Singaporean self-sponsored CPL holders - where are you?

[cruisercruiser]

Originally Posted by 9M-

Hi 9M-, are you Singaporean? Did you fund your own training in Malaysia? If so, which school did you train? How did you get into your current job? Thanks in advance.

Yup pure singaporean. I pay my own money to fly in malaysia. what current job r u referring to?[/quote]

Hi there,

Read in this thread that you currently have 2 PPL students? So I assume you are an instructor with a malaysian flying club? Care to share your route to success with us? Like how you came out with the huge amount of cash required, how you got your first flying job and how you reached your current position, etc. It is definitely encouraging to know of a fellow singaporean who did it the hard way.

Cheers

[MasterD]

Hi all
I have just finished my masters degree in Aeronautical engineering and have been working night and day to save the money I need 2 fly. I have saved £30000 which is still not enough 2 learn 2 fly in London (UK). I have researched flying in Canada and US and it comes to roughly £40000 inc accommodation. I have written to a few schools in Malaysia/Singapore. MFA said its full, I have also tried phoning and writing to HM aerospace and Asia Pacific flight training but got northing.
If u could give me some more good schools I could contact it would be great, I have had a few flights in England and love it I could not think of a better place to be then in the air
Please help me fulfil my DREAM
Thanks in advance

[9M-]

Originally Posted by cruisercruiser

Hi there,

Read in this thread that you currently have 2 PPL students? So I assume you are an instructor with a malaysian flying club? Care to share your route to success with us? Like how you came out with the huge amount of cash required, how you got your first flying job and how you reached your current position, etc. It is definitely encouraging to know of a fellow singaporean who did it the hard way.

Cheers

Ok...didnt know i leak out my job that way heh. Anyway yes i am an instructor with a malaysian flying club but i will not say which one. For me the journey is a tough one. I started learning to fly while in Aus doing my degree. Got my PPL there and came back to singapore. Knew working as deskjob is not my ideal working life. Also i just cannot get over flying therefore i seek out revenues that can help me move on in this line.

Search around singapore and dont really see much prospect. Therefore i went to malaysia to learn flying. Converted my license to a malaysian one and from there began to clock hours by flying around malaysia. (To be an afi one needs 150hours solo time.)

Thereafter went to KL for 3 months to do my instructor rating course. Life in KL is tough...bad weather, bad living condition due to cheap motel..sigh

After i got my instructor rating began to teach. I must say teaching something u love is really a nice thing to be doing. The sense of satisfaction when students go for their first solo or pass their ppl is sensational. Anyway after accumulating 500 total hours, i am eligible to take the UkCAA papers and i took a total of about 21 papers technical and navagations. Did a CPL flight test and got a CPL. Afterwhich i continue to do the ATPL papers which are actually the same as the CPL papers. Just doing it another time and got my frozen ATPL.

So thats my life so far..wanted to give up many times due to many obstacles but there is just one thing that kept me goin :- the passion of flying. Cheers

[demandpump]

Originally Posted by 9M-

Ok...didnt know i leak out my job that way heh. Anyway yes i am an instructor with a malaysian flying club but i will not say which one. For me the journey is a tough one. I started learning to fly while in Aus doing my degree. Got my PPL there and came back to singapore. Knew working as deskjob is not my ideal working life. Also i just cannot get over flying therefore i seek out revenues that can help me move on in this line.

Search around singapore and dont really see much prospect. Therefore i went to malaysia to learn flying. Converted my license to a malaysian one and from there began to clock hours by flying around malaysia. (To be an afi one needs 150hours solo time.)

Thereafter went to KL for 3 months to do my instructor rating course. Life in KL is tough...bad weather, bad living condition due to cheap motel..sigh

After i got my instructor rating began to teach. I must say teaching something u love is really a nice thing to be doing. The sense of satisfaction when students go for their first solo or pass their ppl is sensational. Anyway after accumulating 500 total hours, i am eligible to take the UkCAA papers and i took a total of about 21 papers technical and navagations. Did a CPL flight test and got a CPL. Afterwhich i continue to do the ATPL papers which are actually the same as the CPL papers. Just doing it another time and got my frozen ATPL.

