Take flight, for free

Applications are open for a new batch of cadet pilots who will be trained to become full-fledged aviators for Cebu Pacific (CEB). CEB will be recruiting 16 candidates who will undergo a “study now, pay later, zero-interest” training program to become full-fledged commercial pilots with guaranteed employment with the airline.

The Cebu Pacific Cadet Pilot Program is open to all Filipino citizens who are college graduates and are proficient in English. There are no preferred college degrees, and applicants need only have an average grade of at least 70 percent or its equivalent in subjects related to Math, Physics, and English.

Through its course, students will entail 52 weeks of integrated flight training, theory, and education at Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) in Australia. They will undergo learning modules, train in a flight simulator and then on to an actual aircraft. Successful candidates will receive Diplomas of Aviation for Commercial Pilot License–Airplane, Instrument Rating, and for Pilot in Command. They will also undergo an additional four weeks of training to obtain a pilot’s license under the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

The entire program will be financed by Cebu Pacific. There is no application fee needed for the program and successful cadetpilots who enter the CEB corps of pilots will reimburse the cost of the program through salary deduction over a maximum of ten years at zero-interest.

This is followed by an on-site screening for core skills and pilot aptitude tests, among other examinations where a fee of AU $425 (about R19,000) will be charged. FTA will screen and shortlist all the candidates. Cebu Pacific and FTA will then jointly select the final Cadet Pilots through a final interview and deliberation.

Cebu Pacific Cadet Pilots application period will run from Feb. 15 to 24. Interested applicants may visit www.flyfta.com to apply for the program.