Guidance from Singapore Pilots?
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Guidance from Singapore Pilots?
Hi all,
err i know this may be a off topic question.curious to ask,are there any Sinaporean pilots in this forum?if there are,can u shed some light on how to become a pilot in singapore?
i'm currently a 16-year-old teenager studying in a nomal secondary school for my 'O's level this year.I have much decided my future career path which is to become a pilot,be it air force or commercial.however through browsing the net for information,i have thought of a plan to try to get my path right.if anyone can provide some information or tips or guidance,that would be the best and i appreciate and thank you very much.below is my plan-->
After my 'O's,i would get into a polytechnic and try to get the aerospace technology course.meanwhile i would try to apply for admission into the Youth Flying Club.
(1)If successful,i would love to get my private flying license there.then when i'm about to serve National Service,i would try to apply for admission to RSAF and if successful i would get sign on and then apply for commercial pilot for SIA after my years with RSAF.
(2)If unsuccessful,i've planned to apply for admission to Flying College and after the training and so on,i will try to apply for a first officer post in SIA.
(3)If unsuccessful,i've planned to applied for cadet pilots in SIA.
hope i can get some guidance or tips as i'm really very interested in flying as its been my dream since young.however i have some medical history which i do not know whether will it affect me in trying to apply for admission in flying school.i have asthma problems when i was below 5 years old and now i have no single problem of it anymore.i have also broke my wrist when i was 12-year-old,however i have no problem with my hand now.would all these affect my plan to the pilots' path?
please shed some lights.thanks very much.
err i know this may be a off topic question.curious to ask,are there any Sinaporean pilots in this forum?if there are,can u shed some light on how to become a pilot in singapore?
i'm currently a 16-year-old teenager studying in a nomal secondary school for my 'O's level this year.I have much decided my future career path which is to become a pilot,be it air force or commercial.however through browsing the net for information,i have thought of a plan to try to get my path right.if anyone can provide some information or tips or guidance,that would be the best and i appreciate and thank you very much.below is my plan-->
After my 'O's,i would get into a polytechnic and try to get the aerospace technology course.meanwhile i would try to apply for admission into the Youth Flying Club.
(1)If successful,i would love to get my private flying license there.then when i'm about to serve National Service,i would try to apply for admission to RSAF and if successful i would get sign on and then apply for commercial pilot for SIA after my years with RSAF.
(2)If unsuccessful,i've planned to apply for admission to Flying College and after the training and so on,i will try to apply for a first officer post in SIA.
(3)If unsuccessful,i've planned to applied for cadet pilots in SIA.
hope i can get some guidance or tips as i'm really very interested in flying as its been my dream since young.however i have some medical history which i do not know whether will it affect me in trying to apply for admission in flying school.i have asthma problems when i was below 5 years old and now i have no single problem of it anymore.i have also broke my wrist when i was 12-year-old,however i have no problem with my hand now.would all these affect my plan to the pilots' path?
please shed some lights.thanks very much.
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There is a phenomenal amount of information you can get off the internet that will provide the answers to your questions. However, the ALPA-S website seems to have the most accurate information. You can visit alpas.org or for ease of reference, I'll just paste the information below. Hope it helps:-
I am keen to be an airline pilot, how can I apply?
Application details and requirements are sometimes available on the website of the various airlines in Singapore. Check them out! Do note that entry requirements vary with the different airline employers.
Reuirements for the issue of a CAAS Professional Pilots Licence can be found in SASP2 (singapore Air Safety Publication 2) located under the regulations section in Civil Aviation Authority Singapore website.
Singapore Airlines Ltd http://www.singaporeair.com
SIA Cargo Pte Ltd http://www.siacargo.com/career.asp
Tiger Airways http://www.tigerairways.com
Singapore Flying College http://www.sfcpl.com
Jetstar Asia http://www.jetstarasia.com
Silk Air http://www.silkair.com
ValuAir http://www.valuair.com.sg/about_valuair/careers.html
Is there a minimum age to be a pilot?
