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Singaporean self-sponsored CPL holders - where are you?

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Old 6th Aug 2006, 07:36
  #141 (permalink)  
 
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Hi CC,

THis is what i know.

1) 5yrs is a unwritten understanding between SFC and SIA. It depends on insrtuctor availablility at SFC before they release. So do add a big +/- sign before the 5yrs.

2) not sure about the bond. But for normal stream cadets, its 18k for Singaporeans and 36k for non-sin.
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Old 6th Aug 2006, 11:25
  #142 (permalink)  
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Well if you guys noticed, there was an advertisment 6 months back looking for cadet pilot to join them as instructor and it was stated clearly of the 5 year bond after the training. Do not think you have to pay anything. Starting pay about 2-3k.

Rencently they advertised again looking for experience pilot to join them as direct entry instructor and so the 5 years bond was not stated which make sense since they dont pay anything for your training. Well from what i see if you have the youth to burn, this is indeed a good way to at least obtain your cpl/ir frozrn atpl without pawning your house. Cheers!
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Old 6th Aug 2006, 17:03
  #143 (permalink)  
 
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This is my first post. I would really like to say gd luck to all aspiring pilots!

Thanks 9M for sharing your experiences too. Seems like u didn't have it easy at all and still persevering. Gd to hear that u r coping fine at some M'sian flying club.

It's also heartening to hear that M'sia are receptive to S'poreans pilot wannabes and that instructors are in demand.

If all goes well, I shd be enrolling in Asia-Pacific Flight Training (APFT) in Sep/Oct 2006. Met up with the chief recruiter Maj (Ret) Ibrahim and asked a number of qns.

He mentioned that out of 9 instructors in AFPT, 4 are S'poreans. (Encouraging!)

APFT does not have AFI course now but will implement it and will even award scholarships to promising students but with bond attached.

APFT has just signed an agreement with AirAsia and students will receive priority for interviews upon graduation. Well, whether they pass the inteview is another matter.

I did ask him if fresh graduates of the academy may be employed right away by other major airlines, he said, "Why not?" Well, based on my info from this thread, he sounded a little too optimistic?

9M, you don't intend to instruct forever, do you? Care to share your long -term dreams? For me, I obtained funding thru own savings and money from a close family member. Parents do not support at all. Very very discouraging but I'm still determined to make it. Do you think it's risky on my part? I really hope to be an airline pilot someday or any pilot who earns gd money.
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Old 7th Aug 2006, 15:03
  #144 (permalink)  
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Originally Posted by HenC
This is my first post. I would really like to say gd luck to all aspiring pilots!

Thanks 9M for sharing your experiences too. Seems like u didn't have it easy at all and still persevering. Gd to hear that u r coping fine at some M'sian flying club.

It's also heartening to hear that M'sia are receptive to S'poreans pilot wannabes and that instructors are in demand.

If all goes well, I shd be enrolling in Asia-Pacific Flight Training (APFT) in Sep/Oct 2006. Met up with the chief recruiter Maj (Ret) Ibrahim and asked a number of qns.

He mentioned that out of 9 instructors in AFPT, 4 are S'poreans. (Encouraging!)

APFT does not have AFI course now but will implement it and will even award scholarships to promising students but with bond attached.

APFT has just signed an agreement with AirAsia and students will receive priority for interviews upon graduation. Well, whether they pass the inteview is another matter.

I did ask him if fresh graduates of the academy may be employed right away by other major airlines, he said, "Why not?" Well, based on my info from this thread, he sounded a little too optimistic?

9M, you don't intend to instruct forever, do you? Care to share your long -term dreams? For me, I obtained funding thru own savings and money from a close family member. Parents do not support at all. Very very discouraging but I'm still determined to make it. Do you think it's risky on my part? I really hope to be an airline pilot someday or any pilot who earns gd money.
Hi Henc,
Well if you could afford the training then by all means go for your dream. But if the saving is all that you have and after training you will not survive if you cannot find an airline job then i would suggest you consider the option first. There are so many cadet applicants around malaysia and singapore. For direct entry pilots with low hours and experience, you really wont look good with the airlines. I have friends with many hours, got all the required licenses but still no airline employment. So please look at the world in a more realistic perpective.

