SQ Pilots’ Pay
April 24th, 2007
Straits Times reported that SIA pilots’ salaries were revealed in the pay dispute court case between SIA and its pilots’ union.
Captains flying Boeing 777 planes take in a median of $271,888 per annum, which excludes allowances. Their First Officers receive a median income of $149,258. First Officers are “junior captains” – they become Captains upon promotion.
According to AskCaptainLim.com, a national airline pilot in the US commands up to US$250,000 per year. According to the same website, a Captain with the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) receives a gross pay of up to RM35,000/mth including allowances.
David Seah Says:
December 19th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Hi there,
Just to base on 65 hrs of flying duties is not accurate at all to calculate SIA pilots’ gross salary.
MVC( Monthly variable component has to take into account )as well as all other allowances such as transport, location meal allowances and inflight meal allowances have to be taken into account too. A ball park figures for all these allowances in will be close to 5K or more.
Spoken to some pilots ( Capts and FOs ) before hence a rough guide for gross salary will be at range of 19-30K over for Capts ( base on seniority as basic salary differs between a junior guy and much senior guy ) and 10K-16K for FOs ( base on seniority as well again ).
Hence I am also quite surprise Pilots are not in the top 100 Jobs in Singapore list.
Tequila Says:
April 27th, 2008 at 12:42 am
watch out the airline industry will burst in 5 years time
David Seah Says:
May 24th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Yea right, Tequila….the aviation industry will burst unless the end of the world is coming or everyone stop flying for holidays, business trips or maybe another bad SARS or real bird flu spread worldwide until nobody dares to travel out of the house.
If that’s not the case…I guess it’s a super boom time for travel industry be it Airlines, travel agencies etc especially Singapore IR and other big joyous events around the world happening.
Think of all the big bonus major national Airlines are throwing out to their employees.
David Seah Says:
June 1st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Dear Mr/Ms Admin,
I have checked with my friends with respective Airlines. Captains flying Wide body planes rack in a median of $271,888 per annum, which excludes allowances as you mentioned is quite there about for most senior crew.
Inclusive all the allowances in will be close to a range of 300K – 500K++ annual (depending on seniority of the Captain in the Airlines).
But again I agree with you totally, maybe it’s not a common job. Hence it is not classified in the 100 jobs or taken notice commonly.
Faazul Ashhab Says:
August 27th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Hi
I’m a 16 year old student doing my GCE N Level Examination this year. Hopefully next year i would graduate with my O Levels. I have an ambition to be a Commercial Pilot since young, watching those fast jets on national day inspired me alot. I’m also very interested about how the humongous aircraft takes off and lands safely.I have a few questions and hope someone would clear my doubts. First, I’ve heard from some of my friends that its not easy for Muslims in particular to get into the aviation industry due to recent terrorist attacks. Secondly how am i suppose to go about in becoming a Pilot. I’ve a few ideas in my mind like taking up a Pilot license through Singapore Youth Flying Club or getting a diploma in aerospace techonology after my Os.I hope someone could help me out with these doubts.
Thank You
BK Says:
August 31st, 2008 at 10:06 pm
1. There are lots of Muslim Pilots in SIA.
2. You need a minimum qualification which can be found here
3. If you are successful is being recruited as a Cadet Pilot, they’ll train you.
Hope this helps.
Dan Says:
July 1st, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Funny to read back some comments from last year. The airline industry really burst and several airlines are on the verge. Tickets are also cheaper so I guess the pilot`s salary have also decreased, if they could keep their job at all…
John C Says:
July 1st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Be a pilot is great. But he must be careful of politics and scandals. A pilot will live a pseudo-star life and have to be disciplined.
Next pilots got to manager their love life well. Being overseas most of the time can cause serious problems such as doubts of trust. All the Carebears always says, “Love is all about trust”. But trust me with all these beauties around, your wife isn’t going to feel good at all even though your conscious is clear.
