Aeronautical/Aviation/Pilot training schools in Cebu?

[c_cebrecus]

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LesPaul

which flight training organisations have you looked up in the manila and bulacan areas?

if you are not based in cebu and would find it a hassle moving to cebu for your training, check out Omni Aviation in Clark, Pampanga.

PM me if interested.

yah Omni is good too, heard they even have their own runway! cool! some of our instructors in Aviatour are also from omni..

[livewire]

met capt ian simeon of omni. i guess he is now connected with aviatour

yah Omni is good too, heard they even have their own runway! cool! some of our instructors in Aviatour are also from omni..

[c_cebrecus]

met capt ian simeon of omni. i guess he is now connected with aviatour

yes he is.. in fact we have an exam with him tomorrow..

[dream_888]

unsay requirement para mag PPL? how about CPL and IR pila ka hours?
kung naa kay IR, madawat naba ka sa airline? tnx.

[rodsky]

yah Omni is good too, heard they even have their own runway! cool! some of our instructors in Aviatour are also from omni..

Omni is tops.

-RODION

[c_cebrecus]

unsay requirement para mag PPL? how about CPL and IR pila ka hours?
kung naa kay IR, madawat naba ka sa airline? tnx.

for PPL, at least 16yrs old.. good eyesight is best.. CPL and IR and Multi-engine = 165hrs.. most airlines have a minimum requirement of any 4-year bachelor's degree, so IR is not enough.. minimum age requirement for airlines is 21 (because it's at that age where you are already finished with a 4-year course).

[LesPaul]

thanks PissKhanXXX for the tip!

[junmar4]

pila sad ang tuition for the whole flying coursE?

[c_cebrecus]

anyone know of any aviation supplies shop here in cebu?

[rodsky]

I'm going to repost some posts made by "Windwalker", a friend who's a captain for Cebu Pacific. His posts will be in green:


Due to the numerous e-mails and Private messages I've recieved concerning this topic, its probably best (and long overdue in this forum) that a thread be made on "How to become an airline pilot."

So, in a no-nonsense manner:

1. Finish College - From an airline point of view, if you're an undergrad, you won't be considered. Nowadays, airlines require their pilot applicants to be college graduates. More importantly, you should realize that the "filtering" process towards becoming an airline pilot is long, harsh, and gruelling. Not all of those who "dream" of becoming a pilot, make it. Even fewer actually become airline pilots. If you become one of those who do not "make it", a college degree (preferably a non-aviation related course), ensures that you have a "fall-back" and that your life doesn't get stuck in a rut. This is not meant to discourage anyone, it's just a reality that you have to come to terms with. I mentioned that you should preferably have a non-aviation related course. This is because the aviation industry itself is a volatile one. Companies (not necessarily airlines) come and go. Having knowledge of a different field, again, offer you more options regarding career paths.

2. Take care of your health - You must be physically fit to fly. There are a number of medically disqualifying conditions (which I won't elaborate on). If you don't take care of your health, your "dream" can be over before it starts. If you can help it, avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Both lower your physical tolerance. Drugs are a definite no-no. The airman's medical exam is a tough one. Airline pilots do it every 6 months. If you fail - end of career.

3. Attitude is everything - Maturity, discipline, intelligence, initiative, diligence, patience, team player, emotionally stable - these are traits that airlines look for most in their pilot applicants. Its best that you mentally shape yourself accordingly as early as possible. "Maverick"in the movie "Top Gun" popularized the "hot-shot, loose cannon" pilot stereotype. But that's Hollywood. In the real world, that type of attitude nearly guarantee that you will fail airline interviews. You could be the greatest pilot in the world, but if you have a lousy attitude, you won't find airlines willing to hire you.

4. Be prepared to spend for training - Company sponsored ab-initio training is difficult to obtain and slots are very limited. If you get it, good for you. If not, then be cautious about choosing where to learn how to fly, and be aware that good training often comes at a price. Going to a "fly-by-night" flying school is a quick way to sabotage your goal. During interviews, questions concerning "basics" applicable to all pilots (regardless of background) are asked. If you fail to answer a few of them, you're history. Having the "fundamentals" of flying down to the nth degree cannot be stressed enough, and this can only be brought about by good quality training.

