From possible poor air quality to the deafening sound of an airplane landing or taking off, living near an airport could be a nightmare. But for Carl Lemuel B. Granali, it is just the perfect place to be: It is where his dream was born.
Granali, 26, long dreamed of becoming an airline pilot. It was an aspiration heavily influenced by his father who would frequently take him to an airport near his home in Tacloban City, Leyte to observe planes up-close in his younger years.
“He would always take me to Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport every Sunday for plane spotting,” Granali said. “I was always fascinated by Airbus planes back then.”
But Granali had to hold off that dream. Coming from a family of modest background, he knew getting into a pilot school was going to be a long shot as it would require his family to shell out a huge sum of money, ranging between Php 3 million and Php 5 million, to pay for the training cost. Instead, he pursued a degree in education.
After graduating from university and passing the boards in 2018, Granali worked as a lecturer in a specialized review center, conducting review sessions in different sites across the country to help aspiring teachers pass their licensure exam. But his goal of becoming a pilot had never completely drifted out of the picture. “I became a teacher by profession, believing it would pave the way for me to achieve my ultimate dream of becoming an airline pilot,” he said.
Granali applied to countless scholarship programs and got rejected multiple times, until he discovered CADETPILOT.AERO, a European flight training organization, through a Filipino pilot vlogger in 2022.
After being shortlisted and passing two aptitude exams, Granali was selected and admitted to the cadet pilot program and began his 91-week sponsored training in Czech Republic. The organization shouldered every expense from start to finish, including training costs, housing, visas, insurance, and monthly stipend, allowing him to concentrate on learning. Reimbursement will occur after graduation once he is employed as an airline pilot.
“It was by far the most challenging application journey I have ever experienced,” he continued. “But I never doubted myself, not even once. In fact, I was more excited than ever. For the longest time, I had prepared for an opportunity like this.”
Patrik Dvorak, the training manager at e CADETPILOT.AERO, described Granali as a highly motivated candidate, a trait that eventually earned him a spot in the program despite not having any experience in the aviation industry at all.
“During the application process, we neither require our cadets to have any specialized knowledge nor prior flying experience. In Mr. Granali’s case, he certainly possessed the right set of skills and motivation,” Dvorak said.
Training to fly
Now a trainee pilot, Granali has comfortably settled in and is almost completing his 91-week training program in Prague.
On weekdays, Granali maintains a hectic schedule, shuttling between his accommodation and school, where he spends what has become his typical day doing several hours of ground sessions and flight training.
But in his free time, he does what tourists and expats and even locals would normally do: Roam around the quaint, medieval city center of Prague and feel its abounding soul. He also enjoys discovering the city’s well-preserved architectural landmarks that offer a glimpse of its rich history, identity, and creativity. “Prague is also known as the ‘City of Spires’. So, when we fly in the immediate vicinity of the city, we always get to see the beautiful castles around it,” he said.
Once Granali completes his pilot course—besides gettinga guaranteed job placement support—he will receive an EASA pilot license with a type rating that will allow him to secure a job in commercial aviation and fly airliners like Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.
“I highly recommend CADETPILOT.AERO to all aspiring pilots. Opportunity like this is rare, not to mention the chance to study in one of the safest and best cities for students in the world.” he said.
From keenly watching planes take off and land from afar in his hometown to manning the cockpit and flying planes of various types and sizes in Prague, Granali’s journey proved that holding on to your purpose, resolution to succeed, and a little bit of serendipity can make the dream work.
Someday, he hopes to combine his love of flying aircraft and love of teaching.
“My goal is to retire in the left seat as a captain and work as an instructor. As a teacher by profession before I pursue my dream of becoming a pilot, I also want to impart my years of knowledge and experience to the next generation of pilots,” he said.
CADETPILOT.AERO has recently opened its application in the Philippines. Interested applicants may apply on its website www.cadetpilot.aero until March 15.