- MAS pilot for 9 years.
maxonline Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:56 pm
i flew to Sydney and back for just 600 bucks on SQ. =p
JK Says:
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
i was wondering why do pilots get such high pay? with auto pilot and suto landing system, the pilot just have to do a take off. Though they have to deal with emergency or when component fails. i think that with advancement of avionic, pilot may go out of job in the future. so why not raise the pay or avionics engineers?
entrenched Says:
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Because the fraternity protects them. It’s deeply entrenched in the system. Same goes for bankers and doctors and lawyers. It will take a long time before a drastic change occurs. Innovation is overrated (even though some new ways could work if given the chance).
So don’t fight them. Join them.
100 Best Jobs in Singapore (2009) | Salary.sg - Your Salary in Singapore Says:
August 9th, 2009 at 2:32 am
[...] noted by some people previously, pilots, military jobs, top civil service posts and political appointments are not included in the MOM [...]
Alvin Says:
August 16th, 2009 at 9:31 am
To JK : With the advancement of systems on board the aircraft, it does not replace the jobs of pilots. Auto-pilot, Flight Management Systems and other advance avionics only assist the job of pilots to ensure a flight is more properly managed in terms of safety, comfort and efficiency.
~ A seasoned airline pilot.
Jason Says:
August 16th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
To Alvin: You are right…for now. I am sure in future pilots will still be required despite all the advancements in aircraft technologies/system. However, i am sure it will cut down the number of pilots required on board each flight from 3 to maybe just 2 or even 1.
David Seah Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
To Jason:
The industry norm is already operating with 2 men crew concept, even the super Jumbo A380 can be operated by just 2 pilots. So what’s the big deal or issue?
For your info, private jets such as VLJ ( Very light Jets ) that can carry 4 paxs such as Cessna Mustang is already certified to operate by a single pilot.
More likely is the trend to go towards UAV style in piloting a plane in the near future if that ever comes true.
But again would you dare to bet your life and fly in a pilot-less aircraft with other 300 fellow passengers? Dream about it and tell us please.
anti-pilots Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Pilots suck. They are paid well just because of the risks that they take while flying and not because of the value that they can bring/add to the company. Imagine, even a diploma holder can be a pilot. That sums up the basic intelligence required to be a pilot.
Flyboysingapore Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 10:14 am
For anti-pilot: Yes anyone can be a pilot. But do you have the competency. Papers from institutes get you the job, but are you then competent enough to get the job done? That’s why we go through stringent check flights and medical tests. Yes maybe you’ve had a bad experience with a pilot or maybe just sour cause you didn’t get the job but don’t because of 1 tree chop a whole forest.
Everyone thinks of being a pilot being glamourous. Maybe it is if you are single. Try it if you’re married. You’ll be missing out probably on many important family matters. The divorce rates are sky high in our profession. Pilot’s are human too and deserve the same amount of respect as every other living person. Just because we are flyboys/flygirls doesn’t mean we ourselves have no feelings. Or would you prefer to row a boat to Perth?
Subjects covered in training are not just about components and systems in an aircraft but we also have to learn about weather, human performance and every other aspect that would affect the flight and even passengers. That means you! We even have to listen to hypocrites who bull shit about us and yet still need our services. Put your god damn self in our shoes. See what it feels like. Being a pilot is a job. Alot of people make it seem like it’s a “race” to be a pilot and that we live in a “racist” world. We’re the new “blacks” of society now?
And yes, there are many muslim pilots. I was told many times that I can’t make it as a pilot. But Here I am, wearing the hard earned gold wings. I’m a pilot and I’m a muslim. It can be hard to change the mindset of Singaporeans thinking that muslims are unable to fly as pilot in our national carriers.
Anti-pilots, even a 6 year old isn’t as shallow as you. I won’t condemn you as you are entitled to your own opinion.
