Elisah Malmalit’s journey from a young aviation enthusiast to a key member of Pacific Helicopters Limited’s highly skilled engineering team is nothing short of inspiring. After earning a diploma in Avionics Science and Engineering and gaining valuable hands-on experience as an Avionics Technician in the Philippines, Elisah joined Pacific Helicopters in his home country of Papua New Guinea as an avionics apprentice in 2019.
Fast forward to today, and Elisah has achieved a major milestone: he’s now a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (L.A.M.E.) with specialised expertise in the cutting-edge Airbus H145 aircraft, which Pacific Helicopters recently added two of to its growing fleet. Elisah reflects on his journey from aspiring aviator to industry professional, with a passion for mentoring the next generation of engineers at Pacific Helicopters, exploring the world and continuing to advance his craft.
“My fascination with helicopters began at a young age, and pursuing that passion led me to study Engineering in Avionics Science and Technology at Indiana Aerospace University in Cebu, the Philippines. Graduating in 2017 was a huge achievement and starting with Pacific Helicopters as an avionics apprentice in May 2019 was the next big step in making my dreams a reality.
Joining Pacific Helicopters straight out of aviation college, my initial days were filled with learning the ropes from my experienced colleagues who felt like family. Their encouragement and support helped to motivate me and showed me early on the kind of positive team culture Pacific Helicopters encourages in the company. After working hard and qualifying as a Licensed Avionics Engineer in December 2023, seeing my efforts come to fruition felt incredibly rewarding. It was clear to me that Pacific Helicopters was the perfect place to build my foundation and grow my career.
One of the standout moments in my career so far has been attending the Airbus five-bladed H145 Helionix Avionics Systems course in Dallas, United States, in June 2024. This was a significant achievement for me as I became the latest licensed aircraft maintenance engineer at Pacific Helicopters and received specialised training on the remarkable Airbus H145.
Dallas was an unforgettable experience. The city lived up to its reputation—big, fast-paced and vibrant. The three-week course was rigorous and challenging, but with an exceptional Airbus instructor and great classmates by my side, focusing solely on the advanced H145 systems was a tremendous opportunity. It was thrilling to work with cutting-edge technology and connect with professionals from across North America.
The trip also gave me a chance to experience the local culture. Sampling the famous Texas barbecue was a highlight, even if I wasn’t able to extract any insider tips from the local chefs! Returning to Pacific Helicopters and working with the Airbus H145 is a dream come true. The aircraft’s advanced digital systems represent a significant leap in aviation technology, and being part of such a highly skilled team at Pacific Helicopters is an honour. While I’ll always have a soft spot for the BK-117 having worked on it a lot, the H145 represents the future of aviation, and being involved with it is exciting.
Currently, my focus is on mentoring new engineers and developing my own skills. It’s important to me to give back to Pacific Helicopters and the aviation industry as a whole for the many doors it has opened for me. My career has granted me the opportunity to experience some fascinating places around the world—a privilege that I cherish and am eager to continue making the most of.
Reflecting on my journey from the early days of training to where I am now, I’m deeply grateful for every opportunity. Working with Pacific Helicopters has been an extraordinary experience, and I’m excited about the future we are building together.”
Pictured above: Airbus Technical Instructor Ed Wytaske presenting Pacific Helicopters’ Licensed Avionic Engineer B2 Elisah Malmalmit with his type rating certificate for the Airbus H145 in Dallas, Texas.