Philippines/PAL Aviation School

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PAL Aviation School

History

The oldest snapshot of the PAL Aviation School website provides some history as follows:-

In May 1960, Philippine Airlines entered into a joint venture with FEATI (Far East Air Transport Incorporated) to train pilots. This marked the birth of the first Aviation School in Asia, PAL-FEATI. Subsequently, the school was reorganized in 1964 into PAL Aviation School.

During the seventies, with the growing demand for pilots in the Asian region and being the only country that offers Pilot Training Course, other Asian countries sent their qualified nationals to be trained as pilots for their airlines. The Malaysian – Singapore Airlines (MSA) started sending Ab-initio pilot trainees to PAL Aviation School for training as First Officers with Commercial and Instrument Ratings on the Fokker Friendship F-27. The school continued to train Ab-initio pilots for Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) and Singapore Airlines Limited (SAL) even after each country had opted to fly their own flag carriers.

As a result of the favorable reports of the survey and evaluation of the aviation school facilities and standards of instructions by the UK-CAA, the first group of seventeen (17) Ab-initio trainees for MAS sponsored by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) of the Government of Malaysia continued their training as F-27 First Officers with Commercial and Instrument Rating with PAL Aviation School.

In the spirit of further strengthening and enhancing the bond between the Asian regions, the school’s facilities and services were made available to airlines and aircraft operators in the region. BOURAQ Indonesia Airlines, Bangladesh Biman Airlines, Air Niugini, Air Pacific, Air Lanka, and Bali Air, also started sending their pilots to PAL Aviation School for Ab-initio, up-grading and recurrent training.

Not only did the Aviation School of Philippine Airlines trained pilots for foreign countries but it also trained pilots for the Philippine Navy, Constabulary and Army.

PAL began offering flying courses to paying students in 1988 after the school was granted government recognition through a certificate issued by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.

Through the years, PAL Aviation School carried on the tradition of training excellence that made it the primary source of Philippine Airlines’ corps of PRESTIGIOUS, PROFESSIONAL and COMPETENT PILOTS.

Source: About Us, PAL Aviation School PALPH-2017


PAL Aviation School and Malaysia Airlines

As stated in the quote above, the Malaysian – Singapore Airlines (MSA) sent Ab-initio pilot trainees to PAL Aviation School for training as First Officers. After the split, both Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) and Singapore Airlines Limited (SAL) continued to send Ab-initio pilots to the PAL Aviation School.

In January 2020 the Taal Volcano in Batangas, Philippines erupted spreading volcanic ash over Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and some parts of Central Luzon and Ilocos Region[1]. The Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) responded to an appeal for support:-

KLIA, 23 January 2020: In response to an appeal by the Manila Airport Operations Council (AOC) to airlines for support towards its “One for Taal” mission following the recent eruption of Taal Volcano, the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) today transported more than 15,000 inflight blankets for victims around the area. MAG has also organised a donation drive among its employees to donate cash or collect essential items which will be channelled via the AOC among the 150,000 people who have been displaced and are now finding shelter at various evacuation centres.

The airline has also reached out to MERCY Malaysia, a local humanitarian organization that provides medical and humanitarian services locally and abroad, to offer them with suitable travel arrangements, either by flying in volunteers or in assisting the transportation of emergency relief items should it be required.

Malaysian Aviation Group Chief Executive Officer, Captain Izham Ismail expressed, “Malaysia Airlines enjoys strong relationship with the airline and airport communities since we began our operations into Manila back in 1974. Our pilots, including myself, attended the Philippine Aviation School which is located near Lake Taal for our first training. Despite being from a foreign country, we were welcomed by the people of Luzon with their warm hospitality during our cadet years. My heart remains close to the people in the community as I know the difficulties they face there daily. With that, similar to our contribution for Australia, I am also pledging a MYR1 contribution from ticket sales of each passenger flown by Malaysia Airlines for the month of January 2020 to be donated to the people of Taal. It is more than just a responsibility to support our fellow ASEAN neighbours in their time of need. This contribution is made possible not without the strong support of Malaysia Airlines’ customers who have continued to fly with us over these years. I am also proud of the MAG family who have quickly come together to organise this donation drive, which truly reflects generosity being part of Malaysian Hospitality.

We sincerely hope that our contributions will help ease the burden of the affected communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with them always,” added Captain Izham.


Source: Malaysia Aviation Group Employees Join Hands to Assist Taal Volcano Eruption Victims, Malaysia Airlines MAS-MS-23Jan2020


PAL Aviation School and Zaharie Shah

The Safety Investigation Report MH370/01/2018 confirmed that the Pilot-in-Command of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 received his initial training at the PAL Aviation School:-

The PIC was sent to Manila in the Philippines to be provided ab-initio pilot training and graduated 2 years later with a Commercial Pilot Licence & Instrument Rating (CPL & IR). He joined MAS as a Second Officer in 1983 and was posted on the F27 where he obtained his initial airline flying experience.

Source: Safety Investigation Report MH370/01/2018 1.5.3 Pilot-in-Command




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