First Aviation Academy acquires PAL Aviation School assets

Aviation Updates Philippines – In an unprecedented yet practical move, First Aviation Academy, Inc. (FAAi) acquired various training assets from the Philippine Airlines Aviation School (PALAV), according to a report from Manila Bulletin’s Philip Cu Unjieng.

 PAL and FAAi executives present in the contract signing (from left): FAAi Chief Operating Officer MGen. Restituto Padilla Jr., PAL President Gilbert Sta. Maria, and Alvin Limqueco, PAL SVP for administration.

The report said the acquisition of PALAV’s assets, which places FAAi as one of the premier flying schools in the Philippines, will result in the transfer of nine Cessna 172 trainer aircraft and its Redbird Flight Training Simulator.

The formal contract signing took place on June 21, 2021, at the MacroAsia Board Room, attended by PAL and FAAi executives. As a result of the acquisition, PAL’s aviation academy will stop operations beginning end-June 2021.

The training of student pilots from PALAV will continue on FAAi as the academy now absorbs the assets. The move will benefit aspiring pilots in the future as the flying school continues to expand its capabilities to train and shape more pilots, eventually coinciding with the recovery of the aviation industry.