Lee
12th February 2005, 11:09
Feb 12, 2005
SIA raps 3 pilots over use of simulator
The 3, who helped ex-colleague Ryan Goh get permission to use the equipment, are reminded to follow company procedures
By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent
THE three Singapore Airlines pilots, involved in the controversy over helping a former colleague renew his flying licence on a company flight simulator, have been rapped on the knuckles.
They have been sent formal notes reminding them to be more mindful of company procedure, and have been counselled.
The company, which spent several weeks investigating the case, wrote last week to Captain Mok Hin Choon, president of the Air Line Pilots Association-Singapore (Alpa-S), one of its vice-presidents, Captain C. C. Chew, and the third man, to tell them its decision.
The airline's spokesman, Mr Stephen Forshaw, confirmed the letters were issued, but declined to comment further, saying only that 'this is an internal matter' and 'the case is closed'.
When contacted, Capt C. C. Chew, too, refused to be drawn on the case, which could have seen the trio hauled before an inquiry panel, as 'there's really nothing more to say'. Capt Mok could not be reached as he was out of town.
The flight-simulator incident, involving one-time SIA captain Ryan Goh, who now lives in Perth, is not expected to affect the trio's career prospects in the company, The Straits Times understands.
The three had maintained from the onset that it was not their intention to mislead the company when they helped him get permission to use the flight simulator at SIA's training centre on two occasions last October.
Mr Goh was labelled an 'undesirable immigrant' by Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng last March, over his role in a pilots' union dispute, and his permanent-resident status was revoked.
He was in Singapore again in October,and with the simulator sessions, passed two flying tests and got his licence for flying with Singapore-based airlines renewed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
The problem arose because Alpa-S did not inform SIA that one of those simulator sessions had been changed from a practice to a 'base-check', which involves routine take-off, flight and landing procedures used for renewing flying licences.
In a recent memo to union members explaining the trio's side of the story, Capt Chew said: 'The sole intention was to help a fellow affiliate member, an ex-colleague of some 26 years, who was in need of our help.
'The association acknowledges that on hindsight, clearance should have been sought to change the second simulator session to a base-check.'
It was not done, he noted, because Capt Mok, who had been dealing with the flight-crew training centre on behalf of his former colleague, was busy or away.
'Given we were keeping to the two sessions, it did not occur to him that this would be an issue with management,' added Capt Chew.
The union has also apologised for the oversight.
SIA raps 3 pilots over use of simulator
The 3, who helped ex-colleague Ryan Goh get permission to use the equipment, are reminded to follow company procedures
By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent
THE three Singapore Airlines pilots, involved in the controversy over helping a former colleague renew his flying licence on a company flight simulator, have been rapped on the knuckles.
They have been sent formal notes reminding them to be more mindful of company procedure, and have been counselled.
The company, which spent several weeks investigating the case, wrote last week to Captain Mok Hin Choon, president of the Air Line Pilots Association-Singapore (Alpa-S), one of its vice-presidents, Captain C. C. Chew, and the third man, to tell them its decision.
The airline's spokesman, Mr Stephen Forshaw, confirmed the letters were issued, but declined to comment further, saying only that 'this is an internal matter' and 'the case is closed'.
When contacted, Capt C. C. Chew, too, refused to be drawn on the case, which could have seen the trio hauled before an inquiry panel, as 'there's really nothing more to say'. Capt Mok could not be reached as he was out of town.
The flight-simulator incident, involving one-time SIA captain Ryan Goh, who now lives in Perth, is not expected to affect the trio's career prospects in the company, The Straits Times understands.
The three had maintained from the onset that it was not their intention to mislead the company when they helped him get permission to use the flight simulator at SIA's training centre on two occasions last October.
Mr Goh was labelled an 'undesirable immigrant' by Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng last March, over his role in a pilots' union dispute, and his permanent-resident status was revoked.
He was in Singapore again in October,and with the simulator sessions, passed two flying tests and got his licence for flying with Singapore-based airlines renewed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
The problem arose because Alpa-S did not inform SIA that one of those simulator sessions had been changed from a practice to a 'base-check', which involves routine take-off, flight and landing procedures used for renewing flying licences.
In a recent memo to union members explaining the trio's side of the story, Capt Chew said: 'The sole intention was to help a fellow affiliate member, an ex-colleague of some 26 years, who was in need of our help.
'The association acknowledges that on hindsight, clearance should have been sought to change the second simulator session to a base-check.'
It was not done, he noted, because Capt Mok, who had been dealing with the flight-crew training centre on behalf of his former colleague, was busy or away.
'Given we were keeping to the two sessions, it did not occur to him that this would be an issue with management,' added Capt Chew.
The union has also apologised for the oversight.