Singapore Advanced jet training no longer.
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Singapore Advanced jet training no longer.
Singapore SFC Chairman Mr Cheng annouced the closure of the Advanced jet training facilities at Maroochydore airport yesterday. All staff given 2 days notice and all operations cease 24th July. Sad day for all , probably for the Airline itself as it has been a source of highly trained pilots for many years. The sale of the last Leajet 45s is still on going and now the future of the massive training infastructure,probably one of the best in the world, is to be either outsourced or sold off .This includes the 2 level D simulators,1 Learjet simulator ,fixed base instrument trainer and four cessna mustang aircraft.
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Geez, only 2 days notice to all staff. 
Suggests they were on very short-term contracts, if that. 
I wonder if they feel that a type rating endorsement is all that is required? 
If so, yet another dive for the bottom. 
Suggests they were on very short-term contracts, if that. I wonder if they feel that a type rating endorsement is all that is required? If so, yet another dive for the bottom.
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Well, perhaps SQ will follow other airlines and have S/O's for a couple of years before they become F/O's? It's probably a much cheaper way to gain the necessary experience.
I'm more concerned about your username vhxxxx !
lol ..On a curious note, why did SQ have a jet transition course for their cadet pilots anyway? Is it similar to Qantas using the HS125 back in the 70's for their cadets?
And maybe it is being moved somewhere else, due to high costs in Australia?
ASN Aircraft accident Learjet 31 9V-ATD Ranong
They stopped the flow of cadets through Adelaide some time ago (years) and the jet instructors have been waiting at home (on bare base pay) for a recall to duty. Looks like it ain't gonna come.
Geez, only 2 days notice to all staff
Thailand is a cheaper place to fly that Australia, with more ILS equipped airports. Maybe they are moving somewhere like that?
vhxxx - various staff tell me the closure was announced on Monday with the doors to close on Friday. Not quite "two days notice" and anyway I'm in no doubt that SFC will meet their contractual obligations to the employees to the letter.
Yes, they do still have a Lear simulator, although it's boxed up.
Please spare a thought for the staff - there are a bunch of very talented and decent people now unemployed.
I think the reasons for the closure are probably purely economic. Not only the ever increasing costs of doing business in this country and the high Australian dollar contributed, but the flow of cadets had slowed to a trickle, reflecting significantly reduced recruiting by SIA. Currently they average 4-6 cadets at Maroochydore at any given time; before the GFC you'd see something like 24 present. And lastly there was the realization that other reputable airlines have successful cadet programmes that simply don't have an advanced jet phase. Cathay cadets, as an example, complete their CPL and IR at Parafield, then became mainline SO's for several years. During this phase their training continues with many simulator proficiency and training sessions, and then they face a rigorous FO upgrade programme. This is arguably equally effective and doubtless cheaper than running a jet training centre.
I would strongly doubt that they'll start up elsewhere.
I spent three very happy years at SFC, possibly the "nicest" job I've ever had. A modern facility, excellent simulators, the students who were smart, keen and respectful, a decent aeroplane (I'm talking about the Lear 45 here) and very supportive staff. Led by a CP respected and liked by all, the instructors were simply a great bunch of guys. The usual point-scoring and jockeying for position that you usually see in the pilot group was notably absent - they just got on with the job.
Vale SFC.
Yes, they do still have a Lear simulator, although it's boxed up.
Please spare a thought for the staff - there are a bunch of very talented and decent people now unemployed.
I think the reasons for the closure are probably purely economic. Not only the ever increasing costs of doing business in this country and the high Australian dollar contributed, but the flow of cadets had slowed to a trickle, reflecting significantly reduced recruiting by SIA. Currently they average 4-6 cadets at Maroochydore at any given time; before the GFC you'd see something like 24 present. And lastly there was the realization that other reputable airlines have successful cadet programmes that simply don't have an advanced jet phase. Cathay cadets, as an example, complete their CPL and IR at Parafield, then became mainline SO's for several years. During this phase their training continues with many simulator proficiency and training sessions, and then they face a rigorous FO upgrade programme. This is arguably equally effective and doubtless cheaper than running a jet training centre.
I would strongly doubt that they'll start up elsewhere.
