Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading carrier, has launched its Cadet Pilot Program in partnership with Cebu-based flight training school Airworks Aviation, offering aspiring pilots training experience, mentorship, and guaranteed employment with the airline.
On June 6, 2024, CEB and Airworks Aviation formalized their partnership through the signing of a memorandum of agreement at NUSTAR in Cebu City. The signing ceremony was attended by officials from both companies, as well as Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Joseph Pangatungan and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo.
The CEB Cadet Pilot Program is a 96-week, self-funded initiative designed to train candidates to become licensed commercial pilots. The first phase of the application period ran from June 7 to 13, 2024, through CEB’s official communication platforms.
Capt. Samuel Avila II and Vincent Charles Ong with Cebu Pacific senior management executives, including CEB CEO Michael Szucs, Chief Operations Officer Javier Massot, Chief Human Resources Officer Felix Dan Lopez, and Chief Strategy Officer and Cebgo President Alex Reyes, and board members of Airworks Aviation. IMAGE Cebu Pacific.
Capt. Samuel Avila II, CEB Vice President for Flight Operations, emphasized the program's unique value: “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 such a program. This initiative will allow us to produce highly skilled pilots ready to provide safe, convenient, and reliable flights for every Juan.”
Highlighting the broader impact of the aviation industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) notes that every job in the air transport sector supports 29 other jobs in tourism, supply chain, and related fields.
Building on this industry context, Airworks Aviation President Vincent Charles Ong shared his enthusiasm for the training program. “For 30 years, Airworks Aviation has grown steadily to enable aspiring pilots to pursue a career in aviation. This Cadet Pilot Program, launched in partnership with Cebu Pacific, will allow us to further support aspiring pilots in fulfilling their dreams with the most competitive costs and incentives. Together, we are forging the future of aviation in the country,” Ong said.
Successful candidates will be invited to a panel interview with CEB. Those who pass will then undergo a medical assessment at a partner health facility. Once this is completed, candidates will be assigned to a training batch, pending their agreement to the Cadet Pilot Program's terms and conditions.
The program is divided into three phases. The first is a four-week Aviation Foundation Course to be conducted in Pasay City, Metro Manila.
For the second phase, the cadets will study at the Airworks Aviation Academy at Mactan International Airport, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, where they will undergo Basic Flight Training for 68 weeks.
In the program’s final phase, the cadets will return to Pasay City for the Airline Integration Training, which is set to run for 24 weeks.
To assist aspiring pilots with the financial requirements of their training, CEB has partnered with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to provide loan offers exclusive to the Cadet Pilot Program. BPI loans are also available for sponsors, such as parents or guardians, of cadet applicants.
To learn more about the program, visit https://bit.ly/CEBCadetPilot-FAQS or follow Cebu Pacific Air on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