So thats my life so far..wanted to give up many times due to many obstacles but there is just one thing that kept me goin :- the passion of flying. Cheers

Wow! You are one really determined guy (or gal?? ). So you starting instructing while you were still a PPL holder? And you paid your way through the 150 hrs solo time before qualifying for AFI training?

I'm very similar to you. Also did my degree in Aus, came back and been working for 2 years. Absolutely no interest whatsoever in my job . Always thinking of flying.

What are your plans? Do you intend to continue instructing for long term? Or do you wish to move on to the airlines? Do you know of other Singaporeans who are also instructors in Malaysia or perhaps have moved on to the airlines?

Have you tried applying to any of the Malaysian operators like Air Asia, Berjaya Air or Transmile?

Thanks!

[fhchiang]

ya 9m-...........


if u don't mind the sub-par conditions(as many forumers claim) at transmile... u can jump straight into the right hand seat..

they are recruiting people.. even 200 hours pilots are considered.

1st, once your application is accepted, they will require you to go for a JEt transition training. after the training, if your performance is sastisfactory, you will sign a bond with them for TR and start working.

[9M-]

Originally Posted by demandpump

Wow! You are one really determined guy (or gal?? ). So you starting instructing while you were still a PPL holder? And you paid your way through the 150 hrs solo time before qualifying for AFI training?

I'm very similar to you. Also did my degree in Aus, came back and been working for 2 years. Absolutely no interest whatsoever in my job . Always thinking of flying.

What are your plans? Do you intend to continue instructing for long term? Or do you wish to move on to the airlines? Do you know of other Singaporeans who are also instructors in Malaysia or perhaps have moved on to the airlines?

Have you tried applying to any of the Malaysian operators like Air Asia, Berjaya Air or Transmile?

Thanks!

Yup sponsored myself in the clocking of hours. But its well paid off after one become an instructor. The money will easily be recouped. My plan now is just to instruct. Yup there are a few instructors that i know are from singapore. There are also ex singapore air force pilot teaching as well.

[zelin]

Thanks demandpump and once again, 9M for the info!
9M, u mentioned in one of your previous post that flying clubs in malaysia pay instructors mostly on a commission basis...if that's so, how is it "well paid off after one become an instructor"? esp after all that vast amt spent to clock all the hours needed... *gulpz*

[9M-]

Originally Posted by zelin

Thanks demandpump and once again, 9M for the info!
9M, u mentioned in one of your previous post that flying clubs in malaysia pay instructors mostly on a commission basis...if that's so, how is it "well paid off after one become an instructor"? esp after all that vast amt spent to clock all the hours needed... *gulpz*

Good point u have there zelin. If u think in terms of how much money u take back then it is not that good. If u think in terms of flying hours u earn, then thats alot. Imagine clocking your own hours to 500 how much will that be? 500 x rm340 = rm170000 or sgd $77000.

Now imagine being an instructor u dont have to pay for the hours and $77000 is your pay for about 6 months meaning u earn $77000/6 = $12800 per month. Wow isnt that the pay of Airline captain? heh

[zelin]

Aah i see...sounds quite good, and you get to impart your knowledge as well as share your passion with others
Well, but there's always bound to be commitments in life that one'll need the physical vitamin M for...heh...(i'm thinking practical)
Just curious to know...how many hours do you typically clock in a mth?

[cruisercruiser]

Originally Posted by 9M-

Good point u have there zelin. If u think in terms of how much money u take back then it is not that good. If u think in terms of flying hours u earn, then thats alot. Imagine clocking your own hours to 500 how much will that be? 500 x rm340 = rm170000 or sgd $77000.

Now imagine being an instructor u dont have to pay for the hours and $77000 is your pay for about 6 months meaning u earn $77000/6 = $12800 per month. Wow isnt that the pay of Airline captain? heh

Hi 9M-,

Seems like a great way to clock hours without having to burn a huge hole in the pocket. A few questions:

When you are officially an instructor with the flying club you are currently with, is it still legal to take up miscellaneous jobs like charter flying or other bush flying?

Do people usually "buy" their hours to attain the minimum required for, say a regional, in the event they are not able to get a job as an instructor ? From the way you calculated, it seems like a huge amount to pay from one's own pocket!

