Flying high driving the largest jet

Emirates Airline’s first Filipino Airbus A380 captain, Capt. Franklyn Desiderio, shares his journey to living out his dream.

Aviation has long held a certain unreachable image to many and pilots are among the top professionals who are looked on with awe and admiration.

But being a pilot is more than going after what one wants, it needs extreme discipline.

For Desiderio, flying was a childhood dream which he paid for with an enormous serving of discipline and commitment. Desiderio, now 42, has some 22 years of flying experience and has visited almost all countries across the continents except South Africa.

His name may already sound familiar as his name landed in the news exactly a year ago when Emirates flew in an A380 jet from Dubai to Manila on a one-off trip. As of this writing, Desiderio is the first Filipino captain to be at the helm of an A380, currently the world’s largest jet.

“Being the first Filipino A380 captain is my career’s greatest achievement,” he said.

Desiderio was born in 1973 in Sta. Cruz, Manila, and is the second among three siblings. He graduated with a degree in Aviation Science major in Flying from Airlink International Aviation School in Pasay City in 1993. He first flew a plane at 16 years old and he described the experience as an unforgettable one.

“I remember being driven by my parents to flight school one morning. I was flying with the late Captain Paul Testa, and we flew an RPC-1052, a Cessna-152 single engine trainer plane from Manila Airport to Plaridel Airport in Bulacan. Nothing compares to what I felt, being able to control an airplane and finally breaking away from the ground. I remember looking back as we took off and gained altitude and saw how things became smaller and smaller,” he said.

Desiderio has gone a long way from that ecstatic, 16-year-old. He now lives with his wife, and two sons aged 17 and 12 in Dubai, Emirates’ global hub. He has also clocked in a decade of service with Emirates.

“Emirates is an airline with a vision. From the time I joined in 2005 up to the present, I have seen them make their vision into reality,” he said.

Ten years is surprisingly a short time for Desiderio who never gets tired of living out his childhood dream. His advice to aspiring pilots is hard work and be disciplined.

“Nothing is impossible to those who do good in their studies, to those who persevere, and to those who believe that no matter what it takes as long as you focus on your goal, it can be done,” he said.

Q: You were the first Filipino to be able to fly an A380, is this correct? What does this mean for you? And what can you tell your fellow Filipino pilots or aspiring pilots who dream of being able to fly an A380?

A: Honestly, I cannot take all the credit. Yes, I am the first Filipino captain who was able to fly the A380. But years back, there was a Filipino-American who was my copilot (1st Officer) who flew it as well.

In my case, being the first Filipino A380 captain was my career’s greatest achievement. From time to time, I tell my colleagues, friends and aspiring pilots that nothing is impossible to those who do good in their studies, to those who persevere and to those who believe that no matter what it takes as long as you focus on your objective, it can be done.

Q: How different is it, flying an A380 compared to other planes?

A: Flying the A380 in itself is not much different from other types of airplanes. It may be massive in size, but controlling is fairly similar to other airplanes, too. What makes it stand out from the rest is probably the technical side of the A380 itself.

Q: What virtue or characteristic do you think helped you become a captain on the Airbus fleet? What can you advise those who also aspire to be one?

A: An aspiring Emirates pilot will go through a preemployment pilot assessment. It will include technical exams, simulator and team resource management workshops, not to mention medical tests as well. We undergo regular trainings and checks, making sure that when the time comes we will be suitable for the command upgrade.

Again, to be able to attain those goals one has to continue “reading” and keeping oneself updated with all the changes happening within the scope of flight operations, especially things that have something to do with the safe and efficient operation of your aircraft.

Q: Any favorite destinations?

A: I like doing flights to the US, like New York and San Francisco. But I do enjoy Asian flights, too, as it brings me closer to home. I do hope I’ll see Manila as an A380 destination someday.

Q: What is a regular day at work like for you?

A: Regular day at work, I guess, would be the same as working in the office. I sit in my office, the flight deck, as the manager of the day. Putting into action the plan presented to us by our dispatcher. I am there to manage and supervise the whole day’s activity, with my 1st officer and cabin crew as my team. Also to solve problems as they arise, to make correct decisions and to make sure that the day’s mission ends in a safe and efficient outcome.

Q: What do you miss most about your country?

A: I miss my parents, siblings and friends.