The Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) is gearing up to play a key role in addressing the global shortage of aviation professionals, with its flying school highlighting the urgent need for the creation of the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines.
On Tuesday, PhilSCA Flying School Director Ret. BGen. Edwin Zamudio said the aviation industry will require nearly 2 million additional workers worldwide by 2043, including 649,000 pilots, based on projections from aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus.
“Ito ay multitrillion dollar na size ng ekonomiya na makakatulong ho sa ating bansa kung makakakuha tayo ng share dito kaya dapat pinaghahandaan natin ito (This is a multi-trillion-dollar global industry that will greatly benefit the country even if we capture just a small share so we should be preparing for this),” he said.
“Kaya naman pagdating po sa maritime ay number one na tayo, pero sana ho hindi lang sa maritime pati aviation industry (Just as we are number one in maritime, we also hope to become a global supplier of highly skilled aviation professionals).”
The proposed National Aviation Academy of the Philippines has already been approved by both houses of Congress and was submitted to Malacañang on Aug. 7 for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s signature.
Zamudio expressed optimism that the measure will be signed into law soon, enabling the country to strengthen its capacity to train world-class pilots and aviation specialists.
At present, PhilSCA offers government-funded pilot training worth PHP3.2 million per student, covering four qualifications: the Private Pilot License, Commercial Pilot License, multi-engine rating, and instrument rating.
Only the top-performing applicants are admitted —this year, just 35 out of 2,589 aspirants were accepted into the flying program.
Zamudio said all PhilSCA students are scholars, with programs ranging from aeronautical engineering and air transportation to aviation safety, electronics, logistics, and tourism.
“Wala namang babayaran ho iyong mga magulang kasi as I have said, iyong ating pong PhilSCA, iyong flying school ho natin ay scholar po sila ng bayan (The parents don’t have to pay anything because, as I mentioned, PhilSCA, our flying school, is funded by the government, and the students are scholars of the nation),” he said.
He added that once the students graduate, they can earn from PHP100,000 to PHP150,000 at the start of their careers as pilots, with senior captains abroad making as much as USD20,000 monthly.
He also assured that strict safety protocols mandated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) are observed, including aircraft maintenance programs, safety management systems, and medical standards.
Zamudio said the establishment of the National Aviation Academy will allow the Philippines to not only produce pilots but also aviation technicians, maintenance specialists, and flight operations experts.
The demand is massive, and the Philippines can take its rightful place as a key player in the global aviation industry with the right programs, activities, and budget, he said. (PNA)