I always tell aspirant pilots this simple sentence, if you really want to self fund your training, then NEVER ever think you will definitely make it into the airlines. Take that as a dream only and be positive that even being a flying instructor is also a good job. With this kind of mindset, then anything good that comes your way will be a bonus. If you cant adapt that mentality , then i would say dont go for the training unless u r super rich

For me i am happy to be a flying instructor all my life. Going into the airlines if possible will be a bonus in my life. I really do not know why everyone must think of the airlines as something big and important. If a person loves to be in the air, flying a 152 and a 747, a 152 is more fun ! Cheers!
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Old 8th Aug 2006, 03:30
  #145 (permalink)  
 
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Yeh, agree totally. (The part where if we self-fund ourselves, getting even a flying instructor job would be gd enough, with the airline a bonus.)

May I ask, besides the 3 major flying schs which offer basic + comm, any other flying clubs offer that too?

I have read in aviation magazines that the current passenger air travel volume grows by about 5% worldwide annually, esp in Asia and cargo traffic is expected to triple in 20 years. China's and India's citizens are also getting richer, air travel should be booming tremendously and a lot of LCCs would be set up along the way. Even India has a new LCC called Kingfisher Airlines. Macau is also looking at a new LCC to tap into China. Moreover, with competition from them, mainstream airlines would also lower their airfares and travel as a whole would become more and more affordable for the masses.

When the aviation industry for travel finally took flight in the 60s and 70s, thousands of pilot wannabes joined the trade. Today, these are the very people who are retiring at 60 years old.

With all these factors, why are there so many unemployed CPL/IRs in M'sia? (unless they only wanna work in M'sia)

When I enter APFT, I'm determined to go and know people. Wanna make sure that I secure a job before I graduate!
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Old 8th Aug 2006, 04:28
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One more thing pple, I juts read in an Agence France-Presse (AFP) report today that China's Shenzhen airlines has hired 40 Brazillian pilots. Previously, they were not opened to foreigners, now they have no choice. Their national civil aviation academy can only churn out a max of 600 pilots per year. Industry analysts predict that going by the number of aircraft China's airlines have ordered, another 1,600 pilots are needed each year..

Yes, it's true that airlines are not too keen on pilots with low hours but with this demand and shortage, one never knows.

Even if cadet pilots can only start out as an instructor, it's fine too! But no on'e gonna stop you if u aspire to be an airline pilot eventually, provided you look beyond Msia and S'pore that is. Gd luck!!!
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Old 9th Aug 2006, 14:18
  #147 (permalink)  
 
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hmm...but like previously described, being an instructor means spending 5yrs in a c152. i thought many airlines require X hrs on jet/large turboprop not to mention ATPL.
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Old 10th Aug 2006, 03:34
  #148 (permalink)  
 
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Sorry if I'm a little off topic here, but I have a few questions to ask,

I'm Malaysian and I have an aussie fATPL and CPL/IR. I would like to know which school is best to convert my licence? I've heard that MFA is quite badly run and disorganised now, has anyone gone to HMA or APFT? They do not seem too keen on taking in private candidates for conversion although I'd like to convert mine at either of these 2 schools.. Has anyone done their conversion in Malaysia? If so, could you please let me know how you went about it? I've got the letter from DCA stating that I'm eligible to convert my licence already and I called up the schools, so far APFT asked me to contact them again in Oct, HMA hasnt gotten back to me yet and MFA says I have to go down personally to see the principal.

Pls help!

Thanks!
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Old 25th Aug 2006, 02:44
  #149 (permalink)  
 
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SFC?

Hi I am pretty new here, and under "Pilot wannabe" classification. To all you guys out there who have been through so much to fufill and chase your dreams, you have my total respect. I am currently searching for a suitable way to become an airline pilot and after reading through this thread, I have been very enlightened. Thanks for all the info and feedback. FYI I am only a 20 year old awaiting NS.

I have actually stumbled upon the SFC (Singapore flying college) website and they have stated that they accept private students. I just called them and a lady told me I could enrol for the course which is 1.5 years long, around $130K SGD including accomodation, and after which you would attain frozen ATPL, IR recognised by CAAS. She says I would actually be training with the SIA boys if I were to enrol. She told me that upon completion of the course I would need to find a sponsor to attain type ratings, most probably an airline.

