At the peak of the hot summer days, it was a rare gloomy overcast Saturday in Metro Manila. In contrast, maybe by Divine intervention, the training hub at San Fernando Airport, La Union was as usual, pristine crystal clear blue skies, a very safe condition for flight training. Thus, this morning 2 young and daring flightless eaglets of Leading Edge took advantage of this good flying weather by achieving the highlight of their early flying careers, the unforgettable 1st Solo Flight. First to make it was the last soloist among the 8 female members along with the 24 strong Batch “A” 2018. Better late than never was the case of a UST, HRM graduate, 26 year old, charming Air Asia Flight Attendant on-leave, delayed in reporting, Student Pilot Mary Angelie Guinto Mendoza, who at long last soloed on or about 0925H, May 5, 2018 flying RP-C7293 courtesy of Senior FI, Capt Philmer Powao. Two (2) hours later, on or about 1120H, a 28 year old product of Asia Pacific College, BS Com Sci-IT graduate and the 4th member of Batch “B” 2018 to solo, SP Rocky Andaya Dionela made it flying RP-C8249 courtesy of Senior FI Capt Vladimir Evangelista in just 9.6 flying hours, a sterling feat in flying skills. Apparently, flying runs in the blood as the latter is by the way, the son of a true blue blooded Cuyonon Palaweno, retired Col Val Dionela PAF and the younger brother of Capt Ryan, a long time flight instructor of LEIAAI, now flying with Subic Air Corp. based in Rio Tuba, Palawan.
Once again, congratulations to the 2 brand new 1st Soloists for today and making it in the elite list of future commercial airline pilots in the making. Happy flying & have a Safe flight always!Good luck & God bless! Cheers!
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