As I mentioned earlier, the path to becoming an airline pilot is a long and ardous one. It will involve much sacrifice on your part. I haven't met any airline pilots that said they had an easy time becoming an airline pilot. But if you do ultimately become an airline pilot, you'll find that it can be very rewarding, both from a personal and financial standpoint.

Last year, I was selected to be a "role model" for a calendar themed "Aspire to Inspire" by the Kythe Foundation. Let me share a thought which was chosen for that calendar: "Becoming a pilot requires a definite resolve to achieve your ambition. It is a very difficult endeavor, but it all comes down to how badly you want it. Its all about attitude."

Here are some of Windwalker's choice schools in the Philippines:


For training (my preference):

1. Airworks (Meynard Halili) - The best, quality wise but very expensive. I don't think of it as a flying school. It's more of a "polishing" school for me. There are those who go to Airworks and take the PPL through CPL course, but these are far and away, very few. I personally did "study" under Meynard. When I first met Meynard and did the sim with him, I already had an ATPL, instrument rating, and a substantial amount of actual instrument and night flying time. My involvement with Meynard was to evaluate his instrument refresher course for possible use by A. Soriano Aviation. Meynard, on the other hand wanted to see if this clown evaluating him could "walk the walk." But anyway, my opinion on Airworks is that it is recommended, but not required.

2. OMNI Aviation - Possibly the best all around place for instruction. Good instruction at a more reasonable price tag. An advantage is that they "adjust" to the student. Those wanting to learn to become pilots and still keep their day job can do so. You learn at your own pace. OMNI would be my recommendation if you want to learn how to fly. I have my nephew taking his flight training at OMNI, and several Airline Captains have their sons/daughters enrolled at OMNI too.

3. Henry Ongchua - Not a school. A man. Probably the best quality theoretical instruction available - on a par with Meynard Halili. Will hold class at a venue of your choice and at your convenience. The only disadvatage of Henry is that he cannot provide actual flying lessons and simulator time. Henry is not a pilot himself. But don't let that mislead you. He's very, very good. If you're interested, SF knows how to find him.

4. PAL Aviation school - Good enough, quality-wise. The biggest advantage of the PAL AvSchool is the guarantee of employment. Training loans are also available through Allied Bank. I, personally, am a PAL Aviation School graduate. I did not go on to fly for Philippine Airlines (I didn't entertain the thought). I had other plans.

QUESTION: What's the typical path for those who would like to get rotary/fixed wing ratings, those who would like to become Corporate Pilots? Are the basic requirements somehow similar to that of the airlines? How about employment opportunities? Because I figured this is another option to consider aside from the usual path of becoming a Flight Instructor and log more hours, gain more experience as you work your way towards that much coveted ATPL.

ANSWER: The typical path to a rotary rating is to join the Air Force. Learning how to fly a helicopter privately is very expensive. Corporate flying? Normally you go through the same type of training. Corporate Aviation establishments may require different experience backgrounds. Outside of the Airlines, Corporate Aviation employment opportunities are very rare here in the Philippines. These are due to the following reasons:

1. Maintaining a corporate aviation division is very expensive. During an economic pinch, the aviation division is usually the first to be closed down.

2. They are usually very small, fleet-wise, and do not need very many pilots. They usually cross-qualify their pilots on several aircraft, and this keeps the costs down and streamlines the operation.

3. Because of the type of airplanes they use (high performance), Corporate Aviation divisions do not want "newbies" and do not have the resources and/or patience to train a "newbie" while he gains experience. Majority of Corporate operators want "ready-made" pilots to man their aircraft.

I came from Corporate/General Aviation. I was just lucky that A. Soriano Aviation was hiring (and their requirements were low). Before that, I too was "kicking a can" around the airport, looking for someone to take pity on me. It wasn't easy then, it isn't any easier now. That's why most guys go the Flight Instructor or fish hauling route into the airlines.

Let me clarify something, though. You do NOT need an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) to get into the airlines. A CPL with an intrument rating is the minimum requirement. Only Captains are required to maintain an ATPL.

Hope this helps give insights to the budding flyers out there.

-RODION