This review looks inside the First Aviation Academy flight school in the Philippines, so you can decide whether this is the right flight school for you.
When you have the dream to fly, choosing the right flying school that matches you and your needs is an important part of the process. It could be a good chance to develop your problem-solving and decision-making skills as you navigate through the options.
This article reviews First Aviation Academy in Subic, Philippines. As you read this review, you will see that there is surface information, but it is recommended to go the old-fashioned way and talk to the flying school, find previous students, and see how their experience was.
If you are thinking about learning to fly in the Philippines, then First Aviation Academy is worth researching.
The Good
- Less busy airport
- New state-of-the-art aircraft
- Modern facilities
- Experienced instructors
- Cost of living in the Philippines
- Flexible programs and scheduling
- Good safety record
The Bad
- Relocation away from home
- The Philippines is a third world country so do not expect the comforts of Western locations
- The need to convert the Philippine license to your local country
- The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP formerly Air Transport Office) licensing regulations in some cases are more restrictive than ICAO and FAA. You will need to do homework
- Loss of available flight days due to monsoon rain and typhoons
Verdict: There are many factors for aspiring pilots to consider before making a choice on the flying school that best suits your needs. The Philippines is a cost-effective option however we need to remember it is a lifestyle that may be different to other western countries.
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What is the FAA (First Aviation Academy)?
The First Aviation Academy is a flying school based in the northwestern part of the Philippines and is also known as the FAA flight school being an acronym of the name not to be mistaken for the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) in the US!
It is a one-stop shop for flying training providing instruction from Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) right through to being airline ready with Commercial Pilots licence (CPL) multi-engine instrument rating.
First Aviation Academy offers a targeted Airline Transport Pilot Training (ATPT) Program which is a cadetship program for people seeking a career in airlines that focuses on preparing candidates for multi-crew operations right from ab initio level.
Where are they based?
FAA Flight School is situated in Subic, Philippines, and is approximately seventy miles west of the capital Manila. The flying school facilities sit on Subic Bay International Airport which also serves the Subic Bay Freeport zone.
The airport was a former US military base known as the Naval Air Station Cubi Point. Interestingly, the airport took 5 years to build and is famous for moving a mountain to create enough flat space for the 2-mile-long sealed runway.
How long has FAA been around?
First Aviation Academy has been around since 2018 in its current form however there have been ownership changes and subsequent management changes.

What happened with PAL Flight School and FAA?
PAL being a Philippine Airlines aviation flight school division had been around since the1960’s and was a feeder for Philippine Airlines. When PAL aviation flight school division closed, its operation and assets were sold to FAA Flight School.
FAA flight school is jointly owned by MacroAsia and Philippine Transmarine Carriers (PTC) with PTC running day to day operations and MacroAsia a silent investor.
What courses does FAA Flight School offer?
The FAA Flight School’s core offering is the Airline Transport Pilot Training (ATPT) Program readying candidates for airline selection which includes all necessary licencing and has Jet Orientation Training. However, there is also flexibility for modular flight training which means a pilot trainee can join at any point in their training. The modular training option is the ATPT program pulled apart as below.
If a pilot’s goal is airlines, it is recommended to do the entire ATPT program.
- (PPL), Commercial Pilot License
- (CPL), Instrument Rating (IR)
- Multi-Engine Rating (MER)
- Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)
- Ground Theory
- Jet Orientation Training (JOT)
“The academy boasts of state-of-the-art facilities, including modern G1000-equipped aircraft and flight simulators that provide pilot trainees with realistic and immersive training experience.”
FAA
How much does the FAA Flight school cost?
To learn to fly in the Philippines is likely to be slightly cheaper than the US however cost of living and convenience needs to be considered. The cost for airline ready training is estimated to be between 3-5M Philippine Pesos which is approximately USD$55K-90K.

How long do the courses take to complete?
The length of the course depends on if you are choosing the full Airline Transport Pilot Training (ATPT) Program or cherry picking the parts you need. For reference and the most likely option being the ATPT course, it is expected to take around 18 -20 months.
Variance in the timeframe will occur based on weather, performance, and discipline.
Advantages of the FAA Flight School
- Less busy airport
- New state-of-the-art aircraft
- Modern facilities
- Experienced instructors
- Cost of living in the Philippines
- Flexible programs and scheduling
- Good safety record*
*First Aviation Academy has had one training accident in 2021 with a student on a solo flight however it appears this is an isolated incident. The inquiry found possible disorientation leading to loss of control.
Aviation has risk and training is where risk is higher. Overall, First Aviation Academy is within the industry average.

Disadvantages of the FAA Flight School
- Relocation away from home
- The Philippines is a third world country so do not expect the comforts of Western locations
- The need to convert the Philippine license to your local country
- The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP formerly Air Transport Office) licensing regulations in some cases are more restrictive than ICAO and FAA. You will need to do homework
- Loss of available flight days due to monsoon rain and typhoons
FAQs about the FAA Flight School:
Does FAA Flight School offer any scholarships?
At the time of writing, FAA flight school regretfully does not offer scholarships.
Is there an eligibility criteria for enrolment?
Yes, there are eligibility criteria to enroll in the ATPT course. It is a good idea to meet the criteria for both the student and the FAA flight school.
As a full-time program takes time and commitment, it would be unfortunate to get started and find an item of eligibility that was not met. Not included in the list from FAA flight school is one additional step which is to ensure you can afford to complete the course. It is designed to go all the way and interruptions due to financial reasons could make it difficult to complete later.
- At least 18 years old (16 years old is allowed provided their parents will sign a Student Pilot Authorization Form, and they must be 17 years old at the PPL check-ride)
- PSA Birth Certificate
- Hold a valid Class 2 Medical Certificate (FAA will assist in acquiring students medical cert.)
- NBI Clearance
- Special Study Permit (SSP) – For Foreign Students
What are the customer reviews of FAA Flight School like?
After a scan of the internet in particular looking for negative feedback, there was nothing found.
In First Academy Flight School’s social media, students are going solo with the customary water initiation. It seems there is a community among students. It is always best to find out from the students directly and ask about their experience and progression.
Remember, however, no flying school is perfect, and trust your gut if it does not feel right.
How does the FAA Flight School compare to other flight schools in the Philippines?
When digging deeper into the best flight schools in the Philippines, First Aviation Academy does not have a big presence. This could mean that they are still establishing themselves or may not be achieving promised outcomes. Do more research!
Does FAA Flight school partner with particular airlines or aviation companies?
When Philippines Airline (PAL) aviation flight school division was still operating, there was a pathway into Philippine Airlines. Since FAA flight school purchased PAL aviation flight school assets the direct connection has been lost.
The FAA flight school website indicates some affiliations; however, I would ask more questions and get answers in writing on this. As of 2024, there is a pilot shortage globally, so this is not necessarily a problem. So please take note that there is no program or guarantee that if you do your flight training in FAA, you will be prioritized by Philippine Airlines in hiring you as a professional pilot.
First Aviation Academy is majority owned by MacroAsia and not a part of Philippine Airlines.
Conclusion
There are many factors for aspiring pilots to consider before making a choice on the flying school that best suits your needs. The Philippines is a cost-effective option however we need to remember it is a lifestyle that may be different to other western countries.
First Aviation Academy has a lot going for it including new aircraft, a regional airport base and a student community. We always suggest getting on the phone or video conference and speak to a flight instructor or any of the the team.
The best outcome is making sure you get along, then find some of the students to get firsthand their successes … or challenges, or any additional information. Happy flying!