PAL Pledges P10M Scholarship for Women in Aviation

"When little girls see women take on leadership roles, it inspires them to pursue the same and possibly go beyond." -Captain Lilybeth T. Ng, AVP for Pilot Affairs

PAL celebrates #InternationalWomensMonth with a commitment to empowering aspiring women pilots.

Through their Fly With Her Program, PAL is contributing Php 10 million to the PAL Foundation in order to boost the number of women pilots on the airline. This initiative supports the PAL Foundation's mission to award scholarships to underprivileged but worthy students, as well as PAL's dedication to diversity, inclusiveness, and gender parity in aviation.

Fly with Her Program

Championing women in aviation is something Philippine Airlines has done for  decades. In 1989, our very own Aimee Carandang-Gloria became Southeast  Asia's first woman pilot to fly a commercial airline flight. She broke barriers  again in 1993, by becoming the region's first woman airline captain.

To date, over 80 women pilots fly for PAL, representing 9% of our pilot roster.

But that’s not enough as there are approximately only 6% of women pilots worldwide1.

The "Fly With Her" Program (the "Program") is an initiative by Philippine  Airlines ("PAL"), in partnership with PAL Foundation, aimed at increasing  female representation in the airline’s pilot workforce. This Program aligns with PAL’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and fostering gender equity in the aviation industry and with PAL Foundation's mandate to provide educational opportunities through scholarships, furthering its goal of creating a positive impact on society.

Terms and Conditions

 

Program Objective

To provide scholarships to aspiring Filipina pilots needing financial assistance.

 

Program Award

PAL will allocate PHP 10,000,000.00, to be managed by the PAL Foundation, in support of the Program. This fund will award PHP 2,500,000.00 each to four (4) deserving and qualified female cadet pilots to help kickstart their aviation training. The scholarship award of PHP 2,500,000.00 for each selected candidate shall be disbursed directly to the designated partner school to help partially cover the tuition fee for the candidates’ pilot education.

*The scholarship is non-transferable and subject to applicable tax regulations

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for consideration under the Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Must be a female cadet

• Must demonstrate financial need and inability to fully fund aviation training, supported by appropriate documentation (e.g., financial statements or certifications).
• *Disclaimer: The program will only partially cover initial training costs. There will be additional fees which need to be covered/fulfilled by the trainee.
• Must have finished at least an undergraduate college/university degree program and possess strong academic records, particularly in fields related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), with an aptitude for aviation.
• Must be proficient in the English language, both spoken and written.
• Must be physically and mentally fit as certified by PAL aviation medical professionals.
• Must have no adverse, disqualifying, or derogatory records.
• Must be willing to apply and enroll to PAL’s partner aviation school. Enrollment requirements to be announced soon.
• Must comply with all training and assessment requirements as determined by PAL.
• Demonstrate exemplary conduct, leadership potential, and dedication to the aviation profession.
• Must complete aviation training within 12 months, demonstrating the ability to commit full-time to the Program.
• Must commit to serving with PAL after training, subject to certain terms and conditions.
• Other additional criteria as may be prescribed by PAL.

*Failure to comply with any of the criteria shall result in disqualification.

Selection Process

• PAL will oversee the selection process of eligible candidates.
• The final selection of recipients will be made by the PAL President and the Board of Directors.
• Selection will be based on financial need, merit, potential, and adherence to the Program’s eligibility criteria.
• Candidates may be subject to additional assessments, interviews, or evaluations to determine their suitability

Program Implementation and Oversight

• PAL Foundation will manage the disbursement of the funds and overall administration of the Program, ensuring the selection process is fair and transparent.
• PAL and PAL Foundation will execute a public awareness campaign to promote the Program and encourage more women to pursue careers in aviation.
• Selected candidates must sign an agreement outlining the conditions of the scholarship, including maintaining high standards of performance and professionalism.

Obligations of Awardees

• Must uphold the values and standards of PAL, serving as role models for aspiring female aviators.
• May be required to participate in PAL-sponsored events, PAL Foundation’s mentorship programs, or other promotional activities related to the "Fly With Her" Program.
• Must pass the CAAP Class 1 Medical Certificate and meet PAL’s physical and health requirements for commercial pilots.
• Employment with PAL shall be subject to execution of a Training  Agreement upon successful completion of training and availability of the position.

General Terms

• PAL reserves the right to modify or terminate the Program at its discretion.
• Participation in the Program does not guarantee employment with PAL.
• Any disputes arising from the Program will be resolved at PAL’s sole discretion. 

If you or someone you know is interested in a career in aviation, follow Philippine Airlines on LinkedIn and Jobstreet and stay tuned for updates.