For take-off and landings, yes we have direct control of the plane. But not for cruise. But have you ever wondered how we got to use these “privileges”. We had to use “old-school” methods even before we progressed to the high-tech stuff. So we did crawl before we learned to walk and run. So if you think that you could do better without pilots, why didn’t people at Boeing and Airbus think of that, considering they have the smartest asses on earth working on our planes. Before mouthing off, I think people should have their brains re-wired with facts and then proceed to making educated and constructive comments.
Fly safe.
-Vandreax
Flyboysingapore Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Why can’t we all live in harmony.
Hahaha!
I love you, you love me… We are one big family.
Reminds me of that purple peadophilic dinosaur.
just curious Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
just wondering what is the maximum degrees for a commercial airline pilot’s eyesight?
Flyboysingapore Says:
December 30th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
You gotta meet the requirements for a class 1 medical. From what I heard as long as it can be corrected with specs. I’m not sure myself as I am not wearing specs myself.
anti-pilots 2 Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 9:03 am
flyboysingapore: Did you realise that perhaps the rest do not really share or agree with your views.
If given a high flyer in a MNC and a high flyer (pilot) with SIA, my respect goes to the one in MNC anytime. It takes alot of effort, luck, capabilities, networking, intelligence etc to become a high flyer in a MNC but you just need to get past the initial interviews and medical checks with SIA (and of course try to pass all the test/exams as a cadet) to become a “high flyer” with SIA. By the way, i did not apply to become a pilot and therefore SIA got no chance to reject me at all. 
Reason why i am saying all these is because of the bloody attitude most pilots have. They walk, talk and behave like they are the elites of the society. Perhaps these arrogant pilots that i came across are just ignorant and are not aware that there are many other better-paid people around them.
Flyboysingapore Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 3:04 pm
LoL! I wasn’t a cadet to begin with. LoL! I’m corporate.
And I don’t have to defend my rice bowl. Cause even without one I can live comfortable (if you know what I mean) but I chose to follow my passion.
and you can never change culture. =D
You’ve only seen a airline pilots. you’ve totally forgotten the parachute ops pilots(crazily fun), test pilots, crop dusting pilots, sky writing pilots. you’ve only met like a handful and u already post judgement. just cause you’re anti pilot. who’s the shallow one here. you act like you know it all. typical i’m too good to listen singaporean. and you didn’t apply cause u dun even meet any of the requirements. i dun care who the hell you are but what pissed me off is that you generalize pilot over the handful you met. =D
anti-pilots 2 Says:
December 31st, 2009 at 10:45 pm
lol….why get so worked up? bet i hit the right spot…:) say all you want too and continue to assume that you are the elite…we bankers definitely earn more than you guys lol..loser
anti-pilots jst Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 2:54 pm
as ur bluf statements above.. u r the arrogance one… shame on u pathetic..
anti-pilots 2 Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 7:26 pm
bluf? arrogance one? lol….seems like i am right…you dont need much intelligence to become a pilot
..or should i say….you dont need much intelligent to become a pilot…LOL
anti-pilots 2 Says:
January 2nd, 2010 at 4:08 pm
what a bunch of lousy and dumb pilots lol
EagleDriver Says:
January 11th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
to anti-pilot
What’s wrong with being a diploma holder and our supposedly low IQ compared with maybe er…yours?
As the saying goes, a monkey could learn to fly if given time to learn…
In your case, maybe the monkey can teach you how to fly…if you can first pass the psycho-motor exam(Check it up on wiki if you don’t know what this is Mr Banker)
EagleDriver Says:
January 11th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
And btw flyboy
Cool it…ain’t worth the effort
Kick the Tire, Light the Fire flyboys!
future pilot Says:
January 15th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
People has dream, anti-pilot. You cannot criticized all pilots from your general point of view. I am not a pilot, but has a dream of becoming one.
But have you ever asked yourself if what you really wanted to be in life is to count money and worry about other people’s accounts?
When you ask a child what would they want to be, you would hardly or NEVER hear, “I want to be a banker.”
As you see, Pilots are the “common” dream job in any child’s wishlist. And as these children grows and realizes that to be a pilot takes a lot of effort and determination (not to forget sacrifices and MONEY), business courses are the only ones reachable.
