Phase 2 - In-Aircraft PPL Flight Training
Candidates who wish to proceed to Phase 2 - In-Aircraft PPL Flight Training during this period (where overseas travel is limited) may wish to consider enrolling with Seletar Flying Club based in Singapore after completing our 12-week program. This Phase 1 - FlightSchool.sg & Phase 2 - Seletar Flying Club route is still more cost-effective as it costs S$150 in our full-motion flight simulator versus S$550 in the aircraft (excluding local landing fees of $37.50 per landing). The more proficient you are training in our full-motion flight simulator, the less time (and money) you need to spend in the aircraft. You will however need to join Seletar Flying Club as an Ordinary Member and obtain your Singapore Student Pilot License before you can commence flight training on a Singapore-registered aircraft. The good news is flying hours clocked locally may be recognised if you choose to embark on your US Private Pilot License when overseas travel becomes less restricted.
The 3rd most cost-effective option is simply to complete your Phase 1 - 12-Week Preparatory Programme with FlightSchool.sg and patiently wait for restricted travel to the US to be lifted. Meanwhile, maintain your flying proficiency by flying our full-motion flight simulator once or twice a month, or proceed to train with us for your instrument rating!
Why obtain a Private Pilot License in the USA instead of Singapore?
For two main reasons:
1) Ample availability of USA-registered aircraft in Singapore to rent
After spending all the time & money to earn your PPL, surely you wish to bring your family and friends onboard an aircraft piloted by your good self. Or you wish to spend a weekend flying to Penang and staying for one or two nights before heading back to Singapore.
So firstly, it is worth noting that pilots can only fly an aircraft that is registered in the same jurisdiction as their pilot license. Meaning Singapore PPL holders can only fly Singapore-registered aircraft and USA PPL holders can only fly USA-registered aircraft etc.
The fact is as follows: There are ample USA-registered light aircraft available in Singapore for rent, while the inventory of Singapore-registered light aircraft is limited to Singapore flying schools and private aircraft owners.
2) Lower Cost of Flight Training
Flight training in the USA can cost anywhere between USD8,000 and 15,000 for a 40-hour Private Pilot License package. The final bill depends on many factors, including but not limited to:
1) Location of Flight School
Flight training in the East Coast (e.g. New York) and West Coast (e.g. California) will generally be more costly than in Texas, Washington, and Nevada.
2) Number of Hours of Flight Training Incurred
The national average in the USA for the average number of hours of flight training required to earn a Private Pilot License level is between 70-80 hours. The good news is FlightSchool.sg students have historically been able to earn their PPL in 40-50 hours.
* How about earning a Private Pilot License in Australia?
We do have students who took the Australian route to earn their PPL. But this is because their primary purpose of earning a PPL was to eventually fly for the airlines. In other words, they were not concerned with the fact that there are currently no Australian-registered aircraft available for rent in Singapore.
FAA PPL Requirements:
– At least 17 years of age (at the time of the flight test)
– English proficient (can speak, read and write)
– Not colour blind
– 20/40 (able to see at 20ft what a normally sighted person is able to see at 40ft) or better in each eye separately, with or without correction
- Able to pass the FAA Class-3 Medical exam
Age Limitation
Regarding age limitation, the minimum age to take the FAA PPL written and practical tests is 17 years old. In order to fly solo in an aircraft, the student pilot needs to be at least 16 years of age. There is no maximum age limit to take the FAA PPL written and practical tests. However, note that there is no minimum age to commence ground and flight training. So even children (we recommend at least 13 years of age can start to learn to fly!).
Education Requirements
Also, note that there are no minimum educational requirements to earn an FAA PPL. However, educational requirements are typically imposed by airlines and corporate charter companies.
Eyesight Requirements
In order to pass the FAA PPL Class-3 Medical Exam, here’s the official requirement as per the Code of Federal Regulations §67.303:
(a) Distant visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. If corrective lenses (spectacles or contact lenses) are necessary for 20/40 vision, the person may be eligible only on the condition that corrective lenses are worn while exercising the privileges of an airman certificate.
(b) Near vision of 20/40 or better, Snellen equivalent, at 16 inches in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses.
(c) Ability to perceive those colors necessary for the safe performance of airman duties.
(d) No acute or chronic pathological condition of either eye or adnexa that interferes with the proper function of an eye, that may reasonably be expected to progress to that degree, or that may reasonably be expected to be aggravated by flying.
14-Day Accelerated FAA PPL Preparatory Program (Full-Time)
Similar in scope with our 12-week part-time program above, but delivered on a 14-day full-time timetable. The Private Pilot License (PPL) candidate prepares for the FAA PPL by undergoing daily ground-school classes (3 hours per session) and flight sim training classes (1-2 hours per session) over a 14 day period. At the end of two weeks, and upon passing our internal ground and flight assessment tests, the PPL candidate will be able to proceed to Phase II of the training in the USA. Phase II should take no more than 25 days in total.
5-Hour FFA PPL Preparatory Simulator Package (No Age Limit, Part-Time, Pay-As-You-Go)
This package is suitable for anyone who is interested in learning how to fly (no minimum or maximum age limit), but who may not have the time or urgency to obtain an FAA PPL. This package comprises solely of flight sim sessions and each session will be conducted according to the FAA PPL syllabus. Ultimately, the student pilot can look forward to earning his Private Pilot License (Flight Simulator) by passing our PPL flight test conducted in our flight simulator. Once he/she earns the Private Pilot License (Flight Simulator), he/she will be able to book and use our flight simulator to either fly solo or with a friend or family member using real-world maps, weather and flight planning.
Young Aviator’s Program (13-16 Years Old)
In this course, the youths of today (and leaders of tomorrow) are exposed to various fields in aviation through an innovative syllabus that combines both theoretical & practical applications of SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH within the realm of AVIATION.
Contact us at +65 67331268 for program enrolment details or to get your questions answered!
