SIA sponsored cadetship FAQ
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SIA sponsored cadetship FAQ
Hi all,
A couple of days ago, the 'flying' bug bit me and I made the decision to apply to SIA as a cadet once I'm done serving my current bond (in about 5 years
). I stumbled upon this forum when I was trying to find out more and spent the last 2 days reading pages after pages of threads and websites. I'm not sure about other aspiring pilots, but I was simply overwhelmed by all the information and jargons!
While there have been many past interviewees, cadets and pilots who have been patiently sharing their personal experiences and answering questions, getting answers to specific questions was difficult.
So I thought it'd be good way to repay the community that I've learnt so much from to compile some of the questions, answers, and resources that I can find in a single post that might hopefully help SIA cadet wannabes like myself not feel as lost, and to make sure that people who have gone through the process do not waste their time answering questions that they have previously answered before!
*Please note that I'm not trying to represent the company or anything. I have not even applied for cadetship!
Most questions and especially answers are not mine and I'll try to give credit where possible. I'll try to post all views offered so that readers will be able to decide for themselves.
If you have questions and answers to share, please let me know and I'll append to this post accordingly!
1. Introduction
SIA cadetship is a fully sponsored flight training program offered by Singapore Airlines to aspiring candidates who show a strong interest in aviation. Upon graduation from their training, cadets are inducted as First Officers (FO) and begin their piloting career with either the main carrier, SIA, SilkAir, or Singapore Airline Cargo. This highly coveted position is offered to Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PR).
2. FAQs
2.1 - Application process
Qn: Where can I submit my cadet application to SIA?
You should start your application process from this page.
Qn: What are the pre-requisites I have to fulfill to be eligible?
Taken from here:
Unfortunately, the requirements above are not flexible.
Questions regarding GCE O level:
Q - If I have 5 O level credits but done in 2 sittings, will I still be eligible?
A - According to some answers given, it seems like this requirement is set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) for the issue of Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
I did a little digging and as it turns out, it's true; 5 credits is a requirement by CAAS. You can read it from here. So regardless of your degree, masters or pHDs, you might still be held back by your GCE O.
However, I couldn't anything on that CAAS website about doing it in one sitting.
Here are some links to schools offering O level preparatory courses in Singapore:
Thanks to cagivaplanet
- TMC
- ITE
- BMC
Q - I did combined science in school, will that work?
A - Yes, combined science is accepted but one subject should preferably be physics.
Questions regarding height and eyesight:
Q - I'm <1.65m, can I still apply?
A - I've read a few posts that mentioned of interviewees being sent home because they did not meet this requirement, but I got the feeling that these might have been suppositions and nothing really concrete. However, this post by Airbus_380 might shed some light on this requirement. Link
Q - Will LASIK affect my chances?
A - After LASIK, there is a need for your eyes to be stabilized which could be anywhere between 6 months to a year. Interviewers might request you come back and try again when your eye sight has stabilized.
Q - Will color blindness prevent me from applying?
A - I've found this other forum with a really good answer from a Captain. You can read his answer here
Qn: Are there any other requirements not explicitly stated?
According to AiRBuS_380 here, and sq111 here, being able to swim 50m is a mandatory skill. This requirement would most likely be applicable to the cabin crew (Flight Steward/Flight Stewardesses) as well and not just the technical crew. So if you have any FS/FSS friends, you can ask them about it if you want further confirmation.
Age. SIA will only accept Singapore males above the age of 26. This is to allow the Air Force have first pick of pilots from a limited pool of resources. Some forum users are saying if RSAF rejected you, you are then allowed to apply before the age of 26. I didn't read any first hand experience of this but it seems logical.
Qn: After submiting my application, how long before I'm contacted for my first interview?
The numbers that I've got ranges from 1 week to 6 months! It's a long and painful wait, not knowing if you've been accepted or whether they've got your application. Best advice is to wait for the call/email.
Qn: My application has been rejected! What should I do?
From what I could gather, rejections at this stage are caused by applications not properly filled or applicants not meeting the requirements. Check your application again and re-apply if necessary
Qn: I've been seeing this term "ab initio", what does it mean?
In latin it means "from the beginning". In this context (ab initio cadets), it means cadets without prior flying experiences.
2.2 - Interviews
Qn: I've been invited for an interview session! What should I wear?
Congratulations on being shortlisted for the interview! As with all interviews, one should dress to impress! This is a large company you are applying to and you are trying to convince them to spend a large sum of money on you, so err on the side of caution!
