PhilSCA Conquers Aeronautical Engineering Board Exam

22 Nov 2009

Manila, Philippines - Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) has once again performed outstandingly in the recently concluded Aeronautical Engineering Board Examination, conducted by the Philippine Regulation Commission, held on Nov 17, 18, and 19, 2009.

Lemuel F. Banal, a graduate of PhilSCA-Villamor Air Base, topped the exams, getting an average score of 88.90 percent.

The said school also conquered the 9^th and 10^th spot. With 9 passers over 17, PhilSCA got a 53 percent passing rate.

The national passing rate is 27 percent with 26 over 95 examinees.

PhilSCA is once again the Best Performing School in Aeronautical Engineering for 2009.

The Philippine State College of Aeronautics is the lone Aviation State College of the Philippines.

Presently, it has regional campuses in Batangas, Pampanga, and Cebu, with its main campus at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

The Successful examinees who garnered the 10 highest top places are the following:

1. Lemuel Fronton Banal, Philippine State College of Aeronautics, 88.90

2. Gerico Angelo Magpantay Velasco, PATTS College of Aeronautics, 87.25

3. Gay Mabelle Junio Cabrera, PATTS College of Aeronautics, 87.00

4. Jaime Maximo Olaes Baldoz, PATTS College of Aeronautics, 84.80

5. Mariel Mayamaya Ola, PATTS College of Aeronautics, 83.70

6. Kester Ruiz de Guzman, PATTS College of Aeronautics, 83.55

7. Ronnie Marcos Talan, PATTS College of Aeronautics, 83.50

8. Aivon Jhon Alfonzo Gonzales, MATS College of Technology, 82.20

9. Albert Loyd Belarde Barnes, Philippine State College of Aeronautics, 81.80

10. Ma. Angelica Barreto Timtiman, Philippine State College of Aeronautics, 81.60

The complete list of successful examinees are as follows:

1 AGUILAR, EDGAR II BADURIA
2 ALMODAL, KENNETH MEJARITO
3 ATIENZA, CAMILLE KARA CARGANILLA
4 BABAC, EDUARD EDRALIN LEAÑO
5 BALDOZ, JAIME MAXIMO OLAES
6 BANAL, LEMUEL FRONTON
7 BARNES, ALBERT LOYD BELARDE
8 CABRERA, GAY MABELLE JUNIO
9 CARANDANG, RUMER TANAJI
10 DE GUZMAN, KESTER RUIZ
11 EUSEBIO, SHERYL DIANE DIOLA
12 GALANG, JIM EDWARD MESINA
13 GARCIA, ERICK TUAZON
14 GONZALES, AIVON JHON ALFONSO
15 MORALES, MARK ARMIN BUSTRIA
16 OLA, MARIEL MAYAMAYA
17 OLLER, LEE JONES BAUTISTA
18 PADILLA, VON ALBERTSON AMONARES
19 REYES, CIELO MARIE QUEZADA
20 SABAN, JOHN EMMANUEL FRANCIS BAYSA
21 SORIANO, J WILFRED CAPAYAS
22 TALAN, RONNIE MARCOS
23 TIMTIMAN, MA ANGELICA BARRETO
24 VELASCO, GERICO ANGELO MAGPANTAY
25 VIERNES, EUGIN BRYAN MEJIA
26 VIRAY, RYAN TRAPAL

My OJT Experience

Island Transvoyager Inc. (ITI), A. Soriano Hangar, General Aviation Area, Pasay City.

The company is an air taxi charter airline with daily flights to El Nido, Palawan, operating with two Dornier 228-200 Turbo-prop, 19-seater Aircraft.

Aircrafts. Helicopters. Line Maintenance. Test Flights. Island Getaway.

Yup, it all sounds exciting for my 420-hour on-the-job experience.

But not everyday was like that..

Me and fellow co-ojts have to spend time basking in the sun refueling the aircraft, sweating profusely while vacuuming the hot cabin floor, or braving the heavy rains to put in the tire chocks. At the end of the day, we were so exhausted we can die in bed. It’s even hard for us to fill up our monthly time cards, its full of spaces like a crossword puzzle waiting to be answered.

But an OJT gotta do what he’s gotta do. It’s the life of an aspiring Airline Mechanic.

All of them had their own stories on how they got their regular position. Usually, hoping from one company to another, spending years as an Ojt without pay or allowance, and eventually earning their Airframe & Powerplant Licenses.

