CEB invests $25-M to train pilots
THE country's leading airline, Cebu Pacific, will be investing $25 million to train 250 cadet-pilots to become full-fledged first officers and eventually captains, an executive of the airline said.
"The program will allow us to train homegrown Filipino pilots with best-inclass international standards. The candidates need not worry about shellingout money for tuition to flying school to achieve their dream," said Lance Y. Gokongwei, President and CEO of Cebu Pacific, during the launch of the Cebu Pacific Cadet Pilot Program on Tuesday in Metro Manila.
Cebu Pacific said in a statement that the Cadet Pilot Program, which will be conducted in partnership with Australian-based Flight Training Adelaide (FTA), is a 56-week program that recruits candidates from ab initio and puts them on an integrated flying training, flight theory, and education course to become licensed commercial pilots. Training on a flight simulator and then flight time on an actual aircraft are also part of the program.
"After completion of the program, the cadet-pilots become First Officers at CEB, and join the corps of aviators at Cebu Pacific, flying domestic and international routes," the airline said.
Gokongwei said Cebu Pacific will shoulder the cost first and expose candidates to one of the best pilot training facilities in the world.
"Through this program, we aim to have continued access to a pool of highly skilled aviators that would support our growth," he said.
The airline added that successful cadet-pilots have guaranteed employment with Cebu Pacific upon graduation.
"They will then pay for the cost of the program through salary deduction over a maximum of ten years," Cebu Pacific said.
Sixteen candidates will be chosen per batch, with Cebu Pacific sending three batches of cadet-pilots per year.
"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 AUS$425 (P17,000.00) will be charged. Cebu Pacific and FTA will jointly select the final list of candidates," Cebu Pacific said.
“We are proud to support the expansion of Cebu Pacific, and be part of its thrust to connect more of the Philippine islands and enable economic development. Our partnership with Cebu Pacific will create future competent pilots; uplift their lives and that of their families,” said Johan Pienaar, Chief Executive Officer of Flight Training Adelaide, in a statement.
The program is open to all Filipinos who are college graduates, proficient in English and hold passports valid for at least two years prior to the start of the program.
The Cebu Pacific Cadet Pilot Program is set to start on the beginning of 2018, with the final list of 16 aimed to be completed by December 2017. Interested aspirants may apply at http://bit.ly/CebCadetPilots. RJL with PR