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
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 and Above
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 25
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 26 and Above
Becoming a commercial pilot at 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!
Singapore Airlines Ab Initio Cadet Pilot Programme (Applications for pilot positions are currently closed until further notice)
Requirements
- Minimum GCE ‘A’ Level, Polytechnic Diploma or Degree. In addition, you must demonstrate proficiency in English, Mathematics and Science, preferably Physics (with at least credits in GCE ‘O’ levels or its equivalent)
- For candidates without credits in English at GCE ‘O’ Levels or its equivalent, you must produce additional proof of English proficiency:
- IELTS – Minimum Band 7 (out of 9); or
- TOEFL – Minimum score: Computer-based – 250, Paper Version – 600; or
- Certificate of Completion for English Language Course
- Myopia of not more than 600 degrees per eye, and astigmatism of not more than 200 degrees per eye (Applies to both pre- and post-operative vision, and must be correctable to 6/6 visual acuity or better).
Selection Process
All interviews will be held in Singapore. Applicants undergo five stages comprising online application, preliminary interview, aptitude test, final interview with senior management as well as a medical check-up.
Training
Successful candidates will undergo training to acquire either an Airline Transport Pilot’s License (ATPL) with Instrument Rating (IR) or a Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) at Singapore Flying College and overseas.
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.