Airline Flight School in Clark to Make Asia Pacific’s Aviation Industry More Attractive
Airline flight school a joint project of Cebu Pacific and CAE
“The establishment of the Philippine Academy for Aviation Training Inc., (PAAT) in Clark, Philippines will help make Asia Pacific’s vibrant aviation industry more appealing in the face of growing competition for well-trained aviation professionals.”
This was disclosed by Cebu Pacific (CEB) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lance Gokongwei during his speech presented in the groundbreaking of the airline flight school PAAT, where President Benigno Aquino III was guest of honor.
PAAT is a $50-million investment between Cebu Pacific Airlines and a Canadian firm, CAE (formerly Canadian Aviation Electronics) which is the oldest and largest simulation and training firm for civil aviation and defense. According to Gokongwei, “this partnership with CAE is to support CEB’s growing fleet, expansion plans, and training requirements.”
“By collaborating with CAE, CEB once again underscores its commitment to enhance the Philippines’ tourism and aviation potentials by producing world-class pilots and crew,” he said.
Courses that the academy will be offering include type rating training or standard initial and transition training course that shall provide pilot trainees with sufficient knowledge and competence to pass required practical exams of the Regulatory Authorities for aircraft type rating pilot certificate, upgrade course that shall enable A320 pilots trainees who hold aircraft type rating to upgrade from first officer to captain and recurrent course that shall provide pilot trainees who hold aircraft type rating, with an ongoing training requirement that ensures that aircraft type rated pilots can maintain proficiency.
It is also expected in the near future to provide training for other aviation personnel such as cabin crew, dispatch, ground handling personnel and cadets.
The training center will be developed in consultation with CAE’s training facilities design team and will initially be equipped with two Airbus A320 full flight simulations (FFSs) with the capability to expand by two additional simulators.
According to October 31, 2011 Airbus data, the A320 platform is Airbus’ most popular seller and accounts for 57 percent of all airbus orders in the Asia Pacific region or 1,937 planes currently on order.
Gokongwei said that “we estimate that the Philippines alone will have approximately 100 A320s in the next six years from about 60 as of end 2011.”
PAAT will have a total of two simulators increasing to four in the next six years, but can expand further depending on the demand.
And each simulator at the airline flight school can train or certify approximately 300-700 pilots per simulator per year. (WLB/Joelyn G. Baluyut/PIA-3)
