‘20 years of very hard work’: MD Patrick Fenech reflects on Malta School of Flying’s 20th anniversary

Patrick Fenech, Managing Director (MD) at Malta School of Flying (MSoF), has looked back on the flight school’s journey over the years, in a post to mark the occasion of its 20th anniversary.

The school, also referred to as Professional Aviation Training Academy – Malta, was set up in April 2004. It is certified as a pilot training organisation by the Civil Aviation Directorate of Transport Malta, and is recognised by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) as a tuition centre, as well as an accredited flying school.

Over 20 years ago, Mr Fenech, then a young private pilot, teamed up with entrepreneur and private pilot Kenneth Caruana to purchase a Cessna 206 aircraft. Due to limitations in flight training in Malta at the time, only certain courses were provided, but as it acquired new aircraft, it also increased its course portfolio.

“20 years of very hard work with obstacles all along the way,” Mr Fenech remarked.

“Building an academy from ground zero to what it is today: with backup aircraft, a state-of-the-art simulator, with a part 145 maintenance facility to serve mainly the fleet, two twin-engine aircraft equipped with the latest technology, a team of staff, large school, and more,” he added.

He said that it is “so rewarding” to see students achieve different milestones, whether to fly privately or commercially. “It gives me a lot of satisfaction to board an aircraft and find an ex-student at the controls,” Mr Fenech continued.

He proceeded to thank those who have supported him along the journey, sometimes leading to “personal sacrifice and hardship,” as MSoF would haven been possible without them. He also expressed gratitude to the school’s customers over the years.

Mr Fenech stated that he looks forward to seeing the academy continue to operate in a safe and professional manner as it has done over the past 20 years. “We will continue doing all we can to retain the 99.9 per cent first-time pass rate on all our advanced courses and to form excellent pilots. These targets remain our top priority,” he affirmed.

Mr Fenech career in the aviation industry commenced in 1997, when he joined Malta International Airport (MIA) as Meteorological Assistant. Aside from establishing MSoF, he also served in a number of different positions at various aviation companies, including Malta Air Traffic Services Ltd and Malta Wings.