I spent three very happy years at SFC, possibly the "nicest" job I've ever had. A modern facility, excellent simulators, the students who were smart, keen and respectful, a decent aeroplane (I'm talking about the Lear 45 here) and very supportive staff. Led by a CP respected and liked by all, the instructors were simply a great bunch of guys. The usual point-scoring and jockeying for position that you usually see in the pilot group was notably absent - they just got on with the job.
Vale SFC.
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Article on the closure in today's Sunshine Coast Daily;
Staff laid off as $50m jet training college closes doors | Sunshine Coast Daily
Perhaps Aeromil and their new training arm Flight Options in conjunction with Cessna might step in and either buy or lease the complex from SIA.
Staff laid off as $50m jet training college closes doors | Sunshine Coast Daily
Perhaps Aeromil and their new training arm Flight Options in conjunction with Cessna might step in and either buy or lease the complex from SIA.
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Actually BPA I think that SIA leased the building from Aeromil in the first place. Might be wrong on that but I thought thats what I saw when I was up that way in 2008.
Dora-9, I think you might be correct is suggesting that the operation will not be moved elsewhere. SIA has the capacity, like QANTAS to educate their new starts as SO on long haul. IIRC, QANTAS got rid of the HS-125s' when simulators became available so there was no need to run people round in mini-jets any more.
Dora-9, I think you might be correct is suggesting that the operation will not be moved elsewhere. SIA has the capacity, like QANTAS to educate their new starts as SO on long haul. IIRC, QANTAS got rid of the HS-125s' when simulators became available so there was no need to run people round in mini-jets any more.
Err, I thought the Qantas HS.125 was intended mainly for upgrading FO to Capts, as many FO's didn't have the required hours/sectors?
Another thought on the SFC closure is that many years ago Cathay bought a Lear 45 too. I got the distinct impression that the entire program hadn't really been thought through (now that's not like CX management, is it?) but was purchased on the basis of "if SQ can do this so can we". Saner heads prevailed, and the whole project was dumped...
Another thought on the SFC closure is that many years ago Cathay bought a Lear 45 too. I got the distinct impression that the entire program hadn't really been thought through (now that's not like CX management, is it?) but was purchased on the basis of "if SQ can do this so can we". Saner heads prevailed, and the whole project was dumped...
I wonder if SQ noticed a decline in cadet manipulative standards after they swapped the Lears out for the Mustangs? At least the Lear demanded a bit of skill, whereas one of the Mustang's selling points is that almost any PPL could fly it after a few hours dual.
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Me Me Me, no chance for SIA these days unless therehas been a complete change of policy as they are not hiring Expats at this time.
There was a small bleed from the feet in Singapore times, 4 to the A-310 and one to the 777, 1996-2000, was one of the lucky ones to the 310.
Out of about 20 elligable not a good ratio.
As Dora-9 said, the lear job was one of the best kept secrets around, you were busy, in 5 years I did 2200 stick, 1500 Sim and 3700 landings in the 31s.
Regrettably I did not do the 45, had a quick look at one and thought that it was all you could ask as an Advanced Trainer.
Having been "terminated" by SIA with the demise of the 310, I know it is a kick in the guts, but one door shuts, another opens, I went on to 5 years Sim work, really good fun in Korea, Singapore and Melbourne.
Good luck guys
There was a small bleed from the feet in Singapore times, 4 to the A-310 and one to the 777, 1996-2000, was one of the lucky ones to the 310.
Out of about 20 elligable not a good ratio.
As Dora-9 said, the lear job was one of the best kept secrets around, you were busy, in 5 years I did 2200 stick, 1500 Sim and 3700 landings in the 31s.
Regrettably I did not do the 45, had a quick look at one and thought that it was all you could ask as an Advanced Trainer.
Having been "terminated" by SIA with the demise of the 310, I know it is a kick in the guts, but one door shuts, another opens, I went on to 5 years Sim work, really good fun in Korea, Singapore and Melbourne.
Good luck guys
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Singapore Advanced jet training no longer.
@Me Me Me i doubt SQ would offer them especially after the last round of cuts to the expat pilots, senior capts & the junior guys plus the freeze on recruitment.
