HISTORY OF AVIATION

Founding of Aviation at Sumigla: Established on January 2, 1935, as the Philippine Constabulary Air Corps (PCAC), which served as a tactical and service company under the Philippine Army.
Transition to Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC): Redesignated on January 11, 1936, under the control of the Philippine Army.
Aircraft Inventory: Utilized Longstermans 73L training planes as air assets by 1941, with aircraft including fighters, light bombers, reconnaissance planes, and trainers.
World War II Context: Date of December 7, 1941, marked the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, leading to heightened tensions and eventual military engagement. The attack began at 07:40 AM, catching American forces unprepared.
Alarm in Manila: The call to arms resonated through the church bells in Manila on December 10, 1941, signaling danger.

Initial Military Aviation Development: The Philippine National Guard established on March 17, 1917, approved by Senate President Manuel L. Quezon, mandated to form an aviation unit with 15 officers and 135 enlisted personnel.
Training Initiatives: The Curtis School of Aviation hired to train 33 students at Camp Cloudy, leading to the first Filipino military pilot, Lieutenant Leoncio Malinal, achieving solo flight on April 20, 1920.
Formation of the Philippine Air Service: Of the 33 initial trainees, only 25 graduated; six formed the Philippine Air Service in January 1921, which soon dissolved due to lack of equipment.
Revival and Growth: The Philippine Constabulary Air Corps was reactivated in 1935, leading to the establishment of the Philippine Army Air Corps in November 1936.
Aircraft Evolution: By mid-1941, the Air Corps expanded to 54 aircraft, including bombers and reconnaissance planes, but faced losses against Japanese forces at Pearl Harbor.

Baptism of Fire: The raid at Sablan Field marked a significant encounter for BAK pilots against Japanese forces; notable actions by Captain Jesus Villamor on December 12, 1941, involved engaging 17 Japanese Zeros and 27 bombers.
Guerrilla Warfare: After initial losses, officers, including Captain William Moore, continued resistance through guerrilla tactics.
Need for Air Defense: Pacific war experiences underscored the necessity for an established air defense, leading to the formation of the Army Aviation Battalion Provisional on April 15, 1978.
Subsequent Developments: The battalion was deactivated in March 1983, reactivated in January 1997, and integrated into the Light Armored Brigade; its function included reconnaissance, troop movement, and support operations.

Roles and Responsibilities: The Headquarters Company oversees Command Aviation Platoon, Airfield Security Platoon, and others involved in air operations.
Airscout Company: Focuses on aerial reconnaissance and limited security for infantry and armoured operations.
Maintenance and Training: The Aircraft Maintenance Company provides essential maintenance and recovery, while the Aviation Training School handles both basic and advanced training for pilots.
Aviation Training Anecdote: A narrative highlighting the importance of preparation and adaptability in flight scenarios—encouraging persistence in executing aerial maneuvers effectively.

Flight Dynamics: Emphasizes the need for decisive actions when facing challenging landings—shift mindset when conditions appear unfavorable.
Mental Preparedness: Acknowledges the importance of maintaining calm and not succumbing to pressure during landing scenarios; repetition of the idea of being able to 'go around' if conditions are not ideal.

Final Message: Encourages resilience and adaptability in aviation—highlighting that waiting for correction in adverse situations may lead to failure, advocating for readiness to abort landing if necessary.