Training Report-EN

A flight instructor program, a Philippine Airlines-associated
program, and a program geared toward international students are
also available. Omni has appealed to a number of foreigners due
to its more economic pricing - alongside the overall lower cost of
living in the Philippines – and the high-level of competency, spoken
English and the open airspace within the country.
“Right now our airline cadet training program is very strong,”
says Virata. “Except for the last two months, we’ve had record
enrollment. People are aware that airlines are hiring and they’re
attracted to this program.”
Virata explained that going through an Omni Aviation program
doesn’t just provide students with the necessary skills to operate
an aircraft. “We try to build their soft skills, offering language
courses and personality assessments – providing advice on
characteristics necessary to pursue their path.”
In the future, the school is considering leadership training, as
well as sessions with a psychologist who will prepare candidates
prior to interviews. “The services we provide are integrated into
our programs, as a result of feedback from airlines. These are the
qualities major airliners would like to see in potential employees.”
pilots. “We build up their confidence, both males and females, so
that they can perform well under any condition,” concludes Virata.
Maintaining its status as one of the most quality schools in the
Philippines, Omni attributes its success to “great marketing, quality
control in training, and high standards in all that is done.” The
school continuously goes beyond what is necessary. Its multiengine
training integrated within the pilot cadet program is just one
example. “We require a multi-engine training, while other schools
do not. This is how we create quality candidates.”
With 18 Cessna 152s, five Cessna 172s, and one Piper Seneca, the
school continues to expand, improve and modernize the program
and its capabilities.
While Omni Aviation continues its success within the region, the
school is hoping to further develop through partnerships with
commercial airliners, business aviation companies, and other
industry members to create tailored ab-initio training. With Omni’s
air operator’s certificate (AOC), the school is also prepared to
expand its commercial business, enabling them to provide charter
services or commercial operations, supported by the training
school.
With Boeing and Airbus forecasting airline growth in Asia Pacific
to be 5.7%, requiring 226,000 pilots over the next 20 years, Omni
Aviation has positioned itself as a stronghold in the training school
market within the country. “Right now we are happy with our local
enrollment. We have online marketing recruitment and we’re also
looking at other countries, including Indonesia.”
www.omniaviation.com
* Read more about Magsaysay Group's CEO, Doris Ho in Asian Sky
Quarterly, 2016 Q2.
Virata went onto explain that Omni Aviation has made a concerted
effort to recruit the untapped market of females. The school boasts
a number of female graduates who have successfully completed
their programs and have gone on to become flight instructors and
2016 ASIA PACIFIC TRAINING SCHOOL REPORT | 13