According to information published by the U.S. Navy on February 14, 2022, the U.S. turned over four Cessna 172 Skylark planes to the Philippine Naval Air Wing based in Sangley Point, Cavite as part of a Php298.1 million ($5.8 million) grant under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program.
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Cessna 172 Skylark trainer (Picture source: U.S. Navy)
The Cessna planes will be used to train new naval aviators, as well as to maintain the capabilities of current pilots and the technical expertise of aviation mechanics.
The February 10 delivery completed the transfer of the four Cessna planes that arrived and were reassembled on location in December 2021. Prior to the aircraft’s delivery, the United States provided pilot and mechanic training to 24 Philippine service members in Kansas City, Kansas in August and September 2021.
The entire package also included the shipment of spare parts and an integral logistics support package and will conclude with the scheduled delivery of three U.S.-sourced Robinson R44 helicopters in late 2022.
In the past two years, the United States has provided $110 million (Php5.65 billion) in grant assistance through FMF, specifically to support the Philippines’ sovereignty and modernization efforts.
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is an American four-seat, single-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. First flown in 1955, more 172s have been built than any other aircraft.
