BECOME A PILOT FOR FREE. AirAsia Philippines CEO Dexter Comendador (2nd from left) and Omni president Steven Virata (2nd from right) sign their partnership for the Cadet Pilot Program on Wednesday, July 24, at the carrier's office in Pasay City. The partnership will allow deserving but not financially capable candidates to become pilots. (Photo courtesy of AirAsia)
MANILA -- Aspiring pilots now have better chances of fulfilling their dreams for free, via AirAsia Philippines' Cadet Pilot Program.
AirAsia Philippines inked a partnership with Omni Aviation Corporation on Wednesday, to provide up to two years of technical and leadership training to aspiring pilots, whether they are already employees of AirAsia or anyone else with dreams of flight.
The initial batch will be composed of 10 trainees or cadets. The requirements for application, as well as the schedule, will be announced later, according to the airline management.
Successful applicants will undergo training designed to also enable them to assess flight situations they might encounter as pilots. The training was designed to equip them with the skills and competencies required by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, AirAsia announced that it would shoulder the full training costs and subsidies for this program. Trainees will reimburse costs associated with the training after completing the program, it was clarified.
An executive of another local carrier earlier told the Philippine News Agency that one needs to prepare PHP2 million to PHP3.8 million for a 12-month training to become a pilot. (PNA)
