August 30, 2023
by Jon Lorence Panelo
AISAT’s pioneering batch of Aviation Management students welcomes the academic year 2023-2024 with their OJT in various aviation sectors. The Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management curriculum is designed to have classes during the first to third-year levels and the OJT during the fourth year. Seven of the ten pioneer students are having their OJT at the prestigious Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA). Meanwhile, two students are having their OJT at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in Davao, and one at Adventure Flight Education and Sports (AFES) in Davao. Since August 1, 2023, the 4th year Aviation Management students have been interns at various divisions at MCIAA to complete their 600-OJT hours during the semester.
Among the numerous divisions of the MCIAA, the Airport Operations Division is where all seven AvM students are assigned. Under this division are various other units, namely: the International Terminal Operations Division (ITOD), Domestic Terminal Operations Division (DTOD), Airport Grounds Operations Division (AGOD), and General Aviation and Industrial Division (GAID). Specifically, four of the AvM students are assigned to AGOD. During their OJT, they are rotated at the various office assignments under AGOD. One is at the AGOD office in the corporate building, where the OJTs assist their immediate supervisors with various administrative tasks. Another assignment is located at the One Stop Shop (OSS), where the AvM pioneers assist their immediate supervisors in processing Authority to Drive Airside (ADA) and Authority for Use Airside (AUA).
Moreover, the Area Operations Control Center (AOCC) located at Terminal 2 is another office assignment where the interns assist their immediate supervisors in filling in the aircraft flight monitoring details alongside the AOCC staff of various airlines. Further, the ITOD and DTOD, located at the corporate building, are additional assignments where the 4th year AvM students assist their immediate supervisors in conducting daily inspections at Terminals 1 and 2, and their respective Departures and Arrivals lounges. Lastly, the GAID, located in a separate area at the General Aviation Road, is where the remaining three pioneers are assigned. Although the pioneers are assigned to specific offices, they are allowed to experience even more at MCIAA by being rotated in various offices, exchanging to experience various divisions, and even extending their duties beyond 600 hours to try different work schedules, divisions, and even night shifts. MCIAA has a very welcoming environment for interns, as various students from different schools across the country also have their OJT in different divisions.
As one of the students currently assigned to the General Aviation and Industrial Division, every day is like living the dream of working at an airport full of life. Having my OJT at GAID exposed me to actual airport operations, where I perform administrative work and fieldwork. At GAID, the corporate building offices and terminals, namely the AGOD office, ID Pass Division, and AOCC, are merged into one at the General Aviation Control Center. The Gen Av control center is where GAID OJTs report five days a week with the option to extend their duty up to a maximum of 4 hours per day only, and overtime on days off (weekends) is only eight hours with prior notice to the office. Interns at GAID are also given a chance to experience and select the best OJT schedule that suits their needs, may it be 5 AM to 1 PM, 6 AM to 2 PM, 8 AM to 5 PM, or 10 AM to 6 PM.
With this, the AvM pioneers would like to thank various stakeholders for allowing them to have their OJT at MCIAA, their first airport of choice. To the Asian International School of Aeronautics and Technology (AISAT), most especially to our School President, Atty. Myra Ann Wee-Toe Hio, for pursuing our request that seven of us will be having our OJT outside Davao City. To AFES Cebu, especially CEO Tita R. Cerna, for forwarding our applications and accompanying us throughout our OJT journey. To MCIAA, for warmly welcoming us to have our OJT at your Public-Private Partnership project.
For part two of this special, the pioneers will share their testimonies on their day-to-day accomplishments at their diverse office assignments.
Always let your dreams take flight!