And its the one thing i salute and respect them for: their firm perseverance and their vital experience. They might not be as intelligent as an engineer, but those two are what they are paid for, which an engineer sometimes lack. (which explains that most hangars don’t have an engineer just highly experienced mechanics,only big airline

companies hire engineers)

My 5 years of classroom training in engineering was rendered useless. I was dumb-stricken when i saw a real turbo-jet engine. It was very different form the full-colored, animated PowerPoint presentations. The engine parts are unidentifiable looking all metal gray. I wished that the blue, red, green colors of different parts would show up just like in the books.

But with experience, one can get familiar with it eyes closed. The Mechanics are actually trained in Germany on a timely basis, it is where the Dornier Aircraft originated. It also means extending their working contract for a number of years.

But for the ojts like us, we are contented handing out tools, cleaning aircraft parts and the sorts, We learn by observation. We also rely to the mechanics or to the more experienced Ojt on what they teach us.

But what we, the Ojts, are all too familiar with is during the landing and take-off turn-a-rounds, assisting the aircraft before and after take-offs and landings. It includes: cleaning the airframe from mud, shampooing it, hand-rotating the propellers to cool off the engine, connecting the ground power unit, refueling the tanks, vacuuming the cabin floor, laying out the red carpet, and saying “Watch your head!” to unsuspecting passengers before they bump their heads on the door ceiling. The company should give us our share of the Passengers Assistance Fee they give to employees. (Haha! I wish!)

I have a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, and one could end up having an office job. I was just lucky to be a nephew of the company’s Maintenance manager, so i easily got in. Most of my mates, have also contacts inside. If you don’t have one, chances are nil that you’ll get in. That’s the way of the Aviation industry, or any other industry per se.

Working as OJT on this company is good. Since it’s a relatively small airline (compare to Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Zest Air, Lufthansa and the likes), one is not attached to one office or department only, one can try out different job routines hands-on: Airframe, Powerplant, Avionics, Line Maintenance etc. Because in big airlines, one is usually attached to a department only, say the pneumatics dept. or the brake shop, or worse, an office job photocopying flight manuals.

I had a chance to ride during the test flights, after say we installed a new engine. I experienced the roller coaster rides and when the pilot intentionally flies the plane to turbulent air. What I cannot forget, is my when I went to El Nido Palawan Airport, when one lone passenger paid the whole expense of chartering the aircraft just to get him to the island. The pilot asks who wants to come because they won’t be having passengers on the return flight, so I immediately signed the waiver and off i fly the 2-hour round trip!

And oh, i got a chance to photographed with a sleek-looking aircraft: the Piaggio Avanti P.180 when it briefly visited the CAAP hangar just on the other side of the taxi way.

Before all those, i was on the verge on quitting my OJT, and just get my certificate of whatever hours i did. It was like, just 250 hours or so. (Most of my college classmates, did that anyway). That was when i was feeling tired and fed up already that I'm not learning something new and all is just routine with nothing significant happening,

With encouragement from my dad and friends, i persevered and didn’t quit. Glad i did!

The On-the-Job training is a very important part of our career, as it gives us a glimpse of what a real life situation after graduation is. Choosing where and what we do while in there is a vital part of our profession, especially if it is field we are passionate about.

Employees of ITI and I at the company outing at Laguna. (May 2009)

More Photos: http://egz386.multiply.com

My 1st job.

One of the dilemmas of a fresh graduate is getting a job.

Right after my OJT, I worked as a Researcher in my school. Me and my college buddy,
Lemuel Banal, were recruited by our professor being the Director in Research and Development.

Since I still need to pass my board exam for Aero Engineering, my dad forbid me to work in Airline companies so as to focus on my review. So, being a researcher is a good sideline. Work on weekdays, review class on weekends.

Getting the job.

Lem and I were active in student organizations during our college days/ Him being the Editor-in-Chief of the AERONAUTICA Student publication, and the President of the student chapter of our professional organization, SAEP. I, on the other hand is the Associate Editor, and the President of the Aero Department for 2 years.

Lem, after getting bored with his OJT at A+ (maintenance company of Cebu Pacific) stationed at NAIA Terminal 3 working night shifts while maintaining A320’s, he applied as an Instructor. During his demo, he was questioned by one of the deans regarding his eligibility since he still doesn’t have a professional engineering license.

But it seems our professor, Dr Jay Jack Manzano, an Aero Engineer himself, needs more help from competent staff. He, not only the R&D Director but also the Director for Institutional Development & Planning, Extension Services, and Alumni Affairs. Its four positions in one person, talk about multi-tasking!

And so he called his best students (ehem) to work for him.

The job.

Our boss, tasked us to lead two major projects. I am to plan the Alumni Grand Alumni Homecoming, while Lem is to lead the Rocket Research project.

