SIA Cadet Pilot - All Batches, Merged
Join Date: Aug 2009
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being myopic shouldn't reduce your chances at the interview as long as its under 500 as stated on the career website. most of my course mates don't have perfect eyesight and many seniors/pilots i've met wear specs like me.
however i do think they are very strict about the limits (both myopia and astigmatism pre lasik) listed
a word of advice.. please prepare before going to the interview. wikipedia is a good place to start! be humble, dress well and speak clearly and u should get through the first interview. you should of course read this entire thread too to find out more about the interview process and what is expected of you. lots of good info here.. although some might be outdated, but its still good to know
gd luck to those applying and those who got rejected, don't give up on your dream!
however i do think they are very strict about the limits (both myopia and astigmatism pre lasik) listed
a word of advice.. please prepare before going to the interview. wikipedia is a good place to start! be humble, dress well and speak clearly and u should get through the first interview. you should of course read this entire thread too to find out more about the interview process and what is expected of you. lots of good info here.. although some might be outdated, but its still good to know
gd luck to those applying and those who got rejected, don't give up on your dream!
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Well Articulate and Documented. About Senior Pilots wearing Spectacles, was it due to the shortage of applicants having perfect eyesight in the past or was it a norm for Commercial Pilots to have less stringent eyesight requirements?
Join Date: Jul 2008
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aren't the requirements roughly the same as for the airforce though?I don't think they can really expect to try to get in only people with perfect eyesight in this day and age where everyone's either reading too many books or watching too much tv or playing too many video games.And so they give that bit of leeway.haha.I remember during the ndp when they told those with glasses to take them off,cos they wanted to give people the impression that all commandos had perfect eyesight or something.
Join Date: Mar 2010
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hi guys,
I was one of the interviewees on 12th Mar...and i'm now as the same as those of you who went.
Very anxious to find out the results whether I can move on to round 2..however just a note..I have myopia up til 400+, hence, if i get rejected after Round 1 interview, i wouldn't be surprised as it could be because of my eyesight or my interview went bad.
Still, i'm glad i've found this part of the forum that's still very much alive..being looking through lotsa forums on cadet pilots and most of them has been inactive since late last year.
Anyway, let's hope for the best and update each other on the progress yea
I was one of the interviewees on 12th Mar...and i'm now as the same as those of you who went.
Very anxious to find out the results whether I can move on to round 2..however just a note..I have myopia up til 400+, hence, if i get rejected after Round 1 interview, i wouldn't be surprised as it could be because of my eyesight or my interview went bad.
Still, i'm glad i've found this part of the forum that's still very much alive..being looking through lotsa forums on cadet pilots and most of them has been inactive since late last year.
Anyway, let's hope for the best and update each other on the progress yea
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Edwin, i think we might have met at SIATC on Friday. I was there about 2:25+pm, and my interview was 4pm.
Do you remember seeing a large yellow waterproof backpack? If you saw it, I think we might have been on the same couch...
From the experience, it seems that the questions asked are meant to see how well we can take "grilling" more than anything. One of my reservist friends came, and was asked how planes fly etc... and some other questions where a person sure wouldn't have a clue unless they have been well-read. I'm making a wild guess that the questions asked are free-flow, improvised on the spot without rehearsals since I don't really remember seeing Capt K and the HR girl refer to any printed materials on hand.
I think I screwed up big time because of a question asked in my case about why I left my previous job, and why I intend to leave the current one - and to join SIA as a cadet pilot. The specific part that got me, was a very general observation from Capt K said that I didn't seem to have any leadership roles that I took before, so why should I think I qualify to be a pilot, although this would be the exact words he said. Originally, I prepared my own answer for "what makes you think you want to be a pilot?"... however it was not of use, but it was good that I asked myself before the interview, to know myself better.
I'm wildguessing here, but really from the way it goes, it's not a scripted interview, yet all that are asked are very general, open-ended questions. I have no doubt that both Capt K and the HR girl are good at what they do.
I guess that technical questions are very close-ended, and it's a "loss" to the interviewers in the sense if they happen to be interviewing an aviation tech-nut... so ultimately the general flow, I would guess, would drift toward open-ended questions - of which picks out words we said - and ask a new question on it... it's like what something I heard of "questioning the question"... I wasn't asked a single technical question, or anything to do with hardware, nor mathematics.