The minimum age is laid down in the requirements for the issue of a professional pilots licence found in SASP2. However Singaporeans who wish to enter the profession as an Airline Pilot will have to be at least 26 years of age at the point of application. This is a restriction imposed on Singaporeans by the Government to ensure the Air Force has its ready pool of applicants amongst our limited talent pool. This does not apply if you are not a Singaporean.
How long does it take for a pilot to be trained?
A cadet pilot undergoes three phases of training over a period of 26 months with a starting pay of S$750.00 which increases commensurate with the phase of training he undergoes. During this time, he trains in Singapore and Western Australia as well as in the state of Queensland, Australia.
However, throughout his career, a pilot continues to undergo a rigorous six-monthly recurrent training session, a six-monthly flight test in a simulator and an annual fight check en route in order to maintain a valid licence to fly. The licence is also based on his passing a six-monthly or an annual thorough medical check-up, depending on age or type of flying licence held.
What sort of flying licence does an SIA pilot need to have?
The basic licence required for an SIA pilot is the Commercial Pilot’s Licence. In addition to the ongoing training mentioned above, a pilot holding this licence has to pass an annual medical examination if he is below 40 years of age, and every six months if he is above 40 years old. To be a Captain, a pilot needs to possess an Air Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL) which is obtained by passing a written examination set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. He also has to acquire the necessary flying hours. An ATPL holder has to undergo a medical examination once every six months.
Is there a minimum age before you can be a pilot with the national carrier SIA?
Singaporeans have to be at least 26 years old before they can start a career with the national carrier. (This policy applies only to Singaporean staff.) As such, many ALPA-S members are mid-career pilots who are often trained in other professions and may even have been practicing in those industries for several years before making the switch.
Among ALPA-S members are former bankers, doctors, lawyers, IT professionals, engineers, administrators, economists, marketing executives, etc who have made the career change for the love of the flying. While they come from all walks of life, it is their overriding passion and love for their job that keeps them flying the national carrier. Most of them remain career pilots.
How long does it take to become a Captain?
To reach the rank of Captain takes on average 10 years, clocking over 4,700 hours of flying through a minimum of 1,000 flying sectors as a First Officer. The basic salary range for Captains vary depending on the aircraft type or fleet he belongs to.
What is a pilot’s pay like?
Salaries vary depending on the type of aircraft a pilot is assigned to fly and the number of hours flown. Advancement of a pilot’s salary also depends on his length of service with the company and the fleet he belongs to. A First Officer’s basic salary starts from S$4,475 while a Captain’s starts from S$8,550.
How is a pilot’s pay structured?
An ALPA-S pilot’s pay, terms and conditions of employment are governed by Collective Agreements (CA) made between the pilots and their employers. That is, SIA pilots will have a CA with SIA, while SilkAir pilots sign a separate CA with SilkAir.
Generally, a pilot’s total pay comprises his basic salary and an hourly rated Pilots’ Productivity Allowance (PPA). These two components form the bulk of a pilot’s total income, one of which – the PPA – is relatively flexible. There are also some miscellaneous travel allowances provided for by the Company.
What is the CA?
The Collective Agreement (CA) is a comprehensive contract agreed upon by the airline and ALPA-S which dictates the employment terms and conditions of the pilots. It is made pursuant to the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act. The CA is renegotiated every two to three years as a matter of course. The CA applies to all 1,600 ALPA-S members which include Singapore citizens, expatriates and permanent residents from over 40 nationalities. The CA, however, does not cover the employment terms of ‘seconded’ pilots from SIA Mauritius, otherwise known as Overseas Based Pilots.
Note: SilkAir pilots negotiate a separate CA with SilkAir Management through the SilkAir Branch within ALPA-S. The Executive Council comprising SIA Branch and SilkAir Branch representatives, acts on behalf of SilkAir pilots.
What are Seconded Pilots?
Seconded pilots are not directly employed by the Airlines but operate services for the airlines using SIA-owned aircraft. Such pilots are based outside Singapore.