And I understand that you have encountered arrogant pilots, but again, have you ever asked yourself on why these pilots marched with heads high? Well, a pilot is a captain/leader leading a team. You can’t lead without the confidence and show the passengers that they can trust you.
And in regards to your complain about pilots raking up huge salaries by JUST taking off, you should understand that they’re not just “taking off” with the plane. But is taking their “life” and “time” with them, just to have the job done to people who are traveling for whatever reason, like you.
I am in finance industry , earning 6 figures monthly and has been saving up to take up the course of commercial pilot. At 32, you might think of me as some oldie who is a desperate wanna-be. But, because of my financial crisis when I was younger, to be a pilot seemed far. Well, I just got my student pilot and private pilot licenses.
And now, all I can say to those who are against pilots, it’s never to late to start dreaming and learning, I KNOW YOU HATE YOUR JOBS.
Don’t let money dominate and stop you of what you REALLY want to be. And seriously? I’ve never heard of “passion” in working as a banker.
wow Says:
January 15th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
future pilot: you are earning SIX figures monthly. that’s SEVEN figures yearly.
you sure you’re in the finance industry and not heading the finance MINISTRY?
Amazed Says:
January 15th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I am no banker but six figures are very common for the top 3 (perhaps less) percent of people working in the finance industry if you include bonus. I’ve heard from people that in Singapore finance there are people with 1 million dollar (SGD) salary and 500k bonus. That’s a little bit strange to me since usually it’s the bonus component that’s really big (I think American MDs are generally paid maybe 400k USD in salary and millions in bonuses) but maybe that’s a Singapore thing.
wow Says:
January 15th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
very common for the top 3 percent in finance means it’s very uncommon in general!
Amazed Says:
January 15th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Sorry wow, but your earlier statement seemed to indicate that working in the finance industry is financially less rewarding than working in the finance ministry. I was simply trying to indicate that one need not be at the top in the finance industry to earn more than the finance minister.
Amazed Says:
January 15th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
And by top I meant the CEO. Top 3% is still literally a couple thousand i.e 1 or 2 thousand people (I think).
funny Says:
January 16th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
If future pilot earns a 6 figure monthly i dun think he needs to save up for his license? 6 mths and he’s set up for life.
Either it’s a typo or he means he earns $xxxx.00 – also six figures what
obviously Says:
January 16th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
obviously this “Amazed” is bullshitting. I guess he must be a pilot who is trying to fight for his own kind by using a profile from the financial industry to rebutt the banker. As what they always say, you can bullshit whatever you want in this forum and nobody will know the truth.
obviously Says:
January 16th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
do you think that a person earning 6 figure monthly will spend his time at home surfing salary.sg and trying to talk sense into others?
Amazed: piece of advice to you. try to use a more realistic figure if you want to bullshit in future. maybe 20-40k a mth is more reasonable.
Amazed Says:
January 16th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
No I am not a pilot, but I am not a banker either. Never said I was one. Now, I am really AMAZED that I’ve been called out as bullshitting. Nowadays, all a person needs to do is just do a google search to do some basic verification (I am also aware that not all sites are legit). Here’s one: http://www.careers-in-finance.com/i.... Just cross check it with many other websites and the figures will differ little. In fact, why not go to bloomberg.com to see all the bonus furors.
There’s a section whereby it says that bonus components will grow 2 or 3 times of salary as you become more senior and the salary number includes bonuses.
By the way this is for the United States, but if you cut off 30-40 percent from that number for Singapore you are still looking at a very significant number.
