The Pilot Dream: Cebu Pacific’s First Batch of Cadet Pilots Are Now Training in Australia
If you believe you can fly.
by Tynne De Leon | April 23, 2018
Becoming a pilot is a dream for some people, but let’s face it: not all can afford to attend a flying school. That is why the country’s leading budget airline, Cebu Pacific, launched its Cadet Pilot Program last year with the aim of making aviation training more affordable for Filipinos. CEB recently sent off the program’s first batch to training!
16 were selected from 12,500 candidates. The final 16 Cadet-Pilots are Dexie Jay Aljas (Banga, South Cotabato); Janine Alyssa Marie Bautista (Cainta, Rizal); Aaron Jhun Bernabe (Santiago City, Isabela); James Kevin Chua (Sta Cruz, Manila); Paulo Martin Concepcion (Sta Rosa, Laguna); Martha May De Leon (Sta Rosa, Laguna); Darryl Dave Ditucalan (Iligan City); Geronimo Miguel Mantes (Fairview, Quezon City); Lorenzo Miguel Montinola (Malate, Manila); Rydale Pintor (Cebu City); Ardeen Bernabe Reguyal (San Jose, Occidental Mindoro); Kayrwin Kirch Remolona (Mabalacat, Pampanga); Jose Angelo Santos (Cainta, Rizal); twin brothers Ian John and Ivan Kevin Satentes (Noveleta, Cavite); and Juan Carlo Wage (Bamban, Tarlac).
In partnership with Flight Training Adelaide (FTA), they will undergo specialized aviation training in Australia for 52 weeks. The program will follow a study-now-pay-later structure. Training, type-rating and licensing will be initially shouldered by Cebu Pacific and guaranteed employment will be waiting for them upon completion of the program.
The Cadet Pilot Program is open to Filipino citizens who are college graduates (from any degree program!), proficient in English and has a passport valid for at least two years prior to the start of the program. The selection process includes online screening, on-site screening for more examinations like core skill exam and pilot aptitude tests. A fee of Php17,000 will be charged for the exams. CEB and FTA will jointly select the final list of successful cadet pilots-to be.
Interested to be part of this? The application for the third batch is set to open mid-May this year, so start preparing those credentials now!