What is Pilots’ Productivity Allowance?
The Pilots’ Productivity Allowance (PPA) is an hourly rate paid for every hour flown. Under the prevailing CA, the PPA comprises up to 30% of a pilot’s total income. As this part of the pilot’s salary is based on productivity, it is variable – the more a pilot flies, the more he earns. As such, in cases when flights are cancelled, if he is sent on course, or if he is on medical or annual leave, his salary will be correspondingly affected. Thus, a pilot’s salary can fluctuate – the less he flies, the lower his income.
For example, PPA earned during the height of the SARS period was significantly affected as a result of the large number of cancelled flights. During that period, pilots’ flying hours suffered a very drastic drop to less than half of what they usually flew. Coupled with the cut in their basic salaries, pilots effectively saw their total income reduced by up to about 45%. (This does not include the opportunity costs from compulsory no-pay leave taken during the SARS period.). Under the current prevailing CA, the PPA is $41 per hour for SIA captains and $23 per hour for co-pilots.
How much leave do pilots have?
Currently, national pilots with SIA have 28 days annual leave, while expatriates enjoy 42 days annual leave. SilkAir national pilots enjoy between 30-36 days leave each year. The industry standard is on average 42 days per year. Pilots do not enjoy any off days on any of the statutory holidays.
I am keen to be an airline pilot, how can I apply?
Application details and requirements are sometimes available on the website of the various airlines in Singapore. Check them out! Do note that entry requirements vary with the different airline employers.
Reuirements for the issue of a CAAS Professional Pilots Licence can be found in SASP2 (singapore Air Safety Publication 2) located under the regulations section in Civil Aviation Authority Singapore website.
Singapore Airlines Ltd http://www.singaporeair.com
SIA Cargo Pte Ltd http://www.siacargo.com/career.asp
Tiger Airways http://www.tigerairways.com
Singapore Flying College http://www.sfcpl.com
Jetstar Asia http://www.jetstarasia.com
Silk Air http://www.silkair.com
ValuAir http://www.valuair.com.sg/about_valuair/careers.html
Is there a minimum age to be a pilot?
The minimum age is laid down in the requirements for the issue of a professional pilots licence found in SASP2. However Singaporeans who wish to enter the profession as an Airline Pilot will have to be at least 26 years of age at the point of application. This is a restriction imposed on Singaporeans by the Government to ensure the Air Force has its ready pool of applicants amongst our limited talent pool. This does not apply if you are not a Singaporean.
How long does it take for a pilot to be trained?
A cadet pilot undergoes three phases of training over a period of 26 months with a starting pay of S$750.00 which increases commensurate with the phase of training he undergoes. During this time, he trains in Singapore and Western Australia as well as in the state of Queensland, Australia.
However, throughout his career, a pilot continues to undergo a rigorous six-monthly recurrent training session, a six-monthly flight test in a simulator and an annual fight check en route in order to maintain a valid licence to fly. The licence is also based on his passing a six-monthly or an annual thorough medical check-up, depending on age or type of flying licence held.
What sort of flying licence does an SIA pilot need to have?
The basic licence required for an SIA pilot is the Commercial Pilot’s Licence. In addition to the ongoing training mentioned above, a pilot holding this licence has to pass an annual medical examination if he is below 40 years of age, and every six months if he is above 40 years old. To be a Captain, a pilot needs to possess an Air Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL) which is obtained by passing a written examination set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. He also has to acquire the necessary flying hours. An ATPL holder has to undergo a medical examination once every six months.
Is there a minimum age before you can be a pilot with the national carrier SIA?
Singaporeans have to be at least 26 years old before they can start a career with the national carrier. (This policy applies only to Singaporean staff.) As such, many ALPA-S members are mid-career pilots who are often trained in other professions and may even have been practicing in those industries for several years before making the switch.
