Jetstar Asia Cadets to attend Groundschool in Singapore

[flying.monkeyz]

Heard from reliable sources that CAE is in the process of setting up a ground school in their new building in Seletar, and all 3K cadets will attend ground school there before heading to Melbourne for flight training.

[JGSE]

It's great to hear that, while Jetstar Asia pilots are flying 60 hours a month and earning basic salary, they will hire cadets from Oxford. Who will profit from this???

[TOPGUN777]

Hi there,

Do you know how soon are they going to establish the grdschool? Cheers!

[N5748E]

Not gonna happen so soon. As of now, all still fly to the UK to do ground training in Kidlington, Oxford. From what I know there are 4 cadets who just finished ground school a couple of days ago.

[flying.monkeyz]

CAE is working on opening up a ground school at their sim centre at Seletar sometime this year. Subsequent batches will most probably do their ground school in Singapore before heading over to Melbourne for flight training.

[sgcloudchaser]

anyone applying for the CAE 3K?
any idea when are the assessments and interviews?
how many courses will there be and what are the intake figures?
appreciated.

[sgcloudchaser]

seems like many are also attending the assessment by CAE for 3K...

[dagger19]

yup, i have seen the A320 sims there, and its pretty impressive...

[N5748E]

Many will apply, but many also go AWOL once they realize they have to cough up aud37,190 for ground school, aud74,310 for flying phase, and finally aud31,000 for type endorsement. The finance scheme by RHB bank is almost impossible to acquire because you need someone willing to be your "sponsor" with a sizable income to be eligible for the loan.

[Stallone]

if i not wrong, RHB allows multiple guarantors.

but then, maximum loan is SGD100,000

[N5748E]

Up to six guarantor, max of sgd$100,000, so another sgd$65,000 you'll have to source on your own. Not including living expenses and beer money for the 18-24 mths of training.

[dagger19]

But you are secured with a flying position at d end of the day.
I think its a reasonable deal. In fact I think its an opportunity. =)

[SOPS]

And dagger19 answer sums up exactly why this industry finds itself in the mess it is in today.

[N5748E]

No such thing in this industry. When you pass the final round there's a "letter of intention" they will give you which clearly states even if you pass the course, you are not promised a job due to a variety of reasons.

All the new cadet schemes are just milking the cash rich parents with kids who desperately wanna play "pilot".

[dagger19]

so what is your suggestion for aspiring pilots? =)
at least to me its a reasonable and realistic path to fly a big jet.

[N5748E]

Join the RSAF, fly with them for the MTE or minimum term of engagement. Once you finish, CAAS has in place a long course, short course or helicopter conversion/RSAF <700 TT (fixed wing) depending on what you flew and how much you flew.

That is the "cheapest" way to become a pilot, and the best part the first 2 years counts as your national service, OR, if you wait LOOOOOOONNNNGGGG enough, you might be able to try for Singapore Airlines, but who knows, I might be dead by the time they open selection up again...

[Stallone]

getting into rsaf is even harder than getting into airlines.

SQ? Those who got in in 2010 is not being able to touch the real jet until 2015 at least, on a meagre pay of less than 2k/mth, think of the income lost as compared to this 18mth course and straight into the jet.

[dream747]

To be honest and indeed fair, there is no job security anywhere. Going to university for a degree doesn't guarantee you a job after one graduates as well. Understandably, the risks of choosing this path can be higher, given the large amount of money that one has to fork out and the many factors present that can prevent you from getting that job at the end of the day.

If you go through the list, cadets who have successfully completed the course all have a job with their respective airlines; at least, without consideration of external and factors that can affect the industry, the airlines have the intention to employ.

I guess at the end of the day, you have to consider all the risks and factors and make an informed decision. Jobs are not guaranteed, but nothing in life is, and I might go as far as to say that opportunities to be a professional pilot have never been this many made available to locals today.

[flying.monkeyz]

Regardless of nationality, if you aspire to be a pilot, just go and do it. Weigh all side of the risk vectors and make an inform decision.

I know a lot of people have strike it rich with real estate. But at the end of the day, that's not what I want and that's not what I'll be good at.

The route to a flying job is long and full of hurdles, obstacles, and countless people telling you things like you shouldn't do it / you're wasting your time... etc. If you really want to fly, you'll need a lot of determination, access to sh1t load of money, contingency plans in case it doesn't work out for whatever reason(s), and luck!

