I wish to be a Pilot.

Wish granted with the help of Fliteline Aviation School, owned by Captain Jerry Perlada

He has always wanted to be a pilot, since he was in Grade 1. And he’s been very consistent whenever anyone asks what he wishes to be”, shares mommy Evelyn about her 11-year old son Vic. Just last year, Vic Velasco was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a disease in which malignant cells form in nerve tissue of the adrenal gland, neck, chest or spinal cord. In Vic’s case, the malignant cells have affected his right eye which will have to be surgically removed to stop the cancer and save his life. It is sad and ironic that Vic’s vision is one of the most important prerequisites for him to fulfil his wish of becoming a pilot in the future.

The predicament of Vic’s illness does not cloud his special day at the Plaridel Airport where he is brought by Make-A-Wish® Philippines to make the impossible happen and to let him live his dream. Friends at Fliteline Aviation School in Plaridel, Bulacan prepare a fun day of ground training, flight simulation and flight training where Vic gets to fly an actual plane! Together with co-pilot and flight instructor Capt. Marcus Francisco, Vic flies around and over the neighboring cities of Plaridel. His feat fulfillingly ends with his trainor, Capt. Rommel Flores, awarding him with a Certificate of Course Completion and officially welcoming him as an elite member of the aviation community with a Gold Wings pin. “Only pilots who have flown an airplane are given and have the right to wear ‘wings’,” Capt. Rommel says to a beaming and confident 11-year old boy. “And even without your right eye, you can still teach.” Rommel’s wish to be a pilot has been fulfilled and he can now look forward to becoming an aviation instructor someday.

Fliteline Aviation concentrates on full-time live-in Pilot training courses. Their training courses comply with all requirements laid down by the Air Transportation Office of the Philippines, Federal Aviation Authority and International Civil Aviation Organization. Our wish-granter Captain Jerry Perlada, one of the founders of Fliteline Aviation, is a captain of an Airbus for Philippine Airlines and previously flew in general aviation as charter pilot.