What’s only obvious here is that Obviously can’t stand the fact that there are people earning way more than him/her
Amazed Says:
January 16th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
As to the fact of people earning 6 figure monthly logging on to this site, that’s simple, only people interested in becoming rich or already rich will be interested in this type of site to see how they compare to others, or perhaps to brag or for some of us to learn something.
obviously Says:
January 16th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Amazed: i agree with you that there are pple who earn such money but just not u
come on, basic common sense can tell anyone of us here that someone who earns 6 figure a mth dont even bother to come to such website so u can stop your act. u r just like “ronaldo” who likes to brag in this forum LOL
Amazed Says:
January 16th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Indeed, it’s not me, anybody can go back through my statements and I’ve never said I earn six figures. My original argument was that you don’t have to a minister of finance to earn to earn 6 figures a month just top 3 percent in investment banking and that includes Singapore. I didn’t say I belong on that top 3 percent just stating a fact.
Andrew Says:
January 27th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Flyboysingapore and EagleDriver can you give me some advice and tips on getting into SIA?
I am currently studying a Degree in Chemistry. And doing my CPL part time in Adelaide. I am going to get my PPL soon. I am singaporean 23. Have finished my NS. I heard from somewhere that its good to be an officer when you served your NS because SIA likes people who have expereinced leadership roles?
Any advice you can spare me? can I have your email too? mine is ac87_@hotmail.com
23? Says:
January 27th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Andrew: I went for the interview when i was 24 but i got rejected. They told me that they usually take in 26 years old and above for Singaporeans. Not sure how true this is (maybe they were just looking for an excuse to reject me) but you can check with the guys here. If this is true, you will have to wait for 3 more years at least (unless you are non-singaporean).
c172 Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:54 am
antipilot: you are god damn loser. being a pilot requires the ability to handle stress at 40,000 feet, ability to handle difficult situations with hundreds of passengers’ life which includes children… all in your hands. you think of your family, you think of losing your job, you think of everything when handling the aircraft. dont you dare compare a job of a pilot with a job in an MNC. Its not an apple to apple comparison. What proof have you got that pilots are arrogant. How about you. So what if you work in an MNC? You are so pathetic, you criticise a person’s career? Do you know what a pilot has to go thru during training? Do you know what kind of skills a pilot has to have before he gets to fly on autopilot??? Do you know what kind of pressure they went thru when there is a problem? I dont think you have all that while working in an MNC. Yes, working in an MNC has its pressure but not something that involves the lives of 300 pax!!! Seriously, I should leave you alone and watch you keep on writing your typical loser statements but I have got this strong urge to give you my 2 cents worth. If you dont know what it takes, dont criticise. Not asking you to admire pilots, just respect! You dont even have respect for another person’s career, you dont deserve to work in an MNC!
please Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
What utter rubbish, literally cos its pure rubbish being uttered.. LOL. People in the finance industry earning six figures common enough to be top 3%? f yourself in the mirror while taking your self-esteem meds loser.
9 out of 10 people in the finance industry are in back office doing ops making even less than directors in GLCs, let alone try to compare themselves with AOs in the ministries. And he’s here BS-ing that it’s not difficult in the finance industry to make more than the person heading the finance ministry.
What a dreamer!
please Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Amazed, even a frog croaking in Singapore knows that the banking sector here do not even 30% of the pay dished out in the US banking industry. It can compare with the US baking industry, maybe.
The American IB sector before the Obama admin paid out high bonuses with a lower base salary, and hire and fire freely and easily. Bonuses are more restrained in European and British banks, but IBankers are less likely to lose their jobs.
The pay in Singapore don’t even measure up to the salary given out in Europe and UK,…BY HALF!
Not to mention even a dog knows that in the finance sector here, 9 out of 10 people..are hoi pollois losers from local universities in the back office..doing OPS!! Their pay is even less than their farmer counterparts in GLCs and farmer graduates in the public sector.
Don’t believe? Go check out Management Associate trainees in DB and Citi starting salary for farmer grad $2.5K for DB..Citi even less.
Farmer graduate from NUS/NTU/SMU who sign on to teach, starting pay $2.8k LOL
If you need to bring in the ‘bonus’ argument, you may like to know somethings
1) Back office slaves aka farmers of banking sector don’t get many months of bonuses anyway.