If I were to be asked how I felt emotionally during the interview, it was
1. cordial (asking about background)
2. mildly imposing (when changed to asking why I left my previous job)
3. "put words in the mouth" when they used a word that I just said and repeatedly worked it on me
4. relief (by changing questions in the end)
I'd wager to say this is something similar to what a pilot might be handling in a bad flight... however with all that I mentioned so far, I recalled one thing after I stepped out feeling deflated... No-one can stop us from getting what we WANT, so long as we truly WANT it. (assuming clearing all pre-requisites)...
Do you remember seeing a large yellow waterproof backpack? If you saw it, I think we might have been on the same couch...
From the experience, it seems that the questions asked are meant to see how well we can take "grilling" more than anything. One of my reservist friends came, and was asked how planes fly etc... and some other questions where a person sure wouldn't have a clue unless they have been well-read. I'm making a wild guess that the questions asked are free-flow, improvised on the spot without rehearsals since I don't really remember seeing Capt K and the HR girl refer to any printed materials on hand.
I think I screwed up big time because of a question asked in my case about why I left my previous job, and why I intend to leave the current one - and to join SIA as a cadet pilot. The specific part that got me, was a very general observation from Capt K said that I didn't seem to have any leadership roles that I took before, so why should I think I qualify to be a pilot, although this would be the exact words he said. Originally, I prepared my own answer for "what makes you think you want to be a pilot?"... however it was not of use, but it was good that I asked myself before the interview, to know myself better.
I'm wildguessing here, but really from the way it goes, it's not a scripted interview, yet all that are asked are very general, open-ended questions. I have no doubt that both Capt K and the HR girl are good at what they do.
I guess that technical questions are very close-ended, and it's a "loss" to the interviewers in the sense if they happen to be interviewing an aviation tech-nut... so ultimately the general flow, I would guess, would drift toward open-ended questions - of which picks out words we said - and ask a new question on it... it's like what something I heard of "questioning the question"... I wasn't asked a single technical question, or anything to do with hardware, nor mathematics.
If I were to be asked how I felt emotionally during the interview, it was
1. cordial (asking about background)
2. mildly imposing (when changed to asking why I left my previous job)
3. "put words in the mouth" when they used a word that I just said and repeatedly worked it on me
4. relief (by changing questions in the end)
I'd wager to say this is something similar to what a pilot might be handling in a bad flight... however with all that I mentioned so far, I recalled one thing after I stepped out feeling deflated... No-one can stop us from getting what we WANT, so long as we truly WANT it. (assuming clearing all pre-requisites)...
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Welcome Edwin. I am surprised that such a incident occured during NDP bogursif. Well i believe that the requirements of a Commercial Pilot is not as tough as that of a Military Pilot. However with that said, Pilots still have to be competent and be able to multi-task efficiently. Pyschometric skills are similar for both vocations. I guess the difference between both Pilots have to be reflexes and ability to cope with different variations of Pressure.
Anyone with insights to this matter might want to shed some light to enlighten both wannabe cadet pilots who did not make it to the Air Force or either way.
Cheers
Anyone with insights to this matter might want to shed some light to enlighten both wannabe cadet pilots who did not make it to the Air Force or either way.
Cheers
Join Date: Mar 2010
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hey bros, thanks for the warm welcome.
The interview was quite interesting.
I guess i was the 2nd guy to go in...the first guy who went in before me, came out like 5-10mins later...i guess there was something that he didn't fulfil.
Generally, like what most of the information i've gotten online, the questions posted to me are as follows:
1) self introduction & why i want to be flying etc
2) questions on SIA e.g. how many planes they have, what type etc
3) general questions on plane stuff (since they know i'm not that technical savvy on planes yet
4) general knowledge questions
5) pop quiz
I think i generally performed ok..except on the general knowledge part..and seriously i hope that if they will to flunk me, hopefully it will be at this stage rather than somewhere in between though.
I saw a couple of people here are quite persistent in getting that coveted job of the lifetime, i also do want to get it, however, i got to be realistic here though.
at the age of 26 and getting married soon, if i can't get in the first try, i got to put my feet down on the ground and strive another career.
Having said that, i still hope for the best and prepare for the worst
good luck to me and rest of you guys out there waiting for results or still in the course!!
Cheers!
The interview was quite interesting.
I guess i was the 2nd guy to go in...the first guy who went in before me, came out like 5-10mins later...i guess there was something that he didn't fulfil.