Among ALPA-S members are former bankers, doctors, lawyers, IT professionals, engineers, administrators, economists, marketing executives, etc who have made the career change for the love of the flying. While they come from all walks of life, it is their overriding passion and love for their job that keeps them flying the national carrier. Most of them remain career pilots.
How long does it take to become a Captain?
To reach the rank of Captain takes on average 10 years, clocking over 4,700 hours of flying through a minimum of 1,000 flying sectors as a First Officer. The basic salary range for Captains vary depending on the aircraft type or fleet he belongs to.
What is a pilot’s pay like?
Salaries vary depending on the type of aircraft a pilot is assigned to fly and the number of hours flown. Advancement of a pilot’s salary also depends on his length of service with the company and the fleet he belongs to. A First Officer’s basic salary starts from S$4,475 while a Captain’s starts from S$8,550.
How is a pilot’s pay structured?
An ALPA-S pilot’s pay, terms and conditions of employment are governed by Collective Agreements (CA) made between the pilots and their employers. That is, SIA pilots will have a CA with SIA, while SilkAir pilots sign a separate CA with SilkAir.
Generally, a pilot’s total pay comprises his basic salary and an hourly rated Pilots’ Productivity Allowance (PPA). These two components form the bulk of a pilot’s total income, one of which – the PPA – is relatively flexible. There are also some miscellaneous travel allowances provided for by the Company.
What is the CA?
The Collective Agreement (CA) is a comprehensive contract agreed upon by the airline and ALPA-S which dictates the employment terms and conditions of the pilots. It is made pursuant to the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act. The CA is renegotiated every two to three years as a matter of course. The CA applies to all 1,600 ALPA-S members which include Singapore citizens, expatriates and permanent residents from over 40 nationalities. The CA, however, does not cover the employment terms of ‘seconded’ pilots from SIA Mauritius, otherwise known as Overseas Based Pilots.
Note: SilkAir pilots negotiate a separate CA with SilkAir Management through the SilkAir Branch within ALPA-S. The Executive Council comprising SIA Branch and SilkAir Branch representatives, acts on behalf of SilkAir pilots.
What are Seconded Pilots?
Seconded pilots are not directly employed by the Airlines but operate services for the airlines using SIA-owned aircraft. Such pilots are based outside Singapore.
What is Pilots’ Productivity Allowance?
The Pilots’ Productivity Allowance (PPA) is an hourly rate paid for every hour flown. Under the prevailing CA, the PPA comprises up to 30% of a pilot’s total income. As this part of the pilot’s salary is based on productivity, it is variable – the more a pilot flies, the more he earns. As such, in cases when flights are cancelled, if he is sent on course, or if he is on medical or annual leave, his salary will be correspondingly affected. Thus, a pilot’s salary can fluctuate – the less he flies, the lower his income.
For example, PPA earned during the height of the SARS period was significantly affected as a result of the large number of cancelled flights. During that period, pilots’ flying hours suffered a very drastic drop to less than half of what they usually flew. Coupled with the cut in their basic salaries, pilots effectively saw their total income reduced by up to about 45%. (This does not include the opportunity costs from compulsory no-pay leave taken during the SARS period.). Under the current prevailing CA, the PPA is $41 per hour for SIA captains and $23 per hour for co-pilots.
How much leave do pilots have?
Currently, national pilots with SIA have 28 days annual leave, while expatriates enjoy 42 days annual leave. SilkAir national pilots enjoy between 30-36 days leave each year. The industry standard is on average 42 days per year. Pilots do not enjoy any off days on any of the statutory holidays.
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Originally Posted by EverettWings
There is a phenomenal amount of information you can get off the internet that will provide the answers to your questions. However, the ALPA-S website seems to have the most accurate information. You can visit alpas.org or for ease of reference, I'll just paste the information below. Hope it helps:-
I am keen to be an airline pilot, how can I apply?
Application details and requirements are sometimes available on the website of the various airlines in Singapore. Check them out! Do note that entry requirements vary with the different airline employers.
