Air Philippines pilot an expert flier

Amid speculations that pilot error caused the Boeing 737-200 to crash in a mountainous area in Samal Island, people close to Capt. Estraton Viluzmino Catipay said he knew his aircraft like he knew his home.

Catipay spent more than 30 years bringing countless passengers safely to their destinations.

His daughter, Nona, told the Freeman that her father was regarded by peers as an ace pilot.

Catipay was the youngest pilot to have served the Philippine Airlines (PAL) in the 1960s.

He finished engineering at Feati University in Manila and earned his wings in PAL as a scholar.

He was afforded scholarships to aviation schools in the United States where he flew domestic commercial runs for known airlines as Pan American, Delta, Trans World and Eastern Airlines.

Catipay also worked with Malaysian Air and other major carriers in Asia and London.

An additional merit to his flying career was his inclusion in the US Federal Aviation Administration list of "Gold Wingers."

"How could my father, a veteran pilot, commit errors on a plane he knows so well for so long?" Nona asked.

At Air Philippines, Catipay was a check pilot which is a rank higher than the commercial pilots in command of each flight.

"Check pilots take routine rides on aircraft to monitor flight performance and safety," Nona said.

Airline sources said the ill-fated aircraft was delivered to its first owners in 1978 and was acquired by Air Philippines in 1996.

The Boeing 737-200s were initially manufactured in 1968.

But US aviation consultant Moten Beyer said this type of aircraft has a very good safety record.

His daughter doubts reports that his father was in command of the ill-fated aircraft when it crashed.

"The check pilot is the fourth man inside the cockpit. He is seated behind the co-pilot although he is qualified to take command of passenger flights," Nona said.

The last radio message from Flight 541 identified her father as the pilot in command of the aircraft.

Catipay's son, Alfonso, also a pilot of Air Philippines, is in Davao to get a first-hand view of the crash site.

Catipay's brothers Romeo and Pio are also pilots.

The Catipays hail from the towns of Dumanjug and Samboan in southern Cebu.

Relatives remember Catipay as a very quiet, confident and sure person.

"My father told them it's not just about flying, it's about bringing all your passengers to their destinations safely," Nona added.