Generally, like what most of the information i've gotten online, the questions posted to me are as follows:
1) self introduction & why i want to be flying etc
2) questions on SIA e.g. how many planes they have, what type etc
3) general questions on plane stuff (since they know i'm not that technical savvy on planes yet
4) general knowledge questions
5) pop quiz
I think i generally performed ok..except on the general knowledge part..and seriously i hope that if they will to flunk me, hopefully it will be at this stage rather than somewhere in between though.
I saw a couple of people here are quite persistent in getting that coveted job of the lifetime, i also do want to get it, however, i got to be realistic here though.
at the age of 26 and getting married soon, if i can't get in the first try, i got to put my feet down on the ground and strive another career.
Having said that, i still hope for the best and prepare for the worst
good luck to me and rest of you guys out there waiting for results or still in the course!!
Cheers!
Join Date: Jan 2005
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just to share my own experience:
I got thru RSAF interview and stuff.. even the 02 sureties signed. However, I received a rejection letter few weeks after. No reason given. After comparing with my friend, I realised I had one "extra" day of medical. My "second" day of medical, they puffed some air into my eyes, then asked me to wait outside for 1hr, then puffed again, then see MO.. this goes on and on from 8am - 4pm. I thought this was normal until I found out that my friend didn't went through this.
However, for my SIA medical screening which was at EXACTLY the same medical centre. Exactly the same checkup, same stations, except for the checking of length of your leg, length of your arm, head size, etc etc which wasn't necessary for commercial pilot. I informed the MO of my previous RSAF medical checkup and queried what was that for, he didn't bother to explain and just replied that it won't affect my SIA medical.
Well, till date, it's still a mystery why I was rejected in RSAF but enrolled in SIA. Oh yah, on the side note, I have perfect eyesight (during then, not now). I was pes A in NS.
On a personnal note: I wouldn't say commercial's pilot medical are less stringent. Not everyone make it thru the medical for SIA, there are cases of candidates who passed every damn thing except medical, gosh.
I got thru RSAF interview and stuff.. even the 02 sureties signed. However, I received a rejection letter few weeks after. No reason given. After comparing with my friend, I realised I had one "extra" day of medical. My "second" day of medical, they puffed some air into my eyes, then asked me to wait outside for 1hr, then puffed again, then see MO.. this goes on and on from 8am - 4pm. I thought this was normal until I found out that my friend didn't went through this.
However, for my SIA medical screening which was at EXACTLY the same medical centre. Exactly the same checkup, same stations, except for the checking of length of your leg, length of your arm, head size, etc etc which wasn't necessary for commercial pilot. I informed the MO of my previous RSAF medical checkup and queried what was that for, he didn't bother to explain and just replied that it won't affect my SIA medical.
Well, till date, it's still a mystery why I was rejected in RSAF but enrolled in SIA. Oh yah, on the side note, I have perfect eyesight (during then, not now). I was pes A in NS.
On a personnal note: I wouldn't say commercial's pilot medical are less stringent. Not everyone make it thru the medical for SIA, there are cases of candidates who passed every damn thing except medical, gosh.
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Military Chopper Pilot w/ specs spotted
If you have today's Straits Times on the news of the Seahawk exercise Golden Merlion... you can see the chopper pilot with specs on. 
Join Date: Jan 2010
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TinyBrain, that extra test is for intraocular blood pressure, I think?.... but in the first place, did you have anything unusual about your eyes/optics that made them take notice?
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Hi TinyBrain
Thanks for the insight. May i ask how long are you with SIA right now and when did you take the SIA medical? Also once enrolled in SIA, do you still have to meet the below 500 degrees myopic vision requirement, even when its a norm that eyesights deteriorates with age?
Thanks for the insight. May i ask how long are you with SIA right now and when did you take the SIA medical? Also once enrolled in SIA, do you still have to meet the below 500 degrees myopic vision requirement, even when its a norm that eyesights deteriorates with age?
Join Date: Feb 2010
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@Macarto,
sorry to interrupt. Eyesight that gets worst with age, thats presbyopia you re talking about. i.e. Lao hua. I supposed most people get this, even i'm starting to get a little lao hua yan. As for short sightedness, it usually stabilizes in yr early teens. If your short sightedness increases as you grow older to beyond 500, beware! You might be going blind!
sorry to interrupt. Eyesight that gets worst with age, thats presbyopia you re talking about. i.e. Lao hua. I supposed most people get this, even i'm starting to get a little lao hua yan. As for short sightedness, it usually stabilizes in yr early teens. If your short sightedness increases as you grow older to beyond 500, beware! You might be going blind!