- Proper long sleeved shirt, all buttoned up
- Dress pants, starch and crease the thing till it oozes if need be
- Leather shoes
- A tie
- No odd stains in odd places!
- Proper grooming! Make sure hairs that aren't supposed to be seen, isn't!
There's a post I saw here that said right at the top of the interviewer's form, there is a column for "first impressions". No prizes for guessing what they look out for for this part!
Qn: How many stages are there in the interview process?
For this, you can read the personal experience of a forum user here - Knightwhosays_NI! Link
In short, the interview process takes place over a period of 3 days.
The 1st interview is a fairly simple question-and-answer session. Successful applicants are invited for the 2nd interview, which is held over a 2 day period.
First day of interview #2 is fairly simple with a computerized psychomotor component as part of your aptitude test. You might know of something similar if you've been to RSAF's Pilot selection test over at CMPB.
Second day, interview #2. There is a situational test (SIT test for those who have been through BMT) component which tests how well you work in a team. Following which, there's a final interview which is similar to the first except with a larger panel. Once that's done, you're invited to the tea party which, despite its name, is not a party! Conduct yourselves well and head on home.
*This post here by randomx and here by autobrakes3 says that the SIT test component has been removed and the whole interviewing process consists of 1st interview > Aptitude + Final interview + Tea party.
Again, successful applicants will be sent for their medicals which involves taking a blood sample! So if you're not a fan of someone pricking you with needles like myself, best be mentally prepared.
After a variable amount of waiting time, candidates who have passed their medicals are sent for a 21 day outward bound camp! I'm not exactly sure but I think it might be somewhere at this point where you are offered a contract with the company into her main airline (SQ) or its subsidiaries (SIA Cargo, SilkAir). Bond of 7 years begins upon commissioning as FO.
After this point, I couldn't find much information but I think cadets are sent to Singapore Flying College at Seletar (Singapore), before heading to SFC Jankadot (Perth), and finally to Maroochydore (Sunshine Coast Airport, Queensland) for their Lear Jet 45 phase. Link, Link
The process might have changed over the years and I cannot confirm the validity of what I've written here so please take it with a pinch of salt. These are bits and pieces that I have gathered online. If there's any, and probably will be, mistakes please let me know!
Qn: When are the interviews conducted?
By autobrakes3:
"There would be a "1st interview" session every friday of the month and there will be a "final interview" session every wednesday. "
Qn: What can I expect from the computerized aptitude test?
Edenspace has kindly provided a fairly detailed list of how the test goes in his post here.
Qn: If I've failed my interview, how soon after can I apply again?
Again from a thread kindly posted by Knightwhosays_NI, there is a 6 month 'cooling off' period before you can/should apply.
Qn: I have not received any notices from the company after xx months! Should I call or resend my application?
I'm of 2 minds about this. As an anxious applicant, contacting them for more information seems like a logical choice. But if I'm the person sifting through hundreds of applications per month, nothing would be as annoying as having the same hundred calling me. The more calls they have to answer, the longer the shortlisting will take, I suppose.
As far as I can gather, most applicants got a reply of some sort, be it an invitation to the next stage or a rejection letter. Only a few forum users stated that they did not receive any replies. So I'll quote many of the users here "No news is good news!"
Qn: What are some of the interview questions asked?
I'll post links to all the questions I can find. But you can generally expect questions ranging from:
- Science (theory of flight)
- General knowledge of aircrafts and aviations, especially those pertaining to SIA (what are rudders used for, and what is its relationship with ailerons, differences between planes, engines used by SIA planes, ETOPS)
- Knowledge about the company (who is the CEO)
- General knowledge about.. well, everything (capital cities, world leaders)
- Current affairs
So plenty of studying to do! As promised, the links:
1 - Link
2 - Can't find that post! Will add later.
Qn: How can else can I prepare myself for the interview?
Winglet_Fever provided a good book "Ace the Technical Pilot Interview" which you can download off the net from here.
You can also get your feet wet with a simulated flying experience here to get a better idea of how it would be like in a cockpit.
If you have a fairly deep wallet, you can also try this course that is held in Melbourne, Australia.
2.3 - Cadet life and beyond!
Qn: How much are cadets paid?
A post by Starburst3128 breaks down the different pay grades of a cadet. Link
Qn: What is the difference between a Second and First Officer?
By Thermal_Image here:
"They are called cadets only up to the LJ45 stage.
Once they are sitting in the RHS they are known as Second Officers. Second Officership is just a transitional training phase; nobody is really appointed as a Second Officer any longer than necessary unlike certain other airlines where a Second Officer may actually function as a member of the crew. SIA Second Officers can only sit in the RHS with an instructor sitting in the LHS.