Reuirements for the issue of a CAAS Professional Pilots Licence can be found in SASP2 (singapore Air Safety Publication 2) located under the regulations section in Civil Aviation Authority Singapore website.
Singapore Airlines Ltd http://www.singaporeair.com
SIA Cargo Pte Ltd http://www.siacargo.com/career.asp
Tiger Airways http://www.tigerairways.com
Singapore Flying College http://www.sfcpl.com
Jetstar Asia http://www.jetstarasia.com
Silk Air http://www.silkair.com
ValuAir http://www.valuair.com.sg/about_valuair/careers.html
Is there a minimum age to be a pilot?
The minimum age is laid down in the requirements for the issue of a professional pilots licence found in SASP2. However Singaporeans who wish to enter the profession as an Airline Pilot will have to be at least 26 years of age at the point of application. This is a restriction imposed on Singaporeans by the Government to ensure the Air Force has its ready pool of applicants amongst our limited talent pool. This does not apply if you are not a Singaporean.
How long does it take for a pilot to be trained?
A cadet pilot undergoes three phases of training over a period of 26 months with a starting pay of S$750.00 which increases commensurate with the phase of training he undergoes. During this time, he trains in Singapore and Western Australia as well as in the state of Queensland, Australia.
However, throughout his career, a pilot continues to undergo a rigorous six-monthly recurrent training session, a six-monthly flight test in a simulator and an annual fight check en route in order to maintain a valid licence to fly. The licence is also based on his passing a six-monthly or an annual thorough medical check-up, depending on age or type of flying licence held.
What sort of flying licence does an SIA pilot need to have?
The basic licence required for an SIA pilot is the Commercial Pilot’s Licence. In addition to the ongoing training mentioned above, a pilot holding this licence has to pass an annual medical examination if he is below 40 years of age, and every six months if he is above 40 years old. To be a Captain, a pilot needs to possess an Air Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL) which is obtained by passing a written examination set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. He also has to acquire the necessary flying hours. An ATPL holder has to undergo a medical examination once every six months.
Is there a minimum age before you can be a pilot with the national carrier SIA?
Singaporeans have to be at least 26 years old before they can start a career with the national carrier. (This policy applies only to Singaporean staff.) As such, many ALPA-S members are mid-career pilots who are often trained in other professions and may even have been practicing in those industries for several years before making the switch.
Among ALPA-S members are former bankers, doctors, lawyers, IT professionals, engineers, administrators, economists, marketing executives, etc who have made the career change for the love of the flying. While they come from all walks of life, it is their overriding passion and love for their job that keeps them flying the national carrier. Most of them remain career pilots.
How long does it take to become a Captain?
To reach the rank of Captain takes on average 10 years, clocking over 4,700 hours of flying through a minimum of 1,000 flying sectors as a First Officer. The basic salary range for Captains vary depending on the aircraft type or fleet he belongs to.
What is a pilot’s pay like?
Salaries vary depending on the type of aircraft a pilot is assigned to fly and the number of hours flown. Advancement of a pilot’s salary also depends on his length of service with the company and the fleet he belongs to. A First Officer’s basic salary starts from S$4,475 while a Captain’s starts from S$8,550.
How is a pilot’s pay structured?
An ALPA-S pilot’s pay, terms and conditions of employment are governed by Collective Agreements (CA) made between the pilots and their employers. That is, SIA pilots will have a CA with SIA, while SilkAir pilots sign a separate CA with SilkAir.
Generally, a pilot’s total pay comprises his basic salary and an hourly rated Pilots’ Productivity Allowance (PPA). These two components form the bulk of a pilot’s total income, one of which – the PPA – is relatively flexible. There are also some miscellaneous travel allowances provided for by the Company.
What is the CA?
The Collective Agreement (CA) is a comprehensive contract agreed upon by the airline and ALPA-S which dictates the employment terms and conditions of the pilots. It is made pursuant to the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act. The CA is renegotiated every two to three years as a matter of course. The CA applies to all 1,600 ALPA-S members which include Singapore citizens, expatriates and permanent residents from over 40 nationalities. The CA, however, does not cover the employment terms of ‘seconded’ pilots from SIA Mauritius, otherwise known as Overseas Based Pilots.