We started the rocket design during our 5th year in college on our Rocket Propulsion subject, which we weren’t able to finish because of the busyness in Aircraft Design, our major subject which caused us sleepless nights and days of no eating and bathing. It was carried on to the present 5th year students but are also having the same difficulties we had.

The rocket project entitled, “Propellant and Projectiles Development Program,” is being detailed and document on a blog site: www.philscarocketry.blogspot.com

Being also a part of the Alumni Office, I am able to address the problems of the graduating class (Yearbook and Pictures), as the secretary of the graduating class.

Advantage.

As a minimum-wager (with an monthly allowance greater than my pay), this job is not bad at all.
If one takes the researcher job seriously, one can grow intellectually in the different fields of engineering science and mathematics. One can also learn the methods in public administration.

Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) is a young school that is still developing and needs much improvement. Taking this job is one of the many ways one can give something back to the college. Noble and humble.

About the Author

Edgar Aguilar II (“egz”), 22, is an aspiring young individual who has great passion in the world of aviation.

Since childhood, he dreams of becoming a pilot someday. Now, he just earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

During college, he was an editor, writing in his column Full Throttle, for the school publication.

Now, join him as he continues to write his experiences and discovers the real life of a graduate.

Follow him, as he shares what he learns in the exciting field of Aviation.

While fulfilling his role in the aviation industry, and living life to the fullest, he still dreams of conquering the skies.

>View Profile

14th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

February 12-15 2009

Air Force City, Clark, Pampanga

It was my fifth time I went on this annual event ever since the 9^th when I was in 1^st year college back then. Notice that there was no 13^th, most probably because the organizers believe it was bad luck. However the second day landed on Friday the 13^th. Nothing bad really happened except from the lone sky-diver who crash landed because of strong winds.

This time we got Media ID's, representing our school's publication, AERONAUTICA. But we stayed there for four days as exhibitors of the Society of Aerospace Engineers (SAEP) booth.

We went to Clark Wednesday evening and then stayed at the Marquis Hotel. Our room, 109, is reserved weeks earlier since the hotels are always fully-booked during the days of the event, adding up to the fact that it is also falls during the Valentines celebration.

To start the day, a flag jump with the singing of the National Anthem is performed by the Philippine Airforce.

And early in the morning, when winds are most calm, the Hot Air Balloons inflates.

New notable ones are the Elephant Balloon, the Nescafe balloon, the Smiley Balloon, the Coca-Cola Balloon,

and the all-time crowd favourite, the Kellogg's Tony the Tiger Balloon!

Oh yeah, we got the chance to ride up the hot air balloon at least 50 feet up while being tethered to the ground by ropes. Thanks to Air Ads/UPS who offered free short rides!

Hot Air Balloons rise up in the air, as the Malaysian and Filipino Paragliders zoom in and out the sky.

Other Aero sports activities are sky-diving,

radio-controlled aircraft,

Kite-flying Exhibition,

Ultralight Flour-Bombing,

Aerobatic Exhibition (Meynard and Bill Show)

and Balloon Bursting Competition.

We even volunteered to be the ones to release the yellow toy balloons from the ground under the searing hot sun! So we got our free "Pop-Gun" Shirts!

We also went into restricted areas to get a shot with the parked airplanes.

We actually do some paparazzi work, getting stolen shots from pretty ladies all around (tally-ho six o'clock!!)

And most especially our school, Philippine State College of Aeronautics, participated in the Rocketry Demonstration. That, along with the Ateneo Boys.

To cap off the night, a night glow by the hot air balloons,

A fireworks display,

And A Rivermaya Concert!!

We were all sunburnt capturing 10 gigabytes worth of photos!

Tired and all, but we really enjoyed it and had the best time of the year!

Credits: Lemuel Banal, EIC; Edgar Aguilar II, Assoc. Editor; Gerard Joseph Honasan, Managing Staff; Janus Mesina, Photojournalist; Jay-Ar Sayson, Cartoonist; Gino Bacalla, Cartoonist.

More Photos:

http://egz386.multiply.com

http://skygod14.multiply.com

Most Valued

(as published in AERONAUTICA, official student publication of Philippine State College of Aeronautics, Dec '07)

What do I value most? It’s probably cliché, but as a student, it’s obviously education. And I get my inspiration others that I value next: family, friends, and of course, the Almighty God.

My father, constantly remind his four children not to waste all the perseverance he had done for us. He says, that the only inheritance he could give us is good education, and that we should not do things to ruin it. Out of respect, I obey fervently.

I admire my father. He is a leader, been a President of Rotary Club and several times in Parent-Teachers Association. Being a single parent, he works hard for his four high maintenance children, who would all be in college in a year. My mother passed away years ago when she was stricken by a fatal disease: cancer. She was a high-earning dentist and our world crushed when she left us. Almost all our assets were nearly drained trying to save her life. Dad paid expensive hospital bills by selling his old business, family car, and land titles, just to live a little longer with her.

