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Rota’s first commercial pilot touches down at Legislature
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Posted on Dec 02 2008
Francisco Sasakura Mendiola hopes that more youth would pursue a career in aviation because it is one of the areas where the CNMI is lacking.
Mendiola was presented with a legislative resolution commending him for his achievements as the CNMI’s first commercial pilot from Rota before a Senate session yesterday morning.
“I thank the Legislature, especially Sen. Paul Manglona, who introduced the resolution. My family would like to thank all of you,” said Mendiola, who was accompanied by his wife Judy, parents Fidel and Fermina and sister Villia Hocog during the simple presentation ceremony led by Senate President Pete A. Reyes and House Speaker Arnold Palacios.
Reyes read the lengthy resolution that traced Mendiola’s career path, from being an elementary student on Rota to a refrigeration technology graduate in Guam, then an aviation certificate in Hawaii, and now as a full-fledged pilot.
Mendiola received his Private Pilot Certificate from the Associated Aviation Activities in Honolulu as well as his Instrument, Commercial and Multi-Engine Certificates from the Hawaii Country Club of The Air. He completed his Air Traffic Controller Training in June 1985.
Mendiola began his career in aviation when he became a first officer and captain on a DeHavilland Twin Otter on scheduled and chartered flights throughout Guam and the CNMI in 1986 for Maui Airlines.
In 1987, Mendiola became a Captain on a Twin Piper, flying tourists around Hawaiian Islands for Panorama Air Tour, then at Aloha Island Air.
In 1992, he moved to Hawaiian Airlines, where he became a first officer on a Boeing 767-300.
From 1992 to 1998, Mendiola worked at Pacific Island Aviation on Saipan.
This month, he is scheduled to be promoted as a Captain on a Boeing 767-300ER with Hawaiian Airlines.
Mendiola has a current total flight time of 19,000 hours.
He is certified as a Transport Pilot and Flight Engineer for airplane types Embraer EMB-110, Shorts SD-3 Boeing B757 and B767 and McDonnell Douglas DC-10.
Mendiola also has interests in photography, electricity and air-conditioning.