Anyway, what do you guys think? I think it's cheaper than going to Massey, plus it's shorter. Yeah I am the lucky ones where Dad wants to help.

Last edited by Yantz; 25th Aug 2006 at 03:02.
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Old 28th Aug 2006, 09:37
  #150 (permalink)  
 
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Why don't you serve ur NS and try to sign on as a pilot?

Enrolling at SFC will not get u a deferment....you will still have to do your NS first.

Then u can try SIA cadetship after that. Of if not, it is alright to try MFA, APFT or HMA in M'sia. They offer ICAO standard CPLs at S$85,000, including accomodation. Still much cheaper than SFC.
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Old 28th Aug 2006, 12:46
  #151 (permalink)  
 
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I see thanks for all the help. I will enquire more on the MFA option after much recommendation by various forumers. So would taking CPL in Australia be totally out of the question? And I heard MFA is fully booked? A fellow forumer told me to make a reservation now 2 years in advance to ensure a place, wonder if that's possible...
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Old 28th Aug 2006, 13:28
  #152 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Yantz
I see thanks for all the help. I will enquire more on the MFA option after much recommendation by various forumers. So would taking CPL in Australia be totally out of the question? And I heard MFA is fully booked? A fellow forumer told me to make a reservation now 2 years in advance to ensure a place, wonder if that's possible...
Well, from what i know from this forum, it's hard to convert an Aust CPL to a S'pore one (if u only want to fly in S'pore, that is). U may want to find out more.

MFA is fully booked....waiting list is about a hundred long. APFT is also building up it's backlog of applicants. Since u r serving ur NS soon, u may want to enrol in those schools now and then when u ORD, u will get ur place. But the best option is always to learn free of charge.....ie RSAF or SIA cadetship.
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Old 29th Aug 2006, 02:16
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Originally Posted by HenC
Well, from what i know from this forum, it's hard to convert an Aust CPL to a S'pore one (if u only want to fly in S'pore, that is). U may want to find out more.

MFA is fully booked....waiting list is about a hundred long. APFT is also building up it's backlog of applicants. Since u r serving ur NS soon, u may want to enrol in those schools now and then when u ORD, u will get ur place. But the best option is always to learn free of charge.....ie RSAF or SIA cadetship.
Thanks alot. Can anyone assure me that the training I get in MFA is professional? I have read alot of bad remarks about the academy, which I feel might be just unconstructive remarks. No offence to anyone.

I guess now the main worry for me is to find a job upon graduation in this low-job prospect industry, maybe I will go to South Africa to find a bush flying job if I have to..

Last edited by Yantz; 29th Aug 2006 at 08:06.
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Old 30th Aug 2006, 16:10
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Originally Posted by Yantz

I just called them and a lady told me I could enrol for the course which is 1.5 years long, around $130K SGD including accomodation, and after which you would attain frozen ATPL, IR recognised by CAAS. She says I would actually be training with the SIA boys if I were to enrol. She told me that upon completion of the course I would need to find a sponsor to attain type ratings, most probably an airline.

Anyway, what do you guys think? I think it's cheaper than going to Massey, plus it's shorter. Yeah I am the lucky ones where Dad wants to help.
Looks like you have much better luck than me! The website instructs to call SFC, but when I called, a lady refused to tell me more about the private course. She then told me to send my enquiries to them in an email (??). I asked to speak to an instructor or a manager but was told that no one is available (??)

Well at least now we know they really do offer the private course and more importantly take in Singaporeans!

Cheers!
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Old 30th Aug 2006, 16:26
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[QUOTE=HenC;2761869]
I did ask him if fresh graduates of the academy may be employed right away by other major airlines, he said, "Why not?" Well, based on my info from this thread, he sounded a little too optimistic?

QUOTE]

Hi HenC,

I know from a FO who is flying with EVA now that he got his job soon after he graduated from Massey with very little experience. He did mention that this was a "God sent". He has a taiwanese passport.

It seems like it is still possible but extremely rare. Personally I won't put my hopes too high!

Cheers!
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Old 31st Aug 2006, 02:54
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Originally Posted by cruisercruiser
Looks like you have much better luck than me! The website instructs to call SFC, but when I called, a lady refused to tell me more about the private course. She then told me to send my enquiries to them in an email (??). I asked to speak to an instructor or a manager but was told that no one is available (??)

