PNG woman captains aircraft
Papua New Guinean pilot Beverly Pakii has become the first woman to command a Dash 8 aircraft for Air Niugini.
Captain Pakii, 29, a graduate from Air Niugini’s pilot cadet program, operated her first commercial flight on March 12. She flew from Port Moresby to Lihir, in New Ireland, then continued to Tokua airport in East New Britain and back to Port Moresby.
The flight was on a Link PNG aircraft. Link PNG is a subsidiary company of Air Niugini.
Air Niugini chief executive officer, Simon Foo, says the airline invests a lot of money and resources into training pilots and engineers and for a female to graduate into command is “encouraging and promising” for other women in the training system.
“Captain Pakii has come through the system holding a very high standard throughout,” he says. “Her dedication, commitment and humble demeanor to achieve her command is demonstrated in her professional conduct in all facets. Air Niugini congratulates Captain Pakii on her achievement and this milestone in her career. She is a role model to other aspiring female pilots.”
Captain Pakii started as a cadet with Air Niugini in 2004. She completed her training at PPT Flying School at Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, where Air Niugini sends its cadets annually.
After completing her studies, she returned to Air Niugini in 2006 where she operated as a first officer on a Dash 8. After meeting the minimum hours, she underwent command practice in preparation for becoming a captain. The comprehensive pilot training processes took the young pilot 10 years before achieving her command on the Dash 8.
Her father, Captain Ted Pakii, is an ex-Air Niugini pilot. He joined the airline from the PNG Defence Force in 1994 and commanded aircraft ranging from the Dash 7 to the Boeing 767.
Air Niugini has 50 cadet pilots, including five females.