2) The bonus multiplied with their lacklustre salaries, in totality make them even more poorly paid than a farmer SAF sign-on.
3) if you have to bring in bonuses of a few measly months- the reality of the finance sector in the last few years- multiplied by the pathetic pay they get, as the recourse to buttress your laughable wild “easy to make six figures MONTHLY claim”, you look stupid. LOL.
Andrew Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Hi anyone working in banking industry? My girlfriend just graudated and is contemplating whether to go in banking. Which banks have better benefits for fresh grads?
Thank you
goldman Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 10:06 am
try goldman sachs.
depends Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
It depends. What are her credentials?
A more realistic salary that someone in banking that achieve, if he is not a trader, is about $5k and that is through sales.
Back office people, who form a large component of a bank’s headcount should expect between mid $2k as starting salaries, and maybe go up to $3-4k after 3 years. Seriously their pay can suck LOL. They’re better off selling their prides and doing sales job in the bank.
Sales jobs in banks such as relationship managers earn about $5k, highest for the better sales people about $8k, but that is the salaries of very good and aggressive insurance agents too.
There is no way six figures is common in the Singapore banking sector, except for THE ONE CEO position. *rolls eyes. Top 3% make 5 figure, not 6.
rsm870 Says:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
What’s wrong with being an Airline pilot? And for those who seem to think that airline pilots strut then too bad… How come whenever I see pilots, they love their job…? Or am I just too [un]lucky?
But what about military pilots? Those who get to train in T-50s and F-16s and F-15s as well! Surely they don’t get paid as much but they are still on the receiving end of the “pilots are too proud” campaign. I mean… You have the money for donations to the government? To pay for 100 UAVs to replace jet fighter pilots? And donations for SIA so they can buy 797s with full autopilot/comms systems?
What on earth?! I’m only 15… why is this thread going like this heh
Scorpio Says:
February 10th, 2010 at 12:57 am
I would feel a pilot’s life to be more fulfilling than a bankers.
Thanks to the money that keeps our national carriers flying however, every flight is different and i feel that when you take off to the skies, you get a real deal of what life is.
Life should not be measured by the amount of time you spend making money to enjoy it as in the case of looking at making more money constantly but life should be measured by the moments which draws your breathe away in which case i would definitely vouch for every flight into the sky.
Come on bankers, earn more money so you can enjoy life more. Come on pilots, continue to fly high and think to yourselves, they actually pay me to do this?-fly into the skies and bask again in the breath-taking moment.
Btw, in the case of 2012(movie) it was the pilot who got the fat arse of a russian billionaire out in the first place. Talk about the real stuff and not just printed papers. Get real.
3rd party Says:
February 10th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Scorpio: your views are obviously from a 3rd party’s perspective. Go interview some of the pilots in SIA and you will find them complaining about their job as well.
lucky Says:
February 11th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
rsm870, military pilots do not get paid less than SIA pilots. In fact, the ones you cited like F16 are paid far far more than the average SIA pilot in their 1st 10 years of their careers.
FYI SIA pilots get really $hit pay until they hit a certain seniority of Captain and most SIA pilots make Captain in their late 30s, whereas military pilots are very well paid right at the start, and their pay can most certainly match that of senior SIA pilots who make Captain.
Military pilots have a rank, so of course their pay is partially determined by their rank. In any case, I’m very sure the Chief of Air Force who’s a 2 star general is paid more than any SIA pilot.
Andrew Says:
February 13th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Dear lucky,
Are you currently working in the RSAF or did u work there before? You said that pilots in the RSAF are paid better than SIA pilots and that this only apply to the fighter pilots? I thought that SIA pilots earn more with the allowances and per diem payments?
Or is it SIA pilots USED TO EARN more and now the trend is the opposite?
Do military pilots who fly cargo/transport get paid more than SIA pilots? (comapre a LTA with a degree against a FO with degree both fly same class of a/c)
I have been hearing rumours that now RSAF pilots are paid better than SIA pilots. But then again maybe this is only in thier first 10 years of service.
