Life as an SIA Cadet
 

G'day,

Got through all interviews and am off for OBS. Had questions for those cadets who are currently in training. I'm Aussie (of asian heritage). I've never lived in Singapore before so this all very new.

Seletar: Whats the life like in Seletar ? Do you have free time in the evenings and weekends to go home?

Are the instructors at Seletar helpful in your learning? DO they encourage questions ?

I heard life there is like a "civilian military". Is this true in your experience ? (up by 5 am, room inspections, do what we tell you, **** when we tell you, etc etc)

I heard that the instructors at SFC and attitude of the airline is that they "treat you like they own you" - like dirt. Is this true ?

Jandakot: DO you typically have evenings and weekends off to leave base or are you restricted to the airport ? Whats the attitude of the instructors/superiors there ?

Someone once mentioned that you need to have a "singaporean mentality to get through" or adapt to it, is this true in your opinion ?

What advise could you give an Ang Moh like myself ? Do non-singaporeans and non-M'asians have a hard time with the cadetship ?

What is the attrition rate in Jandakot and Brisbane ? Where do most people have a hard time ?

Thanks much.

Hi, congratulations to joining SQ, and welcome to SFC.

First of all, the training that you'll get after OBS will be quite intensive and stressful (at times). Apart from the exams and ATPLs, you'll also be assessed on your flying ability on the C152.

Suffice to say, there will be some cadets who do not pass this phase. Anyway, the attrition rate is approximately 15%, which again, is an average.

Most cadets have difficulty with (not in priority) at the Seletar flying phase, then clearing solo in Jandakot, and finally, the Baron phase just before getting the CPL/IR.

As for Brisbane, it is quite rare to be terminated there, but yes, it is still possible. In fact, we can get terminated (or grounded) at any time, as this is the only profession that you get tested on your competency periodically. So... just have to get used to it.

Anyway, dun worry about it too much, just put your 100% into it. Think about it, there are a lot of other people out there wanting to be in your position, so make the most out of it.


Good luck!

After Basic ATPL training
 

Once cadets have finished the basic CPL/IR does anyone know what the format is and how long each stage takes?

For example I understand it goes something along the lines of:

1: Lear Jet ground school
2: Lear Jet Type Training (which involves flying around Oz?)
3: Type conversion onto the actual fleet you'll be flying (i.e 777)
4. Line training as a second officer

1+2=5~6mths?
3 =~4mths?
4 =~7-9mths?

Also - any idea where #3 conducted and how many hours one might fly during this period??

Would appreciate any information.

Thanks

MM

For your questions, after you obtain your CPL/IR, you'll spend about 3 weeks in Singapore for your L45 groundschool and Type exam. Then you'll head off to Maroochydore for your L45 Type rating... This should take approximately 2 months.

When you come back to Singapore (again), you'll be assigned to whichever fleet, either the 744 or 777. Unlikely you'll get the 345. Depending on which fleet, line training takes approximately 6-10 months, before you're checked out as a First Officer.

Of course, these timings are an approximation. Delays may occur due whatever reasons... so, don't get your hopes up too high.

Type conversion (for B744/B777) is done in Singapore, and depends very much on the simulator availability.

Limpeh,

Thanks for the information. How long does the type conversion to the 744/777 take including ground school ~ 3mths+?

Cheers

MM

The type conversion depends entirely on sim availability. Can be as long as 3-4 months.

Is anyone happy in SIA?
 

Just wondering if anyone is actually happy in SIA as there always seems to be a lot of negativity about this forum. I'm not sure if it's something more to do with expectations of particular groups within the company (no offence whatsoever intended to any group whether it be expat or local). I haven't seen many postive postings and with a company that has so many pilots, surely there must be some????

Thanks Limpeh for your answers.

MM

Just some perspective:I recently started working for a airline based in HK,my starting pay is US$4800 to help drive a 747.This is not included housing,line duty,outport allowence.

Same job,same hours almost same equipment - different pay scale..