When you hear “Mojave Desert,” you might think of a barren landscape. But for aviation fans, it’s a dream destination filled with hundreds of planes. In the Philippines, getting access to an airport tarmac isn’t easy due to permits and paperwork. But there’s a spot in Plaridel, Bulacan that’s a haven for aviation enthusiasts which we call “The Mojave Desert Plane Boneyard of the Philippines”. It’s not a plane graveyard; it’s an aviation school called DPR-PATS. If you’re into planes, this is where you want to be.
DPR-PATS focuses on aircraft maintenance and offers a standout Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) course. This two-year program prepares students for a licensure exam at the Civil Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Once they pass, they earn an Airframe and Powerplant Rating. The school also has courses in tourism, Aviation Technology, and Aeronautical Science. But what sets them apart are their facilities, including real planes for hands-on learning.
More Than Just a School: A Campus with Real Planes
DPR-PATS has two campuses in Plaridel. The main campus features a functional ex-Cebu Pacific McDonnell Douglas DC-9. The air conditioning and electronics are all operational. But it’s the annex campus that steals the show.
It’s often called the “Mojave Desert of the Philippines” because it houses more than 20 unique planes, with plans to add even more. The collection includes two NAMC YS-11s, a Fokker F27, a LET 410, and vintage planes like a Piper Cub and ERCO Ercoupe.
The planes weren’t bought in flying condition; they were either stored or wrecked. These planes serve as projects for DPR-PATS students, who work to restore them to their original or near-original condition. Each plane has a different purpose. For example, one YS-11 will have an all-business class cabin, and a Fokker F27 will become a cargo plane.
A Powerful Vision
DPR-PATS President Christian Rivera has a vision to turn the annex into a mini airport where students can experience an actual airport setting. He also wants to make it a tourist spot for aviation enthusiasts. He even plans to add a small hangout area or coffee shop where visitors can relax and enjoy the view of the planes.
Upon entering the annex, I saw a huge white NAMC YS-11. Inside the hangar was another YS-11, and in front of me was a vintage Piper Cub. Other planes at DPR-PATS include a Piper Archer, Britten-Norman Islander, Piper Aztec, Beechcraft Baron, and various Cessna models. Some planes, like a Boeing 737 and a Fokker 50, are already on site and will be assembled in the future.
I can only imagine the sense of accomplishment that AMT students must feel after assembling a plane. And for aviation fans, this place is a dream come true. With plans to add more than 30 planes, you don’t have to go all the way to California to be close to a variety of aircraft. Just make your way to Plaridel, Bulacan.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