Note: SilkAir pilots negotiate a separate CA with SilkAir Management through the SilkAir Branch within ALPA-S. The Executive Council comprising SIA Branch and SilkAir Branch representatives, acts on behalf of SilkAir pilots.
What are Seconded Pilots?
Seconded pilots are not directly employed by the Airlines but operate services for the airlines using SIA-owned aircraft. Such pilots are based outside Singapore.
What is Pilots’ Productivity Allowance?
The Pilots’ Productivity Allowance (PPA) is an hourly rate paid for every hour flown. Under the prevailing CA, the PPA comprises up to 30% of a pilot’s total income. As this part of the pilot’s salary is based on productivity, it is variable – the more a pilot flies, the more he earns. As such, in cases when flights are cancelled, if he is sent on course, or if he is on medical or annual leave, his salary will be correspondingly affected. Thus, a pilot’s salary can fluctuate – the less he flies, the lower his income.
For example, PPA earned during the height of the SARS period was significantly affected as a result of the large number of cancelled flights. During that period, pilots’ flying hours suffered a very drastic drop to less than half of what they usually flew. Coupled with the cut in their basic salaries, pilots effectively saw their total income reduced by up to about 45%. (This does not include the opportunity costs from compulsory no-pay leave taken during the SARS period.). Under the current prevailing CA, the PPA is $41 per hour for SIA captains and $23 per hour for co-pilots.
How much leave do pilots have?
Currently, national pilots with SIA have 28 days annual leave, while expatriates enjoy 42 days annual leave. SilkAir national pilots enjoy between 30-36 days leave each year. The industry standard is on average 42 days per year. Pilots do not enjoy any off days on any of the statutory holidays.
I am keen to be an airline pilot, how can I apply?
Application details and requirements are sometimes available on the website of the various airlines in Singapore. Check them out! Do note that entry requirements vary with the different airline employers.
Reuirements for the issue of a CAAS Professional Pilots Licence can be found in SASP2 (singapore Air Safety Publication 2) located under the regulations section in Civil Aviation Authority Singapore website.
Singapore Airlines Ltd http://www.singaporeair.com
SIA Cargo Pte Ltd http://www.siacargo.com/career.asp
Tiger Airways http://www.tigerairways.com
Singapore Flying College http://www.sfcpl.com
Jetstar Asia http://www.jetstarasia.com
Silk Air http://www.silkair.com
ValuAir http://www.valuair.com.sg/about_valuair/careers.html
Is there a minimum age to be a pilot?
The minimum age is laid down in the requirements for the issue of a professional pilots licence found in SASP2. However Singaporeans who wish to enter the profession as an Airline Pilot will have to be at least 26 years of age at the point of application. This is a restriction imposed on Singaporeans by the Government to ensure the Air Force has its ready pool of applicants amongst our limited talent pool. This does not apply if you are not a Singaporean.
How long does it take for a pilot to be trained?
A cadet pilot undergoes three phases of training over a period of 26 months with a starting pay of S$750.00 which increases commensurate with the phase of training he undergoes. During this time, he trains in Singapore and Western Australia as well as in the state of Queensland, Australia.
However, throughout his career, a pilot continues to undergo a rigorous six-monthly recurrent training session, a six-monthly flight test in a simulator and an annual fight check en route in order to maintain a valid licence to fly. The licence is also based on his passing a six-monthly or an annual thorough medical check-up, depending on age or type of flying licence held.
What sort of flying licence does an SIA pilot need to have?
The basic licence required for an SIA pilot is the Commercial Pilot’s Licence. In addition to the ongoing training mentioned above, a pilot holding this licence has to pass an annual medical examination if he is below 40 years of age, and every six months if he is above 40 years old. To be a Captain, a pilot needs to possess an Air Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL) which is obtained by passing a written examination set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. He also has to acquire the necessary flying hours. An ATPL holder has to undergo a medical examination once every six months.
