Santo Domingo.- The reality TV program “I Want to Be a Pilot”, a national branding strategy promoted by El Nuevo Diario and conceived by Olga Isabel Pérez, in co-production with Irving Novas and with the support of Dominican entities both public and private, has been chosen as a finalist in the 2024 ATM Awards, considered among the most distinguished globally in the aeronautical sector.
This achievement represents a milestone without precedents for a Dominican project, marking the first time that recognition is obtained in this international award platform.
The nomination has been in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) category, recognizing those projects that stand out for their innovation and effectiveness in promoting a diversity of talents, providing equal access to opportunities and contributing to an aviation that better reflects contemporary society.
Among the same list of finalists of “I Want to Be a Pilot”, are renowned entities such as:
● JFKIAT, manager of Terminal 4 of JFK Airport (United States).
● General Authority of Civil Aviation of the United Arab Emirates.
● S, Air Navigation Services of Saudi Arabia.
● Frequentis, distinguished Austrian technology company.
These selected were chosen by an international jury composed of experts in the field, including representatives of CO, EUROCONTROL, Eve Air Mobility, Frequentis, MicroNav, and other key figures in the global aeronautical sector.
The ATM Awards are awarded annually within the framework of Airspace World, the most important global event in air traffic management. The winners of this year will be announced at an official ceremony to be held on May 13 in Lisbon, Portugal.
In addition to the DEI category, the awards also recognize achievements in other essential areas such as:
● Collaboration and community, with projects from the NASA, FAA, ICAO, and C.
● Advanced air mobility and drones (AAM), presenting initiatives from Wing, SAFIR-Ready and SkeyDrone.
● Technological innovation for sustainable skies, highlighting ENAIRE, NAV CANADA and EASA.
● Operational resilience in ATM, with proposals from Heathrow, ESSP and EUROCONTROL.
The incorporation of “I Want to Be a Pilot” in this select group represents a significant advance for the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, positioning itself as a model of social innovation in an industry as specialized as aviation.
About “I Want to Be a Pilot”
The Project, initiated in 2023 and which is still forming student pilots, anticipates its second edition for the year 2025 with new categories to be introduced, expecting to open inscriptions soon.
It has generated a significant impact on Dominican youth, bringing them closer to the professions of the aeronautical sector through an educational and aspirational approach. It has the support of public entities and private sponsors, including the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), Superior Academy of Aeronautical Sciences (ASCA), Dominican Airports of the 21st Century, power by VINCI Airports, AFP Reserves, Dominican Pilots Abroad, Social Policy Cabinet, Sky High Dominicana, Civil Aviation Board (JAC), SERVAIR, OGTIC, TERPEL, Dominican-American Cultural Institute, Enalas, Zoherga, Aerolatina, and the support of prominent Dominican figures in the aerospace industry such as Alec Subero and Scarlin Hernández, among others.
credits of the images of this post: n.com.do
