Cebu Pacific opens applications for its ‘Study now, pay later, zero-interest’ Cadet Pilot training program

Leading Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) is opening applications for the seventh batch of Cadet Pilots to be trained at the prestigious Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) in Australia through CEB’s ‘study now, pay later, zero-interest’ training program. The carrier will be selecting 16 cadet pilots to join six other batches currently undergoing pilot training in Australia.
 
The application period for the seventh batch of Cebu Pacific Cadet Pilots will run from May 17 to 26, 2019. Interested applicants may apply for the program starting 8:00 am of Friday, May 17, 2019.
 
There is no application fee for the program. Only applicants who pass the online pre-screening will proceed with the next stages of the selection process. The selection process consists of interviews, computer aptitude tests, medical examinations, psychological tests, and spoken English tests. Only successful applicants undergo an on-site screening for core skills and pilot aptitude tests, among others, where a fee of AU$425.00 (about PHP19,000) will be charged.
 
The Cebu Pacific Cadet Pilot Program is a multi-million dollar initiative that aims to provide a steady flow of highly-skilled, internationally trained airline pilots over the next five years. Applicants must be Filipino citizens who are college graduates who are proficient in English. There are no preferred college degrees, and applicants need to have only an average grade of at least 80% or its equivalent in subjects related to Math, Physics, and English.
 
Cebu Pacific shoulders the entire cost of the pilot training. Cadet-pilots who successfully complete the training are assured of employment with the carrier. They then reimburse the cost of the program through monthly salary deduction over a maximum of ten years at zero interest.
 
One of these applicants was Darryl Dave Ditucalan from Iligan City. A certified Electronics and Communications Engineer, Ditucalan graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. His parents are farmers and local government officials in the province of Lanao del Norte. Ditucalan took a chance and applied for the program. After undergoing a comprehensive selection process, he became part of the first batch of CEB Cadet Pilots.
 
After a year of training in Adelaide, Australia, Ditucalan and 11 other cadets are set to return to the Philippines by mid-June where they are assured of positions as First Officers in the carrier’s pilot corps.
 
“To those wanting to be pilots but are financially or otherwise constrained, take advantage of this opportunity offered by Cebu Pacific. The ten year payback period is very affordable compared to what this career can bring to you and your family,” said Ditucalan.
 
Since the program was launched in late-2017, CEB has deployed 80 cadet pilots to FTA, selected from over 38,000 applicants, with a sixth batch set to depart for training by July 2019.