At just 19 years old, Christine Faith Bansil is taking flight—literally—and breaking through barriers in one of the most male-dominated industries in the world: aviation.
Christine, fresh out of high school, made the courageous decision to pursue pilot training and leap into the cockpit.
Her curiosity and adventurous spirit led her to OMNI Aviation after researching the top flying schools in the Philippines, which her boyfriend also recommended.
"What inspired me is I like being out of my comfort zone. I just want to feel the feeling of flying; it's like traveling," Christine shared in an interview.
Currently enrolled in the Private Pilot License Course, she is the youngest pilot trainee of OMNI Aviation among a group of mostly male and experienced student pilots and instructors.
When asked how OMNI helped and motivated her in training, Christine firmly said, "The standards are pretty strict, so it kept me pretty grounded. They're high standards, so I had high standards for myself."
While her story is one of inspiration, it hasn’t come without challenges. Living alone in a new country while undergoing rigorous pilot training would be daunting for anyone, let alone a teenager who had to live independently away from home.
"The most challenging for me is living solo, being so young and living solo. I had no prior background in aviation," she shared when asked about the challenges she faced.
Her journey is one of bold moves, grit, and the pursuit of passion—and yet, she’s thriving.
Just recently, Christine was released for her very first solo flight by her instructor, Capt. Vandolph Almuete.
"Capt. Van is very patient, very calm; his teaching style matches my pace. He's the youngest FI [flight instructor], and I'm the youngest trainee," she said when asked how she gets along well with her mentor.
In a field where women are still few, Christine stands as a reminder that the sky is really not the limit. Despite being in a male-dominated field, she shared that she doesn't feel intimidated or any different. In fact, her fellow trainees look up to her and sometimes ask for help.
Given the pressure in training and the challenges that come with it, Christine holds onto her life motto:
"Trusting God in all that I do because everything happens for a reason."
Christine's presence in the program is helping reshape perceptions and open doors for more young women to consider aviation as a career, and if there's a message she would love to send to aspiring young women pilots, it will be:
"Just explore. If it's really your passion, go for it. There's nothing wrong with trying something new."
Christine's journey deserves to be spotlighted, not for accomplishments alone, but for the representation and message she sends to the future aviators that passion, discipline, and courage can take you higher than you ever imagined.
Here at OMNI Aviation, we believe in supporting trailblazers like Christine and all those who want to learn to fly and soar like her.