Cheers

[9M-]

Originally Posted by zelin

Aah i see...sounds quite good, and you get to impart your knowledge as well as share your passion with others
Well, but there's always bound to be commitments in life that one'll need the physical vitamin M for...heh...(i'm thinking practical)
Just curious to know...how many hours do you typically clock in a mth?

Well actually if u really want to be a fulltime instructor say u work 6 day/wk and from 8am- 6pm, you can clock about 80 hours a month easily. Commission is about rm50/hr so 80 x 50 = rm4000. Thats quite a good pay i must say. One thing bad is if it rains = no money. Other than that its quite good.

[9M-]

Originally Posted by cruisercruiser

Hi 9M-,

Seems like a great way to clock hours without having to burn a huge hole in the pocket. A few questions:

When you are officially an instructor with the flying club you are currently with, is it still legal to take up miscellaneous jobs like charter flying or other bush flying?

Do people usually "buy" their hours to attain the minimum required for, say a regional, in the event they are not able to get a job as an instructor ? From the way you calculated, it seems like a huge amount to pay from one's own pocket!

Cheers

Well not much charter flying for light aircraft in malaysia from what i know. Bush flying erm also not much that i can think of. Maybe in australia u have more of that. Well it is legal to fly for other company as long as u tie down with the flying clubs u r working for.

Well depends on what u want. U can buy the hours and burn a hugh hole in your pocket and clock 1500hrs then go into an airline. But is it really worth the money ? What if u dont get into an airline? what r u going to do ? Actually i only got a few advise for people who are interested in a career in flying.

1) Try to get into the SIA cadet pilot scheme.
2) Join Airforce
3) If unable to, (Very RICH) Go to Massey Uni and get the degree + License
4) (Not Very Rich) Be an Instructor and slowly build up your hours then go for license upgrade.
5) (Very Poor) Find a job work for few years and earn enough money then be an instructor.

The above 5 ways are the only route for singaporeans that i can think of since 4 years ago till now for prospective pilot wanabee. good luck !

[cruisercruiser]

Originally Posted by 9M-

Well not much charter flying for light aircraft in malaysia from what i know. Bush flying erm also not much that i can think of. Maybe in australia u have more of that. Well it is legal to fly for other company as long as u tie down with the flying clubs u r working for.

Well depends on what u want. U can buy the hours and burn a hugh hole in your pocket and clock 1500hrs then go into an airline. But is it really worth the money ? What if u dont get into an airline? what r u going to do ? Actually i only got a few advise for people who are interested in a career in flying.

1) Try to get into the SIA cadet pilot scheme.
2) Join Airforce
3) If unable to, (Very RICH) Go to Massey Uni and get the degree + License
4) (Not Very Rich) Be an Instructor and slowly build up your hours then go for license upgrade.
5) (Very Poor) Find a job work for few years and earn enough money then be an instructor.

The above 5 ways are the only route for singaporeans that i can think of since 4 years ago till now for prospective pilot wanabee. good luck !

Thanks again 9M-, this thread's been very informative so far thanks to you more experienced guys. I've tried the first 2 options and is too poor to go for 3). I think 4) is already out of question since you guys have mentioned that Malaysia DCA rules are soon to change to stop instructor-rated PPL holders from instructing.

Currently in the process of doing 5).

Well...another far-fetched option: Get a wife/husband of another nationality (UAE, Hong Konger, Malaysian etc) convert nationality and apply for the respective airlines! Sounds absurd but read from another thread in pprune that a foreigner with a singaporean wife is trying to get his PRship to apply for SQ.

Great info shared to date!

[PaTriotEeK]

Hello everyone, I'm one of those who failed the final interview for SIA's cpp. Like everyone here, I am passionate about flying and currently in the process of attaining my ME/CIR and Atpls in Australia. I must say, this is a risky journey to take, I know that by getting all these licenses won't guarentee me a job. I believe that if I or anyone else keep chugging at it, we will get there. I'm currently working odd jobs in Australia just to fund my flying, it's tough, I don't even have a permanent place to stay. Anyway, it's good to see that there's a post for us self-sponsored guys, for those of you who's made it, well done, am very happy for you guys. Anyway, I would like to ask about being an instructor in malaysia, would they accept someone with a foreign instructor rating? I think I'd better stop here before Thermal Image blasts me again...would love to hear from you guys out there..

