Mr. Lapsitthiphone

As a recent graduate (2024) of the Integrated CPL/MECR/MEIR and ATPL GS course, Mr. Lapsitthiphone gave the following speech during the signing ceremony of the agreement between PACTEC and the Lao government outlining the cooperation until October 2029:

Mr. Lapsitthiphone during flight training in Canada, June 2023, with the PA34 - Piper Seneca

My name is Mr. Lapsitthiphone Sixanon, and I'm a first officer at Lao Skyway. I'm presently flying the MA60, a 60-seat, turbo-prop airplane for domestic or regional routes.

My inspiration to become a pilot has been my dad. I have watched him fly from the time I was a little child, and I wanted to be like him. He is still flying now as a captain at Lao Skyway and I look forward to flying with him soon once I have gained more flight hours.

I was a student at CAFTC for several years and graduated in March 2024.

I came to CAFTC as a Lao Skyway cadet. After passing the selection process, I started from the very beginning with the Aviation Career Preparation Course. I then got my Private Pilot License, followed by the Commercial Pilot License. Then it was on to the Single Engine Instrument Rating and the Multi-Engine Instrument Rating for while I spent 6 weeks in Canada in 2023. Following my return to Laos, I continued my studies with the ATPL ground school course for six months before finally joining Lao Skyway.

The time I spent studying at CAFTC was challenging, but overall, very enjoyable. I gained a lot of skills, knowledge and experience, not just about flying an airplane but more than that. I learned other good, foundational things to becoming a pilot such as time management, self-discipline, integrity, high responsibility, leadership and teamwork. I think these are basics pilots around the world should have.

I can say CAFTC changed my perspective to think more positively and, to sympathize and understand others around me better.

The learning environment and the airplanes at the flight school were awesome. Everything was well prepared and well maintained. There was also good support for the students.

I think everyone who passed through CAFTC knows this well. I have made the recommendation to friends in Canada, Thailand and Mongolia, to come study at CAFTC. I would recommend to DCA, PTI , Lao Airline , LaneXang Airways and Lao Skyway that they send their staff there as well, for training in Aviation English, Pilot Training or Mechanic Training. In addition to the training, you learn about a global culture and you are exposed to  the  culture of many countries.

Did you know the current instructors and staff there are from Laos, Canada, the USA , Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and Sri Lanka ? While I was a student there, there was also staff from Scotland, France and the UK.

Even though CAFTC’s staff are from different countries around the world, when they come to CAFTC they share the same culture which is the aviation culture.

In my opinion, Laos has a unique opportunity and should work with PACTEC and CAFTC, helping and supporting them, and promoting  them in any way possible. This is a great opportunity to develop our country further and become independent of training schools in other countries. Likewise, PACTEC, CAFTC and the Lao government should double down on their efforts to train more Lao staff like flight instructors and teachers.

My strongest memories from my time at CAFTC are my first solo and solo long X-C flight.

I think all pilots still remember theirs. My first solo flight happened December 10th, 2020. What I learned from it is: You don't have to be 100% confident and feel ready with everything. You just start to do it, and after that your readiness and confidence will increase with time and practice.

What I learned from my solo long X-C flight to Savannakhet, Attapeu and Pakse, is that time management, discipline, situational awareness of everything around you and planning ahead are the key to a successful flight.

So, I can say CAFTC became my second home - because I spent time there from 8am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, some early mornings and some late evenings and many Saturdays. You can ask my wife.!

The Instructors at CAFTC are not just there to teach aviation theory and how to fly airplanes, but they encourage you. They're willing to support and help you in any way that they can.

For example, when you have a problem when you study, they will help point  you in the right direction.

My wish for PACTEC and CAFTC in next coming 5 to 10 years, is to have a lot of student pilots from Laos and from other countries, to start mechanic training and to continue teaching many aviation English student in different provinces.

I also wish they could find a way to have their own multi-Engine airplane to be able to do all the flight training here in Laos and not have to travel to Canada or Thailand which, while very nice, makes the training last longer.

Last but not least...

In my opinion PACTEC and CAFTC instructors and staff are not just working at a flight school, they are not just teachers who teach us a theory and how to control an airplane, but they are like a " Friendship Bridge" over which we can walk to our dream - to be come a pilot

Thank you ຂອບໃຈ

FO Lapsitthiphone Sixanon, February 27th, 2025