[Maverick16]

Hi Stallone,

How do you know those cadets who were accepted into the SIA Cadet program in 2010 are still "grounded"? SIA was still recruiting till December 2011.

[N5748E]

The last batch was in Aug/Sept or 2011, in the end they got sent to Silk air, as of now they are still in Jandakot. Should be doing their GFPT now.

[Maverick16]

Really? They are still in Jandakot? That's kinda pretty long for the training. How do you know that all of them have been posted to Silkair?

[N5748E]

I know a few of them.

[sgcloudchaser]

anyone attended assessment and interview with CAE this week? how is it going?

[Stallone]

tomorrow should be the last day for Day-2 Assessment

[wonderland]

Ah the day 2 assessment, sit in a circle and play with building blocks. Still pouring water into a cup suspended by wooden blocks?

[TehHalia]

CAE website indicate that they are open for jetstar asia application. Closing date december 2013. Anybody applying for this? I'm thinking to submit my application. Any advice or potential obstacle that I should be wary?? Its integrated ATPL program.. safer than MPL, you think?

[wonderland]

Nothing is safe TehHalia, especially in this industry. You want some advice? Don't research or "learn how to ace an airline interview", apart from learning some basic aviation knowledge, go for the COMPASS test with and attempt it honestly to YOUR OWN ABILITY. If you pass, you have what it takes, if you don't, it's best to find another line of work.

After that, just find a way to pay the $180,000...

[Droste]

"learn how to ace an airline interview", apart from learning some basic aviation knowledge, go for the COMPASS test with and attempt it honestly to YOUR OWN ABILITY. If you pass, you have what it takes, if you don't, it's best to find another line of work.
It is a waste of money/time to read.

Believe me, if the interviewers like the applicant, they will consider him/her. Even if s/he can tell dragon and phoenix stories but have "gkuai-laan" face, out s/he goes.

Always remember, it is not what you know, it is whom you know.

[CodyBlade]

Absoutely concour with you on the "GL" face sadly for many,many Singaporeans this is their default mode!.

Usually old grey-beard recruiters decide within the first 30 sec if you are in.
You want to impress them with your knowledge gleened from a book well they'll let you talk until you dig yourself in a hole.

You are not expected to know anything at this stage -they sussing you out.

Remember it's their reputation/judgment on the line too.

[N5748E]

The guy who interviewed me later on in my career at that company admitted he only hired me because he liked the motorcycle I rode, I hope he's only joking.

[N5748E]

Yes, such as reading the FCOM, eating sandwiches, and entering data into the FMS. Hard days yakka indeed mate.

[Stallone]

banks only allow maximum 10years repayment period

50? ya, if u start paying at 40 that is.

[game454]

So any successful cadets here?

[N5748E]

No, the batch currently in YMMB did their ground school in the uk, I believe 3k/5 is the first batch that did ground school in sg.

[NovemberWhiskyLima]

Finally I see a thread with many Singaporeans.

Hi all, here's my two-cents' worth.

The RSAF is a really good route. Sadly it is also true that they are more stringent. I was with RSAF in 2001-2003 and finished my ground school in AFS waiting to go to Pearce for BWC. However, I failed an FFI due to an anemic condition and got permanently downgraded. I don't even serve reservice now. I also tried to upgrade my PES status but twice I was told it's a perm downgrade and they can't reverse it.

However, I have checked with an aeromedical doctor who has told me that my condition is not a problem in civil aviation. PLAB Med Centre told me they didn't want to take the risk because there was no precedence. I had actually heard that line before but it was on TV.:mad:

Now, as I work to save some money, I am looking to go to the States to acquire a CPL. Many flight schools there and cheaper than other places such as NZ, OZ and EU. However, I have yet to decide on which school and I am still researching. I wish everyone the best if you could find and decide on a good school. Please let us all know if you manage to find 1 and have a good experience.

Regarding the RHB loan, that's also my choice of loan now. Has anyone applied and successfully gotten the loan? I would love to hear more about it. That remains the biggest barrier to entry at this point. If a loan cannot be secured, all my plans go down the drain. Please feel free to reply to my post or PM me.

NWL