[9M-]

Originally Posted by PaTriotEeK

Hello everyone, I'm one of those who failed the final interview for SIA's cpp. Like everyone here, I am passionate about flying and currently in the process of attaining my ME/CIR and Atpls in Australia. I must say, this is a risky journey to take, I know that by getting all these licenses won't guarentee me a job. I believe that if I or anyone else keep chugging at it, we will get there. I'm currently working odd jobs in Australia just to fund my flying, it's tough, I don't even have a permanent place to stay. Anyway, it's good to see that there's a post for us self-sponsored guys, for those of you who's made it, well done, am very happy for you guys. Anyway, I would like to ask about being an instructor in malaysia, would they accept someone with a foreign instructor rating? I think I'd better stop here before Thermal Image blasts me again...would love to hear from you guys out there..

Well if you are thinking of getting instructor rating in aus then come back to malaysia to teach i would suggest not doing that as u will still need to do a flight test here in malaysia if u want to convert. DCA works on a case by case system so u will still need to get permissions from them. Try to teach in aus? better pay i would say. Anyway where do u fly in aus? i flew in archerfield brisbane last time

[PaTriotEeK]

Hiho niner mike, thanks for replying, btw im new here. Anyway, thanks for the advice, really appreciate it. Im currently doing it at parafield, adelaide, quite good weather there, winter's coming, so would be good for ifr training. From what I read on the previous posts, you did your ppl there and went to malaysia after that? your route sounds better aye! I would love to work in Malaysia, probably you could have some insights about it? I emailed DCAM last month about conversion of my license to a Malaysian one and they approved of it, only if I underwent my training with MFA. I weighed in the costs and decided to go back to australia instead. Glad to hear you are doing well in Malaysia. You go Bro!

[Majulah]

Originally Posted by cruisercruiser

Well...another far-fetched option: Get a wife/husband of another nationality (UAE, Hong Konger, Malaysian etc) convert nationality and apply for the respective airlines! Sounds absurd but read from another thread in pprune that a foreigner with a singaporean wife is trying to get his PRship to apply for SQ.

doublecruiser,

that foreigner is me. and i did not get a singaporean wife to join SQ. i will try to join SQ because i have a singaporean wife. nuance. when i first was sent to SIN for work i didnt want to go there. it all happened by coincidence.

good luck to everyone!

[Thermal Image]

Originally Posted by Majulah

doublecruiser,

that foreigner is me. and i did not get a singaporean wife to join SQ. i will try to join SQ because i have a singaporean wife. nuance. when i first was sent to SIN for work i didnt want to go there. it all happened by coincidence.

good luck to everyone!

I don't think he meant that you were scheming or crafty.

The facts in the sequence and timing of events will prove that what you did and are doing, are not part of a convenient plan to slide into SIA by dishonourable means.

[cruisercruiser]

Originally Posted by Majulah

doublecruiser,

that foreigner is me. and i did not get a singaporean wife to join SQ. i will try to join SQ because i have a singaporean wife. nuance. when i first was sent to SIN for work i didnt want to go there. it all happened by coincidence.

good luck to everyone!

Hi Majulah,

Sincere apologies if I had sounded offensive. In no way was I trying to imply that you married your wife because of any other agenda.

You might have read that I have been exploring as many options as I could to help myself and others who are unfortunate, or deemed not good enough to join SIA, to work ourselves up from scratch. It so happened that I recalled your post and the possibility came to my mind.

Allow me to ask you to share your path to success in this thread? I am aware that you hold a JAA ATPL with 1500 hours. Which flying school in europe did you train in? How did you manage to clock your hours?

I learnt from a brit friend currently training in Spain that his fees will amount to about 60,000 pounds excluding living expenses. He had to take a loan from HSBC by mortgaging his family's house. I have spoken to several flying instructors in Derby and all told me flying training in the UK is one of the most expensive in the world!

Any comments welcome!

By the way thanks Thermal Image!

Cheers,

cruiser

[MasterD]

The Uk is the most expensive place 2 train i am looking to learn to fly in Malaysia or Singapore i have been working hard to save the money and finally after 3 years of workin 7 days a week i can start looking for places to learn