Well at least now we know they really do offer the private course and more importantly take in Singaporeans!

Cheers!
Yeah I spoke to this lady named Kathy, she is quite nice and told me what I needed to know. Maybe they were busy that time? Anyway yeah they do offer fATPL course for 1.5 years, 130K SGD (Accomodation included), approved by CAAS, you will train with the SIA boys in Seletar and Aus. It's alittle on the high side though, must well go Massey and get a Degree for that price. Hope this helps. For me I should probably be going to MFA to get my fATPL, hope I can get a place.

Last edited by Yantz; 31st Aug 2006 at 03:08.
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Old 31st Aug 2006, 14:41
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[quote=cruisercruiser;2809276]
Originally Posted by HenC
I did ask him if fresh graduates of the academy may be employed right away by other major airlines, he said, "Why not?" Well, based on my info from this thread, he sounded a little too optimistic?

QUOTE]

Hi HenC,

I know from a FO who is flying with EVA now that he got his job soon after he graduated from Massey with very little experience. He did mention that this was a "God sent". He has a taiwanese passport.

It seems like it is still possible but extremely rare. Personally I won't put my hopes too high!

Cheers!
Wow thanks for delivering gd news! I will also try locally once I have graduated but if not, anywhere is fine as long as I get to fly.

What abt prospects over at your side?
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Old 4th Sep 2006, 01:34
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Originally Posted by HenC
Well, from what i know from this forum, it's hard to convert an Aust CPL to a S'pore one (if u only want to fly in S'pore, that is). U may want to find out more.

MFA is fully booked....waiting list is about a hundred long. APFT is also building up it's backlog of applicants. Since u r serving ur NS soon, u may want to enrol in those schools now and then when u ORD, u will get ur place. But the best option is always to learn free of charge.....ie RSAF or SIA cadetship.
I just called MFA and they told me the earliest date I could enter is Nov 2006? I asked them if their waiting list had many people and the Lady told me that was not true. Anyway, hope this is good news for some people. As for me I will put my name down with them for 2008. One thing, do airline companies require/prefer you to be a degree holder when empolyed? (Besides SQ). I am just contemplating if I should study a degree as after passing out of MFA I am still a diploma holder. Any feedback is good thanks.

Last edited by Yantz; 4th Sep 2006 at 01:46.
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Old 4th Sep 2006, 18:30
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[quote=HenC;2811270]
Originally Posted by cruisercruiser

Wow thanks for delivering gd news! I will also try locally once I have graduated but if not, anywhere is fine as long as I get to fly.

What abt prospects over at your side?
Hi HenC,

"Prospects" as in training prospects I think? I've explored flying options in the UK, basically doing it via the modular way and going the integrated way through a flying college. If you look back a few pages in this forum, I've mentioned about fllying training with Oxford and my friend's experience with British Airways CitiExpress (now BA connect, which trains its cadets with Flight Training Europe). All these examples mentioned (work permit, financial burden, license conversion) plus advice from local brit instructors and fellow brothers out here suggest that getting a license in the UK is not a very wise choice.

Well, If there are any plus points at all:I've asked a flying instructor here what sets OAT apart from the rest of the world, he replied a crisp "CONTACTS". This he believed had led many people to train with the school despite having to mortgage houses. I believe he meant contacts with BA.

Well, in short, prospects in the UK is not too bright, speaking from a non-european economic area resident's point of view.

Hmm...comments?

Cheers... "mate". haha...
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Old 5th Sep 2006, 13:09
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Dear Yantz, with a degree, it will surely be helpful at SIA but not guaranteed. It's good to upgrade oneself though.

Dear cruiserX2, I read thru some of your previous posts heh . So what are your plans now? Apply for OAT? It is a world famous school but if you are going to have problems securing a work permit, then perhaps give it a pass? (Foreign football players also have problems getting work permits....look at the EPL lol) It is also very expensive....

I saw u mentioning about MFA in M'sia, why don't you try there? U can always enrol first and by the time u have saved up, it's starting of your course! Why don't u also try APFT in Kota Baru, they have a tie-up with AirAsia and FAXpress.....
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