Igorota pilot from Benguet is First Female Chief Pilot of Asia

Photo Courtesy || Nikko C. Mariano

Cordillera - Igorota pilot Capt. Amorelle Martinez is a proud Cordilleran who hails from Bokod, Benguet. She is the first female Chief Pilot in Asia. 

Capt. Martinez was a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Management and Military Officer Rank.

She also took formal pilot training at the Philippine Air Force Flying School, where she held key positions before retiring as the Director for Operations in 2008.  

She served the Armed Forces of the Philippines  (AFP) as military pilot before joining the PAL Express where she worked as the Chief Pilot.

At the PAF, she flew the CESSNA, the SF 260 MP and the NOMAD 22.

In 2017, Capt. Martinez received the STAR Award of the PAL group for being the captain of Airbus A320/321 Captain in logging a total of 9,678 flying hours.

Leonides V. Peña, the AVP/Director of Philippine Airlines (PALexpress) Inflight Services & Training Department posted on his Facebook photo of him with Capt. Martinez. 

Photo Courtesy || Leonides V. Pena

Peña captioned the photo with "with the first female CHIEF PILOT IN ASIA, Capt. Amorelle Martinez.

READ ALSO: PTCOL. Vincent Bangwa - The first Igorot helicopter command pilot, flight instructor of the PNP

A chief pilot main job is to oversee all pilots, ground personnel, and flight attendants. The duties includes scheduling flights, coordinating aircraft maintenance, and ensuring the department meets all local and federal regulations. 

READ ALSO: Kalinga pilot, the first Filipina to be in-command of a Philippine Air Force C130

Philippine Airlines (PAL), a trade name of PAL Holdings, Inc. (PSE: PAL), also known historically (until 1970) as Philippine Air Lines, is the flag carrier of the Philippines. Headquartered at the PNB Financial Center in Pasay, the airline was founded in 1941 and is the first and oldest commercial airline in Asia operating under its original name.