Therefore Second Officers are not "relief pilots" in the strict legal sense of the word. A qualified FO is required to be available to strap himself into the RHS on demand, so that means the FO is usually sitting in the observers seat to satisfy this requirement. Technically. "
Qn: Should I pay for my own flight training if I do not make the cut?
I'll quote and paraphrase a reply from a forum user who kindly took the time to answer my question. Respect his privacy, I won't share his username here until he allows me to.
"Most of the good schools are overseas and require a full time commitment. Singapore Flying College (SFC) provides a full time CPL course too which takes about 2 years and 150k."
"CPL holders might have gotten their licence from schools that did not give them the proper appreciation of flying and its associated theories"
"CPL is not enough. You can only work in small carriers companies with it"
From the other threads I've read, general concensus is that paying for your own flight training will not give you an edge. Some have suggested that it might hurt your chances in the interview because the company might be looking for fresh candidates not filled with preconceptions and bad habits obtained from their previous trainings.
Qn: Is there a direct intake by SIA for Pilots with flight experience?
Seems like there isn't one for Second Officers and First Officers. Probably only for experienced Captains with the appropriate type ratings.
3. Resources and links
[A]
"Ace the Technical Pilot Interview" - McGraw Hill
Ailerons - 1, 2
[C]
CRM - 1, 2, 3
[E]
ETOPS - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
[O]
Observations of first interview by Knightswhosay_NI - 1
[R]
Rudders - 1, 2
[T]
Theory of flight - 1,2
4. Credits
I would like to thank everyone who has generously shared their personal experiences and insights! I've learnt a great deal about the process of getting from a nobody to the right-hand seat of a plane! Some people that I've learnt a great deal from (their post) although some might no longer be checking this forum:
AiRBuS_380, autobrakes3, Captain Lim, Knightswhosay_NI, sq111, Thermal_Image
[Notes]
Wow, this is hard work! Tons more to be added so I'll try to get on it whenever I can! Till then, study hard and good luck! I'll try to join you as soon as I can!
A couple of days ago, the 'flying' bug bit me and I made the decision to apply to SIA as a cadet once I'm done serving my current bond (in about 5 years
). I stumbled upon this forum when I was trying to find out more and spent the last 2 days reading pages after pages of threads and websites. I'm not sure about other aspiring pilots, but I was simply overwhelmed by all the information and jargons! While there have been many past interviewees, cadets and pilots who have been patiently sharing their personal experiences and answering questions, getting answers to specific questions was difficult.
So I thought it'd be good way to repay the community that I've learnt so much from to compile some of the questions, answers, and resources that I can find in a single post that might hopefully help SIA cadet wannabes like myself not feel as lost, and to make sure that people who have gone through the process do not waste their time answering questions that they have previously answered before!
*Please note that I'm not trying to represent the company or anything. I have not even applied for cadetship!
Most questions and especially answers are not mine and I'll try to give credit where possible. I'll try to post all views offered so that readers will be able to decide for themselves.
If you have questions and answers to share, please let me know and I'll append to this post accordingly!
1. Introduction
SIA cadetship is a fully sponsored flight training program offered by Singapore Airlines to aspiring candidates who show a strong interest in aviation. Upon graduation from their training, cadets are inducted as First Officers (FO) and begin their piloting career with either the main carrier, SIA, SilkAir, or Singapore Airline Cargo. This highly coveted position is offered to Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PR).
2. FAQs
2.1 - Application process
Qn: Where can I submit my cadet application to SIA?
You should start your application process from this page.
Qn: What are the pre-requisites I have to fulfill to be eligible?
Taken from here:
- Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident
- GCE ‘A’ level, Polytechnic Diploma or Degree. In addition, you must have obtained a minimum of 5 Credits in the GCE ‘O’ level or its equivalent. These must include English, Mathematics and a Science subject, preferably Physics, taken at one sitting
- At least 1.65 m in height
- Myopia of not more than 500 degrees and astigmatism of not more than 125 degrees, fully correctable with optical aids. For candidates who have undergone corrective eye surgery (e.g. Lasik), the pre-surgical visual acuity should also meet the above requirements
- Medically fit
Unfortunately, the requirements above are not flexible.
Questions regarding GCE O level:
Q - If I have 5 O level credits but done in 2 sittings, will I still be eligible?
A - According to some answers given, it seems like this requirement is set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) for the issue of Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
I did a little digging and as it turns out, it's true; 5 credits is a requirement by CAAS. You can read it from here. So regardless of your degree, masters or pHDs, you might still be held back by your GCE O.
