On 2007-03-16 07:56:10 -0700, "Jon" said:

I'm still working on my private but if my company sends me overseas
can I keep flying with my license? Real good chance I might be in the
Phillipines for a while.
Jon

Magandang hapon.

I did not fly while in the Philippines but you can be sure that I
checked it out. :-) The main problem was that up in Laoag City where I
was there were no rental planes available.

There are rental planes available in Manila and at the old Clark AB in
Angeles. I don't know about Cebu or Davao, but they would be good bets,
too. The rental fleet is old, mostly 172L and M models. Cost is about
the same as in the US. I do know that my old 206 is in Davao, being
flown by an agricultural firm, and that some airplane owners in the
Philippines will rent to individuals.

Where there are rental airplanes there are instructors and flight
schools. The Air Transportation Office in Manila will issue you a
Philippine license on the basis of your American one with the same
restrictions and privileges. Satellite offices will not do; you have to
go to the one in Manila, in person, by appointment. They are unlikely
to ask for a bribe, but they might ask for 'handling fees' so that it
doesn't take six months to a year to process the paperwork.

The outfit at Clark has the best reputation for safety and that is
where the Philippines is planning to center its efforts for training
new airline and military pilots. There is a critical shortage there and
new pilots are strongly discouraged from leaving the country. Of
course, they might not have that critical shortage if they were willing
to pay more, but who am I to tell someone how to run his business?

The Philippines is mountainous, hot and humid, very rugged with large
areas of jungle. Storms are frequent; the Philippines gets more than a
dozen typhoons a year, with three or four of them being category 3
(Katrina) or higher. However, weather reporting systems are good except
in remote areas. Airfields marked on the map might not actually be in
use and could be completely overgrown or occupied by squatters, so it
is best to check things out first.

The country is about the size of Arizona, but broken up into many
islands, so being able to fly could be a real asset to your company.
Almost all the major islands have airfields.
--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor