LINGAYEN —The habit of student pilots flying low over the Capitol grounds particularly on Mondays during the regular flag ceremony of employees has prompted the provincial board to create an ad hoc committee to study how a the Capitol grounds can be declared a “no-fly” zone for students of the flying school.

Fourth District Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario expressed apprehension over the practice of student pilots flying their airplanes in very low level especially during the Monday flag-raising ceremony of Capitol employees.

He said the low-flying planes piloted by students pose a serious risk to the lives of the people gathered for the ceremony. “Accidents can happen,” he intoned.

He recalled how the low flying planes flew pass through the area during the recent Lingayen Gulf Landings celebration and a 21-gun salute was being fired and cited the many instances the training planes flew overhead during flag raising ceremonies.

Tasked to head the committee is Fifth District Board Member Clemente Arboleda Jr. a licensed pilot himself.

The provincial board proposes that the “no fly zone” be imposed on special occasions only, including Monday flag raising ceremony. Rosario said.

“These are student pilots. We want to avoid untoward incidents. Prevention is better than cure,” he added.

Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimim Jr, presiding officer, weighed in on the discussion and said, “We hear of accidents and we do not know what (will happen) especially they are only pilot trainees”.

Soon as Arboleda accepted the assignment, the board members decided to invite the Civil Aviation Authority, the Civil Aeronautics Board the management of the  aviation school whose training planes are parked in nearby Lingayen airport.

Second District Board Member Raul Sison reiterated the urgency of imposing a ‘no-fly’ zone. (Eva Visperas/Leonardo Micua)

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