I graduated,” Norville remembered. “And right now I am three courses shy of receiving my Masters in Engineering Management.
Over the years, this week’s young professional has gained experience flying as far north as Canada and as far south as South America and everywhere in between. He also gained his multi-engine sea rating, meaning he could fly sea planes.Asked what kind of aircrafts he has flown so far, Norville revealed “from a Cessna 172 up to the King Air A100.”
Describing himself as a dedicated and determined individual, instead of remaining in the United States, Norville returned home to help in the family business.
He revealed before the emergence of VI Airlink – his father operated Clair Aero.Now that VI Airlink has been making strides in the aviation world, both Norville and his brother, Neville, are kept busy flying clients to their chosen destinations in the Caribbean.
When he’s not in the air, he is buried in paper work. “That’s the part I don’t like,” he declared with a grin. “It’s not easy.”
Notwithstanding that, Norville has the skills and the knowledge to tackle any machinations of an aircraft. “My dad had instilled in me that I need to know everything, not just flying.”
As this young professional plans his future, he envisions expansion – both in his business and personal lives. “I hope in the not too distant future VI Airlink can have a larger aircraft where we can fly to the US mainland. That’s our ultimate goal.”
While he’s not working, this Virgin Islander loves to play volley ball and at one time was a member of the VI National team. He loves bikes as well.
Though he does not see himself as a role model, Norville’s advice to young VIslanders is that “you need to push forward in life, if you keep pushing you will persevere.”
In wrapping out the interview, Norville graciously thanked the women in his life – his mother and three sisters – for keeping him grounded.
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