2 Kapampangans among cadet pilots chosen for Australia training

FLAG carrier Cebu Pacific Air sent two Kapampangan cadet pilots and 14 others to Australia last April 11 to undergo intensive aviation training program at Flight Training Adelaide (FTA).

The 16 cadet pilots were selected from over 12,500 applicants. The two Kapampangan cadet pilots are Kayrwin Kirch Remolona from Mabalacat, Pampanga, and Juan Carlo Wage, a native of Bamban, Tarlac residing in Dau, also of Mabalacat City.

The 14 other cadet pilots are Dexie Jay Aljas (Banga, South Cotabato); Janine Alyssa Marie Bautista (Cainta, Rizal); Aaron Jhun Bernabe (Santiago City, Isabela); James Kevin Chua (Sta Cruz, Manila); Paulo Martin Concepcion (Sta Rosa, Laguna); Martha May De Leon (Sta Rosa, Laguna); Darryl Dave Ditucalan (Iligan City); Geronimo Miguel Mantes (Fairview, Quezon City); Lorenzo Miguel Montinola (Malate, Manila); Rydale Pintor (Cebu City); Ardeen Bernabe Reguyal (San Jose, Occidental Mindoro); Jose Angelo Santos (Cainta, Rizal); and twin brothers Ian John and Ivan Kevin Satentes (Noveleta, Cavite).

The applicants went through screening and a series of tests, as well as medical and physical examination, with 16 candidates attending an aviation foundation course at the Philippine Academy for Aviation Training inside Clark Freeport last month.

Wage and Remolona said hardships in life prompted them to pursue their dreams of becoming pilots.

Wage is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Economics at UP Clark. His parents worked as house helpers.

He said joining the program meant having the chance to improve the lives of his loved ones, especially his parents.

“I joined the program because I knew that it would change my life. Aside from being able to travel, and learn and experience new things, I want to pay my mom and dad back for their hard work, and give them a good life as well. And I really thank Cebu Pacific for their program,” he said.

Remolona, for his part, worked in an aircraft company based in Clark. He said being chosen as one of the 16 cadet pilots will open doors of opportunities for a soon-to-be father like him.

“This program will help me give my son a great future ahead. I would like to thank Cebu Pacific for this program that would enable financially challenged Filipinos like me to pursue my dream to fly,” Remolona said.

The aspirants thanked Cebu Pacific for opening a program that would enable financially-challenged Filipinos to achieve their dreams of becoming pilots.

The cadet pilots will be spending a total of 52 weeks at the FTA campus in Adelaide.

After successfully completing their training there, the cadet pilots will return to the Philippines to complete type-rating and licensing requirements to become commercial pilots.

After completion of the program, the cadet-pilots will become First Officers at Cebu Pacific and join the airline’s corps of aviators, flying domestic and international routes.

Cebu Pacific will shoulder the cost of the training, type-rating and licensing, with successful cadet-pilots guaranteed employment with Cebu Pacific.

They will then reimburse the cost of the program through salary deduction over a maximum of 10 years at zero-interest.

Cebu Pacific will be investing US$25 million in its cadet pilot Program.

In partnership with FTA, the program selects a total of 240 candidates over a five-year period, or 48 candidates per year divided into three batches, with each batch composed of 16 cadet pilots.

The program is open only to Filipino citizens who are college graduates, proficient in English and hold passports valid for at least two years prior to the start of the program.

The screening process for applicants begins with an online screening, followed by an on-site screening for core skills and pilot aptitude tests, among other examinations where a fee of AU$425 (P17,000.00) will be charged.

Candidates for the second batch of cadet pilots are currently being screened. Application for the third batch is set to open by mid-May 2018. (With Marna Dagumboy-Del Rosario/Sun.Star Pampanga Correspondent)

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph