Singaporean self-sponsored CPL holders - where are you?
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Singaporean with CASA license/ with at least 1000hrs
Hi guys, as stated in the subject title, if desired please PM me for a chat. Do note im not an agent or anything along those lines, just a fellow singaporean willing to help another fellow singaporean. Thanks
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congrats Cptwizard! envy!
I too stumbled and probably too late in the game as age is catching up.
In 2009 I also pm-ed sonic69/cruiser/dream747/etc about self-sponsoring route. It is tough and risky because that time, only SFC was running this private occasionally and the 9v carriers jobs were limiting to SQ and MI while TR and 3K was only starting. I think I did applied to SFC privately but was not called up in 2009/2010. Along the way when budget airlines started to have cadetship, from 2010 - 2014, tried CAE 3k, CTC 3k, SFC TR, closest I got is CTC 3k airline interview. Then in June 2014 I tried SFC private and was offered place, but due to some family/financial issue I postponed the plan. In these years, I saw some friends who made it in CAE 3k, SFC TR, STAA private, some stumbled, some still pressing on...
I too stumbled and probably too late in the game as age is catching up.
In 2009 I also pm-ed sonic69/cruiser/dream747/etc about self-sponsoring route. It is tough and risky because that time, only SFC was running this private occasionally and the 9v carriers jobs were limiting to SQ and MI while TR and 3K was only starting. I think I did applied to SFC privately but was not called up in 2009/2010. Along the way when budget airlines started to have cadetship, from 2010 - 2014, tried CAE 3k, CTC 3k, SFC TR, closest I got is CTC 3k airline interview. Then in June 2014 I tried SFC private and was offered place, but due to some family/financial issue I postponed the plan. In these years, I saw some friends who made it in CAE 3k, SFC TR, STAA private, some stumbled, some still pressing on...
Last edited by sgcloudchaser; 30th Nov 2015 at 18:04.
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well assuming good economic conditions, and with the 80+ hours per month they mentioned, should take about 6 years from FO to command, or 8 years if I include my time in SFC lol.. I'll be 30 when my course commence.. but there are 21 year olds (air force drop outs) who were telling me things like "ahhh i'll be 28 by the time I gain command"
Hai.. some people really are lucky..
Hai.. some people really are lucky..
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doesn't matter the age, at least there's a shot u can take
and don't ever take captaincy for granted.. some ended up only good enough for the RHS, forever.
and don't ever take captaincy for granted.. some ended up only good enough for the RHS, forever.
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Greetings neighbor Singaporeans. Very new to this forum and happened to stumble upon this thread.
I got a lot to ask but for now I'm just gonna make it quick and simple.
What are the odds currently for a person to be a pilot via the self funded route? I have a very very vague plan for now (gotta start some where, I guess)
Right now, I just graduated with a degree in science and I plan to work for 5 years as a way to build up my resume/CV and save up money for flying school. So, I'll be 30 when the time comes but would it be too late by then??
I got a lot to ask but for now I'm just gonna make it quick and simple.
What are the odds currently for a person to be a pilot via the self funded route? I have a very very vague plan for now (gotta start some where, I guess)
Right now, I just graduated with a degree in science and I plan to work for 5 years as a way to build up my resume/CV and save up money for flying school. So, I'll be 30 when the time comes but would it be too late by then??
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Originally Posted by kiyane; 27th Dec 2015 23:05
Greetings neighbor Singaporeans. Very new to this forum and happened to stumble upon this thread.
I got a lot to ask but for now I'm just gonna make it quick and simple.
What are the odds currently for a person to be a pilot via the self funded route? I have a very very vague plan for now (gotta start some where, I guess)
Right now, I just graduated with a degree in science and I plan to work for 5 years as a way to build up my resume/CV and save up money for flying school. So, I'll be 30 when the time comes but would it be too late by then??
I got a lot to ask but for now I'm just gonna make it quick and simple.
What are the odds currently for a person to be a pilot via the self funded route? I have a very very vague plan for now (gotta start some where, I guess)
Right now, I just graduated with a degree in science and I plan to work for 5 years as a way to build up my resume/CV and save up money for flying school. So, I'll be 30 when the time comes but would it be too late by then??
Originally Posted by kiyane; 27th Dec 2015 23:09
oh, one more thing. Say I found a way to build my flight hours till 1000, would that significantly increase my acceptance rate by the airline companies?
I read your two posts very carefully. Looks like you are a Malaysian! If you are a Singaporean, the answer will be totally different from I am going to write.
For Malaysian Citizens getting into their local aviation industry (piloting career) is so much better than Singaporeans, Hong Kees and etc.
My advice (in your case as a Malaysian), the prospectus in getting piloting employment in Malaysia is so much better Singapore. In particularly, piloting jobs (including to ab-inito and/or 2FO) in Malaysia are strictly reserved for Malaysian Citizens only.
For your case only (based on what you've written), even if you do not have 1000hours, but with a MDCA Airman license, you will still stand a chance to be employed in any of your local air operators.
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Local Employment
Originally Posted by sgcloudchaser; 27th Nov 2015 00:10
Then in June 2014 I tried SFC private and was offered place, but due to some family/financial issue I postponed the plan.
SFC is not doing well for these years. Their major "client", SIA has surplus of pilots!
SFC @ Seletar is closing. Shifting everything to Australia.
Believe me or not, local air-operators in Singapore is not doing well in Year 2015. Year 2016, the local aviation industry is in s-l-o-w progess.
Originally Posted by sgcloudchaser; 27th Nov 2015 00:10
In these years, I saw some friends who made it in CAE 3k, SFC TR, STAA private, some stumbled, some still pressing on...
I have seen too much forum posts (such as encouragement and false hope) and day-dreamers getting into local air-operators. Writing "big-canon-fairy" posts.
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hey man, thanks for the reply. So how are you doing right now?? Manage to get that job you so wanted??
And as for Malaysia being easier in the pilot scene, I don't think it's true for a private candidate as one of my friend's friend had it hard. He had to clock in his hours before getting accepted by AirAsia. Heard spent close to a million ringgit just to do so, well he's rich after all.
Currently 25 years old and maybe in 3 years time, AirAsia will open up their cadet programme which I could give it a shot. Do you know anything about cadet programme in general? Like would it significantly increase your chances if you had a lot of additional skills like language, outdoor activities and achievements?
And as for Malaysia being easier in the pilot scene, I don't think it's true for a private candidate as one of my friend's friend had it hard. He had to clock in his hours before getting accepted by AirAsia. Heard spent close to a million ringgit just to do so, well he's rich after all.
Currently 25 years old and maybe in 3 years time, AirAsia will open up their cadet programme which I could give it a shot. Do you know anything about cadet programme in general? Like would it significantly increase your chances if you had a lot of additional skills like language, outdoor activities and achievements?
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What you need to do is register with CAAS and write all 14 CAAS ATPL exams. Only once you've passed all your papers can local airlines accept you. Without writing the CAAS papers you do not meet the requirements to fly for local airlines.
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You need to check with CAAS on whether they will allow you to convert your FAA licence after writing all 14 CAAS ATPL papers. I don't think there's a need to convert your FAA to EASA then to CAAS. If they allow, you just need to register for writing the CAAS papers. Whether you need to sign up for ATPL Ground School depends on how much help you need. If you think you're ok with your theoretical knowledge, then perhaps what you need to do is to download the CAAS ATPL Learning Objectives (http://www.caas.gov.sg/caasWeb2010/e...for_Pilots.pdf), get a set of books (CAAS recommends CAE Oxford Aviation Academy ATPL Books), and study on your own. If you need further help then you can contact either SFC or STAA for their ATPL courses.
Don't jump into it until you get something concrete from CAAS on what they want you to do to have your FAA converted.
Don't jump into it until you get something concrete from CAAS on what they want you to do to have your FAA converted.
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CAAS + Foreign Licensing + Jobs
This post is specially for MightyBoo only. It's for him to read carefully.
Issue 1
1. Why not ask your Thai wife who can help you to gain aviation employment-stay in Thailand. So easy. Oops...
2. You thanked the wrong person. I think he is familiar with CASA regs.
To answer you, if I can still recall, before sitting for the CAAS ATPL papers, you will need a sponsor letter first. Full-stop.
Just like registration for FAA airman knowledge test, a student needs to be sign off in black-&-white by CFI before he is allowed to sit for the exam. You should know MDCA regs better than me when a student needs the club's/school's letter for any theory exam registration in Putrajaya. CAAS is no difference too! Understand?
Issue 2
You may get the MDCA license (frozen ATPL). Yes, with full MDCA ME+IR. After you got the license, inside the blue book, you will have a red-chop. That red-chop is an employment restriction in Malaysia only. BUT, there is way to lift it up, if you want to work in Malaysia aviation field. In the past, there was a Singaporean Indian-Muslim did it! He was an FI like you in Malaysia. Last known, he is flying for a private air-operator in Malaysia. Anyway, I do not think working in Malaysia interest you anymore. Right?
If a Singaporean (like you) with that the blue-book (do not show your FAA license), and over 700hours is magic. If any Singapore air-operator employs you, there's no sweat in conversion as the conversion term is "different". It does not clearly spelt out in CAAS SASP. Even if you ask the CAAS licensing office, they knew nothing about it. Probably the old timers who worked for the CAAS SP&L should know. Sorry, I cannot reveal what things are different.
Please note:
1. CAAS and another two foreign aviation authorities' licenses are "inter-exchangeable" (one of them is Malaysian DCA license). Many people do not know about it. Lots of information has been posted before. Use the mightly PPRuNe's search engine.
2. Do you know the relationship between Dato' Yahaya and CAAS? Jump down from MBS tower, if you don't know who is Dato' Yahaya. :-)
Issue 3
Did you know CAAS SASP "terms for licensing conversion" revised a few times? In the past (back 5-10 years ago), CAAS SASP for licensing conversion is totally mission impossible.
Do you know you (as a Singaporean) can literally "force" the CAAS to revise SASP Part 2 (Licensing Conversion)? There is a way to do it and it is legal and some people gone through it. This benefits for themselves and good for others. I will share only if you are interested.
Issue 4
To work in aviation industry, you must have a good network! Because, you don't know when you'll need them. Particularly, in the Asia, networking is a must. You can't afford to offend anybody. You have worked in Malaysia as an FI and you should know. I wonder, during your time in Malaysia, did you have a good network?
There are Singaporeans who are low-timer/non-jet experience working in the airlines overseas. I have heard Singaporeans working for airlines regionally in HK, Indonesia, Cambodia, China and etc.
Did you know that there are hundreds and thousands of pilot advertisements written in Chinese?! Search for it! The Hong Kees (low-timers) pilots are smart and got the job quickly because they understand Chinese advertisement well. There are many jobs available in China, many people rely too much on "Enggrish" pilot-job search engine.
Speaking Mandarin is not good enough, reading Chinese is equally important. Writing in (by email) to these Chinese airline does not work. Resume/CV written in super Queen's English gets you to nowhere. These are the silly mistakes that applicants made.
Applicant needs to call and speak to them (HR/Airlines) in Mandarin politely. Don't be stingy, please make the trunk call. It is inexpensive to get an international card in Singapore. By the way, many Chinese airline organisations' Directors are using WeChat! Please learn to use WeChat/QQ. People (working in HR/Flight Ops/Senior Management) like to see what sort of person you are through WeChat posts. Remember, facebook/twitter is useless in China.
Applicants who are Chinese and understand Chinese, do not need job agents. Apply directly to the airline without paying one. It is a long route but you get direct answer/latest news from Airline HR without going through 3rd party. Pilot recruitment agencies are out to suck money from desperate pilots.
Please do not day-dream, seeking interview through phones and it will not work. The tele-conversation and face-to-face meeting makes a big difference. In many cases, applicants need to fly to China (out of own pocket money) and talk to them personally. It is cold knocking but this is a very traditional way of Chinese culture (it shows your sincerity) of applying for job. The Chinese HR often wants to see whether the applicant is really black hair Chinese or not.
I believe Singaporean/Malaysian Chinese pilots can do it. Stop relying nonsense and depending the information in English forums.
Issue 1
1. Why not ask your Thai wife who can help you to gain aviation employment-stay in Thailand. So easy. Oops...
2. You thanked the wrong person. I think he is familiar with CASA regs.
To answer you, if I can still recall, before sitting for the CAAS ATPL papers, you will need a sponsor letter first. Full-stop.
Just like registration for FAA airman knowledge test, a student needs to be sign off in black-&-white by CFI before he is allowed to sit for the exam. You should know MDCA regs better than me when a student needs the club's/school's letter for any theory exam registration in Putrajaya. CAAS is no difference too! Understand?
