The era of ultra lights now in Pampanga

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2017/11/13/era-ultra-lights-now-pampanga-574616
• Tuesday, November 14, 2017

By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Good things are happening in Pampanga tourism.

One such site of activity is the Pradera Verde complex in Barangay Prado Songco where the vast potential tourism site is situated, featuring, among others, a first class golf course, wakeboarding, (future flying site for ultralight and light sport aircraft), a clubhouse and soon, a motor racing oval where local and international racers will participate.

In a business meeting convened by Eric Tan of Codeeric IT Solution on November 8 at the Margot Activity Center (MAC) Barangay Margot, Angeles City, attended by Gen. Henry Sabarre, retired, and head of Matrix Corporate Security Services, Inc., Robert Aquilar and Benjie Pangan, a SunStar columnist, Eric discussed the vision and program of the entities he set up, namely: Philippine Experimental Light Sports Aircraft Training School, Inc., (PELSTATS) and Experimental Light Sport Aircraft and Pilots Association of the Philippines, Inc. (ELSAPAP).

Prior to the meeting, he and the group, together with Lubao Hot Air Balloon and Music Festival Chairman Noel Castro, made an ocular inspection of the site for the ultralight aircraft.

Tan and Sabarre have made preliminary talks with Governor Lilia Pineda regarding the project and the good governor was agreeable to the same, knowing it will boost tourism activities not only in Lubao but also in the entire province.

The team of Tan along with a British safety consultant carried out a preliminary validation as to the appropriateness of the site, the risks involved like the existing electric posts and the structures which could pose danger to aircraft operations (take-offs and touchdowns).

It was decided that the area was wide enough to accommodate the ultralight planes and their accompanying equipment. Consideration was also given as to where other future developments on the site were to be potentially located such as luxury golf homes. Both safety and noise issues were taken into account, modern ultralight aircraft use 4 stroke engines which are extremely reliable, safe, fuel efficient and very quiet.

If plans will push through, Tan and his team will construct a 1,500-foot runway, a hangar along with a pilot lounge/briefing room and training center. The filipino pilots, led by Capt. Richard Ricon and Mark Docomos are qualified and certified by relevant flying authorities and CAAP, with foreign counterpart Wolf Emonds, an FAA certified trainer and examiner.

Moreover, Tan’s team will participate as well on the coming Lubao Hot Air Balloon and Music Festival on March 2018 with two or three planes as a precursor for permanent flight operations on the site.