Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ largest carrier, announced the launch of its Cadet Pilot Program aimed at recruiting and training commercial pilots for the airline’s domestic and international routes.
The 96-week, self-funded program will be conducted at Airworks Aviation Academy in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Successful graduates will obtain a commercial pilot’s license, instrument rating, 200 hours of flight experience, and type rating on either the Airbus A320 or ATR 72-600.
“We’re thrilled to offer aspiring pilots the opportunity to become commercially licensed through our Cadet Pilot Program. Currently, we are the only airline in the Philippines with a cadet pilot program. This initiative will allow us to produce highly skilled pilots ready to provide safe, convenient, and reliable flights for every Juan,” said Capt. Samuel Avila II, Cebu Pacific’s Vice President for Flight Operations.
The program costs around 5 million Philippine pesos (about $90,000 USD) which cadets or their sponsors must finance themselves. However, the airline has partnered with the Bank of the Philippine Islands to offer exclusive loan packages.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens with a college degree and strong grades in math, physics and English. The airline says it will apply equal opportunity standards in the selection process overseen by Airworks.
After pre-screening, candidates undergo aptitude tests, interviews and medical exams before being offered a spot. The first phase covers aviation fundamentals over 4 weeks in Manila, followed by 68 weeks of flight training in Cebu and 24 weeks of airline integration preparation.
“For thirty years, Airworks Aviation has grown steadily to enable aspiring pilots to pursue a career in aviation. This cadet pilot program, which we launched together with Cebu Pacific, will allow us to further provide aspiring pilots with the means to fulfill their dreams at the most competitive cost and incentives. Together, we are forging the future of aviation in the country,” Airworks Aviation President Vincent Charles Ong said.
Over 5 years, Cebu Pacific aims to deploy 240-300 cadet pilots through the program.
This comes as the budget airline is on the heels of ordering 100-150 new widebody planes from either Airbus or Boeing. The order, which is expected to be announced in the second half of the year, is touted as the largest aircraft order in the history of Philippine aviation.
Interested applicants may apply through Airworks’ portal at bit.ly/CEBCadetPilot-apply.
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