It was a difficult time. My dad started from scratch after the tragedy. Getting capital from pawned jewelries that my mom left, he built a shoe-and-bag repair shop to make ends meet. He earned at least a thousand on good days but only a couple of hundred on poor times. That time, I started studying to another province as a scholar of Philippine Science. And so when I went home during the weekends, he does the laundry for me. Dad dual roles as a mother and father, he cooks good food for us, he buys groceries, and he tries to do things that a mother would normally do. But it is still different having a real one.

A blessing came, two years after, when my uncle had transferred to him the printing business which has been becoming difficult to handle. My uncle’s family then went abroad, and so their house became our new home. Dad lifted the business from more than a million unpaid taxes. Things started to normalize. But a disastrous event occurred again when Milenyo and Reming ravaged the Bicol Region. Legazpi was flooded. The printing machines, computers, and paper materials all floated in the water. Millions was lost.

But life goes on. And like my father, I work hard too, not in a job, but in school. Aside from never ending home works and exams, I am the president of my college department, secretary of an active organization, and an associate editor of the school’s publication. It is all part of my education, a training exercise for the more challenging days ahead. It’s really hard but it’s in preparation for the future.

To keep me sane enough and in track from the stressful times I endure. I try to maintain a healthy relationship with others. I believe in God, make new friends, make most of my vacation with family and high-school batch mates, and always share a laugh with college classmates. And I thank them all for always being there.

So, my advice for everyone, whatever situation in life we are in, whatever failure we had, whatever challenges we face, we must all learn to prioritize, and must do good in keeping the things we value most.

4 Aerodynamic Forces of Life

(as published in AERONAUTICA, official student publication of Philippine State College of Aeronautics, May '07)

Call me an enthusiast, admirer, die-hard, obsessed or slave for aviation. Whatever it is, its just how passionate I am to anything that flies. My elementary and high school yearbook says it so on its prophecy pages, envisioning me to be successful in the field of aeronautics. I dream big.

We are the pilot of our lives. Our body is our own aircraft and that we are in command in where to go, what to do, and how to deal with our precarious lives. But we should always be guided with principles to lead us to the right direction. If Buddhists got the Four Noble Truths, Shinto for Japanese, and Feng Shui for Chinese, Aviators got 4 Aerodynamic Forces. Governing an aircraft during flight: Thrust, Lift, Drag and Weight are also applicable to life.

Thrust, powered by a propeller or jet engine,is the forward aerodynamic force. It is our drive to step away from bad old habits and change for the better. The urge to improve our current condition and to propel our way by endlessly rediscovering the meaning of our lives. The engine is our talents, skills, ideals and aspirations that powers us to move forward.

As we advance and speed up, we normally encounter Drag, the backward or retarding force. True success is always accompanied with discontinuities, scratches, obstacles and challenges. It slows us down but should be faced with hopefulness and bravery. Still it reminds us not to go extra fast by exceeding the red line or else damages are inevitable. Over speeding is really damaging, so taking it a bit and savoring the ride is always advisable.

And yes of course, Lift, the upward force enabling us to reach higher altitudes. Cars go forward, but airplanes go up! Going up is attaining a higher ground status, a more prosperous one. But increasing further the angle of attack (or angle of climb) leads to a stall, the point where lift is lost, and the plane suddenly plummets down to the earth. So keep that bent-up neck in check. The sky is the limit but it should be well planned. Targeted goals must be dealt with action, only wishing and wanting to much leads to nothing.

A flight is never really complete without a smooth and safe landing. TheWeight, the downward push of gravity assists on this. We perceived weight as a negative force, but it is not always so. The weight of our lives gives way to humility by eliminating too much pride. Our burdens and failures are blessings in disguise. Do not be afraid of failure, though we never know, it is something that could lead us to our success.

I might had failed the eye examination required to get a pilot's license plus several financial constraints, yet all hopes are not lost for i know it can still all be corrected. Maybe it's not the time, right now, I'm so into my Aeronautical engineering subjects so as to top the board exams. All the while, honing my organizational and leadership skills, becoming the president of my organization (The Aeronautical Engineering – Air Transportation Organization). But only after failing my bid as an SSC president. With that i realize that i should concentrate serving my passion for aviation. All these are for the preparation for the future. Aside from being a pilot, owning an Aviation corporation: an airline, flying school and maintenance hub rolled into one, are among of my big dreams. See, my eyesight might be blurry but my vision for the future is not.