Cebu Pacific and a Canadian firm will put up a aviation training center in Clark, Pampanga

An aviation training academy will be put up in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. Cebu Air Inc. (CEI) has signed an agreement with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) to put up a world-class aviation training academy to train pilots in the Asia-Pacific region.

The said project is estimated to cost $40 million to $50 million a join venture of Cebu Pacific Air and Canadian Aviation Inc. (CAE).

According to Cebu Pacific the aviation academy is scheduled to start operations in the third quarter of 2012.

“We are proud to partner with CAE to support CEB’s growing fleet, expansion plans and training requirements. This will also help make Asia-Pacific’s vibrant aviation industry more appealing in the face of growing competition for well-trained aviation professionals,” CEB president and CEO Lance Gokongwei said in a statement.

“By partnering with CAE, CEB once again underscores its commitment to enhance the Philippines’ tourism and aviation potentials by producing world-class pilots and crew,” Gokongwei said.

Jeff Roberts, CAE’s group president of Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services, said, “We are excited about this new relationship with CEB and the opportunity to help meet the increasing demand for high-quality pilots and other commercial aviation professionals in the Philippines and throughout the region. The new training center will be a world-class, one-stop training center for CEB and a hub for training services for other airlines.”

Image Credit: Philippineairspace dot blogspot dot com

The 9,147-square-meter aviation academy would be developed in partnership with Canadian Aviation Inc. (CAE), a global leader in modelling, simulation and training for civil aviation and defence. The groundbreaking ceremony will be on January 24, with President Aquino as the special guest.

The training facility will be equipped with the most modern flight-training equipment and will initially have two simulators that will serve Cebu Pacific and offer training services for other airlines.

According to some studies Asia region would be needing at least 72,000 pilots in the next 20 years.