However, I couldn't anything on that CAAS website about doing it in one sitting.
Here are some links to schools offering O level preparatory courses in Singapore:
Thanks to cagivaplanet
- TMC
- ITE
- BMC
Q - I did combined science in school, will that work?
A - Yes, combined science is accepted but one subject should preferably be physics.
Questions regarding height and eyesight:
Q - I'm <1.65m, can I still apply?
A - I've read a few posts that mentioned of interviewees being sent home because they did not meet this requirement, but I got the feeling that these might have been suppositions and nothing really concrete. However, this post by Airbus_380 might shed some light on this requirement. Link
Q - Will LASIK affect my chances?
A - After LASIK, there is a need for your eyes to be stabilized which could be anywhere between 6 months to a year. Interviewers might request you come back and try again when your eye sight has stabilized.
Q - Will color blindness prevent me from applying?
A - I've found this other forum with a really good answer from a Captain. You can read his answer here
Qn: Are there any other requirements not explicitly stated?
According to AiRBuS_380 here, and sq111 here, being able to swim 50m is a mandatory skill. This requirement would most likely be applicable to the cabin crew (Flight Steward/Flight Stewardesses) as well and not just the technical crew. So if you have any FS/FSS friends, you can ask them about it if you want further confirmation.
Age. SIA will only accept Singapore males above the age of 26. This is to allow the Air Force have first pick of pilots from a limited pool of resources. Some forum users are saying if RSAF rejected you, you are then allowed to apply before the age of 26. I didn't read any first hand experience of this but it seems logical.
Qn: After submiting my application, how long before I'm contacted for my first interview?
The numbers that I've got ranges from 1 week to 6 months! It's a long and painful wait, not knowing if you've been accepted or whether they've got your application. Best advice is to wait for the call/email.
Qn: My application has been rejected! What should I do?
From what I could gather, rejections at this stage are caused by applications not properly filled or applicants not meeting the requirements. Check your application again and re-apply if necessary
Qn: I've been seeing this term "ab initio", what does it mean?
In latin it means "from the beginning". In this context (ab initio cadets), it means cadets without prior flying experiences.
2.2 - Interviews
Qn: I've been invited for an interview session! What should I wear?
Congratulations on being shortlisted for the interview! As with all interviews, one should dress to impress! This is a large company you are applying to and you are trying to convince them to spend a large sum of money on you, so err on the side of caution!
- Proper long sleeved shirt, all buttoned up
- Dress pants, starch and crease the thing till it oozes if need be
- Leather shoes
- A tie
- No odd stains in odd places!
- Proper grooming! Make sure hairs that aren't supposed to be seen, isn't!
There's a post I saw here that said right at the top of the interviewer's form, there is a column for "first impressions". No prizes for guessing what they look out for for this part!
Qn: How many stages are there in the interview process?
For this, you can read the personal experience of a forum user here - Knightwhosays_NI! Link
In short, the interview process takes place over a period of 3 days.
The 1st interview is a fairly simple question-and-answer session. Successful applicants are invited for the 2nd interview, which is held over a 2 day period.
First day of interview #2 is fairly simple with a computerized psychomotor component as part of your aptitude test. You might know of something similar if you've been to RSAF's Pilot selection test over at CMPB.
Second day, interview #2. There is a situational test (SIT test for those who have been through BMT) component which tests how well you work in a team. Following which, there's a final interview which is similar to the first except with a larger panel. Once that's done, you're invited to the tea party which, despite its name, is not a party! Conduct yourselves well and head on home.
*This post here by randomx and here by autobrakes3 says that the SIT test component has been removed and the whole interviewing process consists of 1st interview > Aptitude + Final interview + Tea party.
Again, successful applicants will be sent for their medicals which involves taking a blood sample! So if you're not a fan of someone pricking you with needles like myself, best be mentally prepared.
After a variable amount of waiting time, candidates who have passed their medicals are sent for a 21 day outward bound camp! I'm not exactly sure but I think it might be somewhere at this point where you are offered a contract with the company into her main airline (SQ) or its subsidiaries (SIA Cargo, SilkAir). Bond of 7 years begins upon commissioning as FO.
After this point, I couldn't find much information but I think cadets are sent to Singapore Flying College at Seletar (Singapore), before heading to SFC Jankadot (Perth), and finally to Maroochydore (Sunshine Coast Airport, Queensland) for their Lear Jet 45 phase. Link, Link
The process might have changed over the years and I cannot confirm the validity of what I've written here so please take it with a pinch of salt. These are bits and pieces that I have gathered online. If there's any, and probably will be, mistakes please let me know!