Issue 2
You may get the MDCA license (frozen ATPL). Yes, with full MDCA ME+IR. After you got the license, inside the blue book, you will have a red-chop. That red-chop is an employment restriction in Malaysia only. BUT, there is way to lift it up, if you want to work in Malaysia aviation field. In the past, there was a Singaporean Indian-Muslim did it! He was an FI like you in Malaysia. Last known, he is flying for a private air-operator in Malaysia. Anyway, I do not think working in Malaysia interest you anymore. Right?
If a Singaporean (like you) with that the blue-book (do not show your FAA license), and over 700hours is magic. If any Singapore air-operator employs you, there's no sweat in conversion as the conversion term is "different". It does not clearly spelt out in CAAS SASP. Even if you ask the CAAS licensing office, they knew nothing about it. Probably the old timers who worked for the CAAS SP&L should know. Sorry, I cannot reveal what things are different.
Please note:
1. CAAS and another two foreign aviation authorities' licenses are "inter-exchangeable" (one of them is Malaysian DCA license). Many people do not know about it. Lots of information has been posted before. Use the mightly PPRuNe's search engine.
2. Do you know the relationship between Dato' Yahaya and CAAS? Jump down from MBS tower, if you don't know who is Dato' Yahaya. :-)
Issue 3
Did you know CAAS SASP "terms for licensing conversion" revised a few times? In the past (back 5-10 years ago), CAAS SASP for licensing conversion is totally mission impossible.
Do you know you (as a Singaporean) can literally "force" the CAAS to revise SASP Part 2 (Licensing Conversion)? There is a way to do it and it is legal and some people gone through it. This benefits for themselves and good for others. I will share only if you are interested.
Issue 4
To work in aviation industry, you must have a good network! Because, you don't know when you'll need them. Particularly, in the Asia, networking is a must. You can't afford to offend anybody. You have worked in Malaysia as an FI and you should know. I wonder, during your time in Malaysia, did you have a good network?
There are Singaporeans who are low-timer/non-jet experience working in the airlines overseas. I have heard Singaporeans working for airlines regionally in HK, Indonesia, Cambodia, China and etc.
Did you know that there are hundreds and thousands of pilot advertisements written in Chinese?! Search for it! The Hong Kees (low-timers) pilots are smart and got the job quickly because they understand Chinese advertisement well. There are many jobs available in China, many people rely too much on "Enggrish" pilot-job search engine.
Speaking Mandarin is not good enough, reading Chinese is equally important. Writing in (by email) to these Chinese airline does not work. Resume/CV written in super Queen's English gets you to nowhere. These are the silly mistakes that applicants made.
Applicant needs to call and speak to them (HR/Airlines) in Mandarin politely. Don't be stingy, please make the trunk call. It is inexpensive to get an international card in Singapore. By the way, many Chinese airline organisations' Directors are using WeChat! Please learn to use WeChat/QQ. People (working in HR/Flight Ops/Senior Management) like to see what sort of person you are through WeChat posts. Remember, facebook/twitter is useless in China.
Applicants who are Chinese and understand Chinese, do not need job agents. Apply directly to the airline without paying one. It is a long route but you get direct answer/latest news from Airline HR without going through 3rd party. Pilot recruitment agencies are out to suck money from desperate pilots.
Please do not day-dream, seeking interview through phones and it will not work. The tele-conversation and face-to-face meeting makes a big difference. In many cases, applicants need to fly to China (out of own pocket money) and talk to them personally. It is cold knocking but this is a very traditional way of Chinese culture (it shows your sincerity) of applying for job. The Chinese HR often wants to see whether the applicant is really black hair Chinese or not.
I believe Singaporean/Malaysian Chinese pilots can do it. Stop relying nonsense and depending the information in English forums.
Last edited by Droste; 4th Apr 2016 at 10:36.
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Is the school even recognized by CAAS? Previously you could not just go and attempt the 14 exam subjects unless you were with a RECOGNISED FTO, they won't allow you to just turn up and sit for the exam. Maybe things are different now, but in my time if you failed a subject after a certain amount of attempts you were banned for a period of time.
Anyway Jason, I still highly recommend you at least try SQ's cadet program. The private path is a bad idea now. There were some success stories in the past, but it's 2016 now and things are very different now.
Anyway Jason, I still highly recommend you at least try SQ's cadet program. The private path is a bad idea now. There were some success stories in the past, but it's 2016 now and things are very different now.