Hope you can clear my doubts.
Thanks you
Andrew
john Says:
February 13th, 2010 at 10:44 am
can we have a pay scale for both RSAF and SIA pilots? that should clear things up
lucky Says:
February 17th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
What I said was it’s a fallacy that SQ pilots are paid more than military pilots.
Military pilots are very well-paid. In general, their salaries are benchmarked against commercial pilots because majority of military pilots go to SIA after their retirement. It was previously set at 45 for COL and above and extended to 50. When they go to SIA, the hours they clocked as military pilots are taken into account to derive their payscale and rank. That is why they don’t move over as FO. Both military and commercial pilots are paid and their careers assessed by flying hours.
Second, it’s only commonsensical that SAF pilots are not paid less than SQ pilots. The payscales of occupations are determined by market forces and all about supply and demand. If they are paid much less, they are be emptied of their pilots. Its that simple. if SIA pays its pilots or stewardesses much less than other airlines, the same result will happen. This is just common sense.
Since the pay is competitive all round, the pay of fighter pilots would most definitely be competitive, if not surpassing FOs.
Military pilots are paid full salaries while studying, while the converse happens for commercial pilots who are paid a little allowance during their training of almost two years, not to mention that Singaporeans may only apply to SIA pilot at 26 years and up, which means when they finish training they’re 29.
lucky Says:
February 18th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
BTW there was an ST news report some time ago about the strikes and negotiations between SIA and its pilot union that reported the salaries of its highest paid and top pilots. based on that figure, they’re paid at most like a full colonel air force pilot.
I doubt they make as much as a BG.
Andrew Says:
February 18th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Dear lucky,
Thank you for your replies. Who do you think has better welfare? SIA or RSAF haha. My bet is actually on RSAF since its governement service so cant be too bad. (like every year must clear leave) haha.
Another question for you lucky, are you sure that Singaporean males can only apply at a min age of 26? I last heard it was 24. Where did you get this information?
Thanks
Happy at FL320 Says:
March 9th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
to anti-pilot: i may not earn as much as you CLAIM to earn..but at least I earned something that no one can take away from me…that is my happiness..my happiness that i followed my dream & passion. My happpiness that I DO NOT DREAD each and every time i travel on the ecp towards the airport FOR WORK.My happiness that I am doing something that I had wanted since I was a kid. My happiness that i am able to provide a so called service to my pssengers(bringing them to their destination).
I am happy. are you? you can rebut me with all a long list of what you are happy with about your job..what what I am really asking is.. ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY INSIDE? just ask yourself, thats good enough.
cheers
anti-pilots 2 Says:
March 10th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Happy at FL320: good for you. i am happy being a banker too because i love servicing people and i love the returns. Most importantly, i love my aston martin and landed property. I may not achieve my dreams of a ferrari or lambo yet but i am well on my way there.
Andrew Says:
March 10th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Dear Anti-pilot,
Why you so rude… you call people arrogant then you yourself hao lian say got landed property got aston martin then want to buy ferrari. Dont you think by doing that you area also being arrogant? hiaz… I know you earn alot but dont shoot down other people dream lar. I also like you all banker alot I want to know how you guys make money and how you guys study stocks. I am going to get my Privot pilot licence soon and working towards my Commercial Pilot Licence. Next time if I can make it to SIA earn alot of money I sure ask you how to invest one since you know how to make money. So all pilots out there please dont hate anti pilot too… sometime people in the heat of things then say wrong stuff. We all can sing the purple paedophillic dinosaur anthem “i love you you love me…” haha. Anyway anti pilot do you like helpe people invest money? I dont really know hwat a banker does.
Thanks
abcde Says:
March 12th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Just a clarification, bulge bracket banks defo pay more then the figures quoted in this thread for DBS or citi or watever. Unless you are talking about Citigroup. And I am referring to the so called ‘back office’ roles as well.
