2020 Vision: Oh! What a chance to visit every island and every place in this archipelagic magical place called the Philippines.

It’s been 12 years since I first discussed the idea of putting up our own Air Force Association to our Commanding General then, Lt Gen William Hotchkiss. I was Defense Attaché at Washington DC and was accompanying him to the 50th Anniversary of the US Air Force in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the Chiefs of Air Forces around the world converged. After my stint in Washington DC, I became Wing Commander of the 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing and the 15th Strike Wing and then retired in 2002.

Finally, last July 1 at the PAF Aerospace Museum, the Aviation Society of the Philippines was born. It no longer is about the air force or even the whole of military aviation, but about uniting and putting back Philippine Aviation to where it was when we were number one in Southeast Asia. And to know where to start, we held the first Aviation Summit on that same day.

Leaders of the different sectors of aviation discussed their situation and gave us ideas on how to reach our goal. Secretary of National Defense Gilbert C. Teodoro, himself an accomplished aviator, was Keynote Speaker.

He said, “There should be quality and excellence in our industry. We should build a brand of quality Filipino aviator, aviation specialist, aviation technician. And we should not settle for second rate standards. Here in the Aviation Society you have a perfect vehicle, you have friends in media, in the business sector who can advocate the need for resource allocation to aviation. Just as we are trying to build a quality - brand name of quality Filipino seafarer, quality Filipino shipping industry, so it can be in the aviation industry. If we want to continue in this game, we have to innovate, we have to think, we have to lead.”

The first speaker was Lt. General Oscar H. Rabena, the present Commanding General of the PAF. He was so gracious to allow us the use of the PAF Aerospace Museum, and hold the launching of the Aviation Society, as well as the Aviation Summit during the 62nd Air Force Day.

Gen. Rabena emphasized, “As we look forward to the challenges ahead, the Philippine Air Force will be more than ready and responsive to meet the demands of the times. The PAF will be capable, better equipped and rationalized across a broad spectrum of missions, both traditional and non traditional.”

Director General Ruben F. Ciron explained that the CAAP is today undergoing an important process in its important role in Civil Aviation. “Steadily and surely we are moving towards completing the transition: among others, we have implemented corrective measures by completing the staffing patterns, using the right standards, for the inspectorate, the air traffic, air navigation, and the aerodrome development and management departments. We really can say that the challenge of CAAP for this year is to recover to Category 1 status from the Category 2 as a consequence of the FAA audit in 2007.”

Attorney Carmelo Arcilla, Executive Director of the Civil Aeronautics Board discussed the issues on the existing move towards the ASEAN One Sky Policy. “The debate over open skies has been raging across the years and suffice it to say that most countries liberalize at varying phases suitable to their needs on the basis of a reciprocal exchange of rights within the bilateral and multilateral framework. And this is exactly what we are doing. It is my wish that we must all join hands and work towards bringing Philippine aviation to greater heights.”

Philippine Air Lines SVP for Operations Beda B. Badiola talked much about PAL’s contribution to our aviation history. “PAL’s many firsts in local commercial aviation will be among the historical treasures that can be safeguarded, showcased and appreciated by the members of this Society. Its almost seven decades of experience in air transport has no equal in the Philippines. We would be more than glad to share that experience with members of this Society in order to raise the Filipino’s awareness on the direct link between our country’s progress and the development of local aviation.”

General Aviation has the most number and variety of aircraft types and models. Its contribution to aviation has been so much taken for granted. Former Secretary DOTC Vicente Rivera talked about how much we have accomplished in our past.

“It is about time we organize such a society that can support further the industry. We are an archipelago with 7,000 islands, we should further develop this country in the fastest means possible with highest standards of safety implemented.”

Finally, Felissa S. Valdez, President of PATTS, emphasized the role of the Aviation Colleges and Flight Schools in developing skills needed to be very competitive in the world of aviation. “PATTS, or for that matter, all aviation schools, cannot exist by itself. PATTS needs the aviation industry to tell us what kind of graduate the industry needs; what skill set will be most useful. Eventually important, PATTS needs to be assured that the industry finds its graduates relevant. PATTS would like to sit down with the industry and discuss how best to prepare the future leaders in aviation.”

Looking back on that fateful day, we had everyone in Military Aviation, Commercial Aviation (All 5 Airlines were represented by their CEOs and A-Team), General Aviation, Sports Aviation and Hobbyists and the Academe.

The vision of the Aviation Society of the Philippines is “To be the foremost proponent for the advancement of aviation in the Philippines by 2020.” We will have events and programs laid out towards the celebration of the centennial of the first fixed wing flight in the Philippines in April 2011.

It’s been 12 years and now it has come. Our dream is to fly higher than we have ever flown, to aim as far as the horizon can bring us, farther than we could ever see. And to do this all together as one team and one family!