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3rd FEATIrrific Aerofest: “Things go better with age”
Twenty high school students had their once-in-a-lifetime rollercoaster ride aboard fashionable and graceful ultra light aircraft at the "3rd FEATIrrific Aerofest," organized by FEATI University and held at the Woodland Airpark in Magalang, Pampanga on February 27, 2010.
Like a child ushered into a candy store or an adult getting the Lotto jackpot prize, the lucky twenty, all of them winners of the raffle draw, became giddy with excitement as the aircraft they rode went as high as 300 feet giving them a bird’s eye view of the rustic Arayat landscape.
Ultra light aircraft, or simply known as “ultralights”, are generally classified as recreation aircraft and their weight limits and speed may differ from country to country. The ultralights flown at the 3rd FEATIrrific Aerofest were the 'big toys' of some of the featured pilots who also happen to be members of the Angeles City Flying Club (ACFC). Woodland Air Park is the home base of ACFC.
Featured pilots were Christian Gehrig aboard his ultra-sleek "Fascination," Helmut Fink soaring off in his Quiksilver GT400 painted in German colors, Brant Sochely manning his Drifter, Chris Mason flying his Hanuman and Boy Guevarra and Ashley Heines piloting their own highly decorated Quiksilvers.
Equally garnering attention was FEATI University's very own CEO and Vice-Chairman of the Board, Francisco A. Segovia who piloted his helicopter, an Augusta Westland AW109 into the show. Just two weeks before Mr. Segovia had also flown his helicopter at the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival (PIHABF) in Clark, Pampanga.
The appearance of the ten-seater Islander 684 of the Aviation Group of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) elicited excitement from the crowd, urging them to pose for pictures with the flight crew in their orange overalls. Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG.) Reimond M. Santos manned the aircraft along with first pilot LTJG. Christine Pauline B. Diciano, the very first lady pilot of the PCG, co-pilot Ensign Jimuel Degala and crewman PO3 Ramil Tendenilla.
Holding their own, remote control (RC) enthusiasts and exhibitioners also took the stage. Erwin Dematera controlled the miniature version of the Extra 260 aerobatic plane; Toti Alberto manned the Russian-inspired Yak 54 aerobatic plane; while Raymond Felix put the cute and miniature powered paraglider through its paces. On the other hand, Masaya Nakanome rode his paramotor, a full scale true-to-life powered paraglider to the delight of the audience.
During the latter part of the program, Kite Association of the Philippines (KAP) President Orly Ongkingko shared with the audience the basics of kite making and kite flying. He gave away kite making materials and with other KAP officers facilitated the kite-making session. The finished kites were flown and three lucky flyers adjudged by Ongkingko were awarded colorful and gigantic kites. Eric Basit, member of the Philippine Kite Team, flew his dual-line kite “Stingray” to a medley of haunting love songs.
The men and women who all showed their zest for flying during the one-day air extravaganza shared the same sentiment as keynote speaker Capt. Joy Roa, Asian Air Safari Inc. Managing Director and founding organizer of the world-renowned annual PIHABF. In his inspirational speech Capt. Roa passionately talked about the beauty of flying and how he so loved flying that he would not trade it for anything else. He added that aviation is filled with people with the same passion for flying.
By the end of the day, students from the Hillcrest Baptist Academy Pampanga, Westminster School Tondo, Panipuan Integrated School San Fernando, Pampanga, Manila Science High School, San Rafael National High School Navotas, Starland International School Quezon City and St. Andrew's Archdiocesan School of Candaba, Pampanga had been enlightened about the rudiments and beauty of flying.
The 3rd FEATIrrific Aerofest was broadcast and promoted by the following media partners: Manila Bulletin, The Philippine Star, Malaya, The Daily Tribune, Action & Fitness Magazine, NU 107, Jam 88.3 and UR 105.9. Special thanks are extended to San Mig Coffee.
We eagerly await the 4th FEATIrrific Aerofest. With the Aerofest, “Things getter better with age.” For FEATI, “Things are indeed looking up!” (KAL)
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