Capt. Robert Emmanuel Hayes, Nigeria’s first ever pilot, turns 80 today, Wednesday, May 13, 2015. However, he has chosen to have a low key celebration, only with a church service, in London, where he is currently based, to mark the day.
Born on May 13, 1935, in Benin City, Edo State, Capt. Hayes attended St. Patrick Catholic School, Sapele, Delta State and Government College, Warri (now Government College, Ugheli) also in Delta State. He picked up interest in flying while watching the Royal Marine officers on duty in Sapele in the 50s and desired to join the Royal Air Force.
In 1955, he became the first Nigerian to be certified a pilot, five years before independence in 1960.
In May 1955, at the age of 20 years, Capt. Hayes became the first Nigerian to get certified as a pilot with the Commercial Pilot License and returned to Nigeria in June 1955 to join the West Africa Airways Corporation, WAAC.
Between 1956 and 1960, the young Nigerian pilots in WAAC were allowed to fly as co-pilots on the local routes, along with the British and Europeans pilots. They were flying the B170, B114 and B104 aircraft.
In 1962, Robert Hayes and Rufus Orimoloye were sent for the Senior Commercial Pilot License training where they were made to fly the DC3 aircraft. While in training, they were promoted captains. When they returned home, they were asked to go for further training on F27 aircraft which the country’s airline, Nigeria Airways, had acquired.
The Nigerian pilots were able to start flying the international routes eventually in 1962 when the Nigeria Airways was formed. Captain Hayes also became the first Nigerian pilot to fly into New York and served as acting managing director of the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways. Many pilots at that time passed through the supervision of Captain Bob Hayes. He retired in 1990 after attaining the mandatory 35 years in service.
He was the first Nigerian pilot to attain that age in service. He worked on contract as a training captain and examiner, thereafter. Captain Hayes flew for 40 years in control and four years on contract consulting for Nigeria Airways.
One of his younger pilots in Nigeria Airways who rose to become Director of Operations, Capt. Dele Ore, had this to say of Capt Hayes: “Capt. Bob Hayes is my respected senior and a motivator. He went through a lot while fighting for us his younger pilots. He is a well respected airman. I wish him a happy birthday.’’
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