Captain Farrugia was among the first 12 Maltese cadets who chose a career as a pilot, becoming co-pilot in 1978. He was also among the first of six Maltese to become captains in 1985. And there has been no turning back since.

Capt. Farrugia was involved in bringing to Malta Air Malta’s first wholly owned Boeing 720B from the States in 1979, the first Boeing 737-200 in March 1983 and the first Airbus A320 in 1990. The highlight of his career was when he was in command of the aircraft which flew Pope John Paul II to Rome after his second visit to Malta. On this flight Capt. Farrugia opted to make all in-flight announcements in Polish and for this he had to learn a bit of the language.

Now he forms part of the team who trains others to become pilots and captains with the national airline. Air Malta at present has 75 captains and 62 first officers.

Capt. Pace, on his part, proudly explains that the Maltese pilot community grew over the years providing career opportunities to many young Maltese. But whatever the nationality, there have been many moments when the airline did it’s country proud.

“We have flown our colours on leases abroad, with our own crew in New Zealand, Holland, Greece, Italy, Chile, Tripoli and Abu Dhabi. I recall that when in New Zealand a crew member had asked me to come out since there was a slight commotion. I was greeted by a group of Maltese-Australians who had been surprised to see the plane carrying Air Malta’s colours. They were even more surprised to learn there were Maltese on board. ‘Are you Maltese?’ they asked me, hugging me tightly. I felt so proud,” Capt. Pace said.

Both captains are extremely proud that Air Malta’s biggest achievement so far “is our safety record, and this is not easy to keep”. Air Malta has achieved highly and has been voted the second best airline for baggage loss and among the first for not cancelling any flights.

Captains Farrugia and Pace recall the 9/11 attacks and describe them as an “unwanted blot on the industry”. Since that attack and the introduction of tighter security measures, “our job has become impersonal”. “Before I used to enjoy meeting the passengers and even greeting them in the cockpit itself. But this has now all changed; we are working behind bullet-proof doors, and hardly anyone is allowed into the cockpit. Apart from this we hardly leave the cockpit anymore, whereas before this was encouraged.”

Capt. Farrugia said all pilots have to undergo overseas training twice a year. “We also have refresher and emergency training once a year.”

“We maintain a high level of safety, with all the training that goes on, together with the pilots’ sharpness and wits,” they said, looking forward to flying many more hours in the future.

Source: Weekender, March 28, 2009