Is there a minimum age before you can be a pilot with the national carrier SIA?
Singaporeans have to be at least 26 years old before they can start a career with the national carrier. (This policy applies only to Singaporean staff.) As such, many ALPA-S members are mid-career pilots who are often trained in other professions and may even have been practicing in those industries for several years before making the switch.
Among ALPA-S members are former bankers, doctors, lawyers, IT professionals, engineers, administrators, economists, marketing executives, etc who have made the career change for the love of the flying. While they come from all walks of life, it is their overriding passion and love for their job that keeps them flying the national carrier. Most of them remain career pilots.
How long does it take to become a Captain?
To reach the rank of Captain takes on average 10 years, clocking over 4,700 hours of flying through a minimum of 1,000 flying sectors as a First Officer. The basic salary range for Captains vary depending on the aircraft type or fleet he belongs to.
What is a pilot’s pay like?
Salaries vary depending on the type of aircraft a pilot is assigned to fly and the number of hours flown. Advancement of a pilot’s salary also depends on his length of service with the company and the fleet he belongs to. A First Officer’s basic salary starts from S$4,475 while a Captain’s starts from S$8,550.
How is a pilot’s pay structured?
An ALPA-S pilot’s pay, terms and conditions of employment are governed by Collective Agreements (CA) made between the pilots and their employers. That is, SIA pilots will have a CA with SIA, while SilkAir pilots sign a separate CA with SilkAir.
Generally, a pilot’s total pay comprises his basic salary and an hourly rated Pilots’ Productivity Allowance (PPA). These two components form the bulk of a pilot’s total income, one of which – the PPA – is relatively flexible. There are also some miscellaneous travel allowances provided for by the Company.
What is the CA?
The Collective Agreement (CA) is a comprehensive contract agreed upon by the airline and ALPA-S which dictates the employment terms and conditions of the pilots. It is made pursuant to the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act. The CA is renegotiated every two to three years as a matter of course. The CA applies to all 1,600 ALPA-S members which include Singapore citizens, expatriates and permanent residents from over 40 nationalities. The CA, however, does not cover the employment terms of ‘seconded’ pilots from SIA Mauritius, otherwise known as Overseas Based Pilots.
Note: SilkAir pilots negotiate a separate CA with SilkAir Management through the SilkAir Branch within ALPA-S. The Executive Council comprising SIA Branch and SilkAir Branch representatives, acts on behalf of SilkAir pilots.
What are Seconded Pilots?
Seconded pilots are not directly employed by the Airlines but operate services for the airlines using SIA-owned aircraft. Such pilots are based outside Singapore.
What is Pilots’ Productivity Allowance?
The Pilots’ Productivity Allowance (PPA) is an hourly rate paid for every hour flown. Under the prevailing CA, the PPA comprises up to 30% of a pilot’s total income. As this part of the pilot’s salary is based on productivity, it is variable – the more a pilot flies, the more he earns. As such, in cases when flights are cancelled, if he is sent on course, or if he is on medical or annual leave, his salary will be correspondingly affected. Thus, a pilot’s salary can fluctuate – the less he flies, the lower his income.
For example, PPA earned during the height of the SARS period was significantly affected as a result of the large number of cancelled flights. During that period, pilots’ flying hours suffered a very drastic drop to less than half of what they usually flew. Coupled with the cut in their basic salaries, pilots effectively saw their total income reduced by up to about 45%. (This does not include the opportunity costs from compulsory no-pay leave taken during the SARS period.). Under the current prevailing CA, the PPA is $41 per hour for SIA captains and $23 per hour for co-pilots.
How much leave do pilots have?
Currently, national pilots with SIA have 28 days annual leave, while expatriates enjoy 42 days annual leave. SilkAir national pilots enjoy between 30-36 days leave each year. The industry standard is on average 42 days per year. Pilots do not enjoy any off days on any of the statutory holidays.