Qn: When are the interviews conducted?
By autobrakes3:
"There would be a "1st interview" session every friday of the month and there will be a "final interview" session every wednesday. "
Qn: What can I expect from the computerized aptitude test?
Edenspace has kindly provided a fairly detailed list of how the test goes in his post here.
Qn: If I've failed my interview, how soon after can I apply again?
Again from a thread kindly posted by Knightwhosays_NI, there is a 6 month 'cooling off' period before you can/should apply.
Qn: I have not received any notices from the company after xx months! Should I call or resend my application?
I'm of 2 minds about this. As an anxious applicant, contacting them for more information seems like a logical choice. But if I'm the person sifting through hundreds of applications per month, nothing would be as annoying as having the same hundred calling me. The more calls they have to answer, the longer the shortlisting will take, I suppose.
As far as I can gather, most applicants got a reply of some sort, be it an invitation to the next stage or a rejection letter. Only a few forum users stated that they did not receive any replies. So I'll quote many of the users here "No news is good news!"
Qn: What are some of the interview questions asked?
I'll post links to all the questions I can find. But you can generally expect questions ranging from:
- Science (theory of flight)
- General knowledge of aircrafts and aviations, especially those pertaining to SIA (what are rudders used for, and what is its relationship with ailerons, differences between planes, engines used by SIA planes, ETOPS)
- Knowledge about the company (who is the CEO)
- General knowledge about.. well, everything (capital cities, world leaders)
- Current affairs
So plenty of studying to do! As promised, the links:
1 - Link
2 - Can't find that post! Will add later.
Qn: How can else can I prepare myself for the interview?
Winglet_Fever provided a good book "Ace the Technical Pilot Interview" which you can download off the net from here.
You can also get your feet wet with a simulated flying experience here to get a better idea of how it would be like in a cockpit.
If you have a fairly deep wallet, you can also try this course that is held in Melbourne, Australia.
2.3 - Cadet life and beyond!
Qn: How much are cadets paid?
A post by Starburst3128 breaks down the different pay grades of a cadet. Link
Qn: What is the difference between a Second and First Officer?
By Thermal_Image here:
"They are called cadets only up to the LJ45 stage.
Once they are sitting in the RHS they are known as Second Officers. Second Officership is just a transitional training phase; nobody is really appointed as a Second Officer any longer than necessary unlike certain other airlines where a Second Officer may actually function as a member of the crew. SIA Second Officers can only sit in the RHS with an instructor sitting in the LHS.
Therefore Second Officers are not "relief pilots" in the strict legal sense of the word. A qualified FO is required to be available to strap himself into the RHS on demand, so that means the FO is usually sitting in the observers seat to satisfy this requirement. Technically. "
Qn: Should I pay for my own flight training if I do not make the cut?
I'll quote and paraphrase a reply from a forum user who kindly took the time to answer my question. Respect his privacy, I won't share his username here until he allows me to.
"Most of the good schools are overseas and require a full time commitment. Singapore Flying College (SFC) provides a full time CPL course too which takes about 2 years and 150k."
"CPL holders might have gotten their licence from schools that did not give them the proper appreciation of flying and its associated theories"
"CPL is not enough. You can only work in small carriers companies with it"
From the other threads I've read, general concensus is that paying for your own flight training will not give you an edge. Some have suggested that it might hurt your chances in the interview because the company might be looking for fresh candidates not filled with preconceptions and bad habits obtained from their previous trainings.
Qn: Is there a direct intake by SIA for Pilots with flight experience?
Seems like there isn't one for Second Officers and First Officers. Probably only for experienced Captains with the appropriate type ratings.
3. Resources and links
[A]
"Ace the Technical Pilot Interview" - McGraw Hill
Ailerons - 1, 2
[C]
CRM - 1, 2, 3
[E]
ETOPS - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
[O]
Observations of first interview by Knightswhosay_NI - 1
[R]
Rudders - 1, 2
[T]
Theory of flight - 1,2
4. Credits
I would like to thank everyone who has generously shared their personal experiences and insights! I've learnt a great deal about the process of getting from a nobody to the right-hand seat of a plane! Some people that I've learnt a great deal from (their post) although some might no longer be checking this forum:
AiRBuS_380, autobrakes3, Captain Lim, Knightswhosay_NI, sq111, Thermal_Image
[Notes]
Wow, this is hard work! Tons more to be added so I'll try to get on it whenever I can! Till then, study hard and good luck! I'll try to join you as soon as I can!
