If you have ever dreamt of becoming a pilot in Singapore, the good news is there are multiple paths you can take to fulfill your dream.
Flying as a Career in Singapore
Aged 12 to 16
Teenagers between the ages of 13 to 16 i.e. secondary school students, who have the ambition to pursue an aviation career as a pilot should start exploring aviation-related programs and courses in school. For example, a uniformed group like the National Cadet Corps (Air), aero-modelling club, or the SYFC CCA (Singapore Youth Flying Club CCA) if offered in school. Currently, the SYFC CCA program, which allows students to "learn more about flying through aviation knowledge, simulator flying and aeromodelling activities" is available in the following schools:
- Bedok Green Secondary School
- Bukit View Secondary School
- Edgefield Secondary School
- Evergreen Secondary School
- Fuchun Secondary School
- Hai Sing Catholic School
- Hillgrove Secondary School
- Hua Yi Secondary School
- Hwa Chong Institute
- Northbrooks Secondary School
- NUS High School of Maths and Science
- School of Science and Technology
- St Andrew’s Secondary School
- Westwood Secondary School
- Woodgrove Secondary School
Students from non-participating schools may opt to enroll in SYFC CCA (Singapore Youth Flying Club CCA) HQ Open Unit conducted at SYFC located at 515 West Camp Road Singapore 797695, Seletar Airport. The pre-requisites to join SYFC CCA are as follows:
- Singapore Citizen
- At least 13 years old
- Students in Secondary schools in Singapore
- Freshmen preferred
- Healthy and no major illnesses
- No asthma and healthy BMI
- Eyesight requirements
- Short-sighted – below 600 deg each eye
- Not colour blind
- No other eye deficiencies
For students who do not meet the above pre-requisites (due to age, eyesight etc.) or who do not wish to join any of the above programs can opt to pursue aviation courses conducted by the private sector, for example, FlightSchool.sg's Recreational Pilot Certificate Preparatory Program, which follows the Recreational Aviation Australia Ltd (RAAus) syllabus and have no pre-requisites other than not being colour blind.
Another reason why students aged 12 to 16 may wish to consider joining FlightSchool.sg's Recreational Pilot Certificate Preparatory Program is to acquire practical hands-on aviation knowledge and proficiency so as to increase the chances of not only being selected for the SYFC Flying Course, but also ace-ing the course and earning their Private Pilot License (courtesy of SYFC), and paving the way for their pilot career in the Singapore Air Force and even at Singapore Airlines!
Aged 16 to 18
The Singapore Youth Flying Club opens its doors to its SYFC Flying Course to students aged 16 and above. The SYFC Flying Course is a popular course with fairly strict entry requirements.
Here are the pre-requisites as stated on their website:
- Singapore Citizens
- At least 16 years old
- Students in JC, Poly or IP/IB schools who are age 16
- Freshmen preferred
- Healthy and no major illnesses
- No asthma and healthy BMI
- Height – 1.62m to 1.90m and not obese
- Eyesight requirements
- Short-sighted – below 600 deg each eye
- Astigmatism – below 200 deg each eye
- Not colour blind
- No other eye deficiencies
For students who do not meet the above pre-requisites (due to age, eyesight etc.) or who do not wish to join any of the above programs can opt to pursue aviation courses conducted by the private sector, for example, FlightSchool.sg's Private Pilot License Preparatory Program, which follows the USA Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) syllabus and have no pre-requisites other than not being colour blind.
Another reason why students aged 16 and above may wish to consider joining FlightSchool.sg's Private Pilot License Preparatory Program is to acquire the PPL-level knowledge and proficiency so as to increase the chances of not only being selected for the SYFC Flying Course, but also ace-ing the course and earning their Private Pilot License (courtesy of SYFC), and paving the way for their pilot career in the Singapore Air Force and even at Singapore Airlines!
Aged 18 to 20
If you are a Singapore citizen or Singapore permanent resident aged at least 18 years old who aspires to become a pilot, instead of just serving out national service (for men), you should apply to the RSAF (Republic of Singapore Air Force) as a military pilot instead.
According to Mindef's website, the following are the pilot training phases and timeline:
- Basic Military Training - 9 weeks
- Air Grading (Tamworth, Australia) - 2 months
- Common Leadership Module (SAFTI MI) - 2 week
- Air Force Service Term (SAFTI MI) - 7 weeks
- Jungle Orientation Training - 2 weeks
- Aviation Ground School (AFTC) - 3 months
- Basic Wing Course (Pearce, Australia) - 6-9 months
- Advanced Flying Course (Canada/ France/ Italy/ USA/ Singapore) - Up to 15 months
Medical Requirements:
- Eyesight not more than 600 degrees per eye
- Astigmatism not more than 200 degrees per eye
- Height between 1.62m and 1.90m
- All relevant Degrees, Diplomas or an 'A' Level/IB Certificate
Aged 21 and Above (Becoming a Commerical Pilot with Singapore Airlines)
Becoming a commercial pilot with Singapore Airlines is probably the most desired commercial pilot career one can hope for. It takes about 3 years to train a Singapore Airlines cadet into a 2nd Officer. And you get to fly one of the World's most modern fleet of commercial airliners!
If you’ve ever dreamt of soaring the skies as a commercial pilot with Singapore Airlines, starting your journey with a U.S. Private Pilot Licence (PPL) could give you a powerful edge. From demonstrating genuine passion and commitment to honing real-world cockpit skills in busy airspace, discover ten compelling reasons why earning a PPL—especially in the United States—can set you apart in the competitive Singapore Airlines Cadet Pilot Program selection. Learn how hands-on flight experience, building a broad and solid aviation foundation, and adapting to a rigorous safety culture can streamline your path to the cockpit. Dive into our detailed article, titled “10 Key Reasons a U.S. Private Pilot Licence Can Significantly Boost Your Chances in the Singapore Airlines Cadet Pilot Program” to uncover the key factors that might just help your cadet pilot application take flight.
Singapore Airlines Ab Initio Cadet Pilot Programme
Requirements (Updated in January 2025)
- Educational qualification of GCE ‘A’ level, Diploma, or Degree. Otherwise, you must have obtained a minimum of 5 GCE ‘O’ Level credits. These must include English, Mathematics and a Science subject, taken at one sitting
- Myopia of not more than 800 degrees and astigmatism of not more than 300 degrees, fully correctable with optical aids
- Minimum height requirement of 1.62m to carry out safety and emergency procedures on board
Selection Process
Applicants will undergo various stages during the recruitment process including (but not limited to) online application, computer assessment test, interviews, and medical check-up.
Training
Successful candidates will be trained to acquire suitable professional qualifications at Singapore Flying College in Singapore and overseas. Upon completion of the training programme, you will undergo further training to become a First Officer.
Source: https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/careers/cadet-pilots-career/
Flying as a Hobby (or Personal Pursuit)
If you do not plan to pursue flying as a career, you won't need a Commercial Pilot License. In other words, you just want to become a pilot so you can fly yourself, your friends and your family - and the best option, therefore, is to pursue a Private Pilot License. Thanks to FlightSchool.sg's innovative aviation courses including our Private Pilot License Preparatory Program that covers both flight training & ground school training in a competitively-priced package, literally anyone (who speaks basic English and is not color blind) is able to earn a Private Pilot License!
Please refer to FlightSchool.sg's write-up on how to earn a Private Pilot License in Singapore for more details.