David seah Says:
March 15th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
To Anti-pilot, wow bro you seem like to bare a deep grudge against pilots in general. Whether you are a real banker or not. Whether you are really making that much. Only yourself will know. You can lie but you cannot bluff god. Seriously, what makes you think that pilots don own fast cars or landed property. I am flying corporate and personally know someone from a humble beginning to his present position of a senior captain in one of the local carrier. This humble chap bought a floor of The Sail condo and at least 20 units of condos stretching from Tanjong Rhu to Bayshore area. Has a nice 20 footer boat for recreation. I am just wondering are u able to achieve that in this lifetime. Be happy with yourself don be a sour grape and sound like Ronaldo. Cheers
kacau kacau Says:
March 15th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
if you link anti-pilot’s IP address to his web surfing record you will find him most likely to be … .. ..
…. a flight steward!!! haha…. no wonder so bitter
ROFL Says:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:49 am
nice one, kacau kacau…
Andrew Says:
March 16th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Dear David Seah,
Hi I am Andrew. Can I have the email address of your senior captain freind? I am taking my Commercial pilot licence and I would like to get some advice on what it really takes to be a pilot. I would be very grateful to you.
Thanks
David seah Says:
March 18th, 2010 at 2:58 am
Dear Andrew, post yr question here.I am sure many other aviators here can assist u or drop u any link for follow up. If you are really taking your Cpl. I am sure you already get to feel the exciting career that awaits you. Good luck
Andrew Says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Yup I am REALLY taking my CPL haha.. But this website is more for talking about salary than it is about flying though… Oh well its ok if you cant give me his email address. Thought I can try haha. Just trying to get to know more pilots to get a feel of what is it really to fly for big airlines. I have already flown alomst 50 hours and every hour of it has been exciting especially cross country in australia.
Thanks for your reply david
Best regards
Andrew
David Seah Says:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Hi Andrew,
It’s ok not to worry and also not doubting about your CPL course. Just that aviation in Singapore is somewhat limited. Either you are selected and sponsored as a cadet for national carrier or choose the RSAF career path. It’s limited corporate jet world here and also budget carriers opportunity. Even with your Aussie licence, you might need to get validation from CAAS or even do some papers here to qualify to fly 9V planes.
Flying for a big airline obviously has got it’s perks such as relatively good base salary, top up with all the other allowances. You get to enjoy a decent and comfortable lifestyle for sure than many other Singaporeans if you do not get in big ticket items and luxury.
Work wise it’s almost the same with bi annual basechecks and an annual medical examination. Airlines have got good insurance for their pilots in case of a loss of licence whereas corporate world, u are covered limited and have to purchase outside for a more comfortable sum payout in case of loss of licence.
All the best to your flying career choice and company. Cheers
David
Andrew Says:
March 19th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Yeah I agree with you that aviation is limited in singapore. Its either RSAF or SIA. ITs not like australia where they have so many different kind of piloting jobs. Do you know whats the min age for SIA is it still 26? I hate that rule. Coz when i get my degree and licence i will be 24. Thats a 2 year gap. And if i dont fly i am going to lose my motor skills. I hope that rule is taken away. Its not fair I already have serve my time in the army as an officer so I feel i have already given my best and shouldnt be hindered by this. Our malaysian freinds are becoming captains by 30 while we can only be captains by 36. Werid how our country system is sometime. Serve your country but lose out to others in the corporate world… Its a good country though and I DONT HATE MALAYSIANS
serious. HAIZ sibei sian… Finding job in Australia also not easy, dont even talk about flying jobs. Anybody know of any flying job please POST HERE haha.
Once again thank you david for your reply.
hmmm seems like quite a while since we heard from anti pilot… haha
Best regards
Andrew
jeremy Says:
March 19th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
hope i don’t get flamed, but i kind of agree with anti-pilot.
from the requirements on the SIA website, it doesn’t take much to become one. on the eq side of things, pilots aren’t required to have any inter-personal skills either.
but pilots are still well paid, maybe because demand exceeds supply, or because it is considered a risky job.
of course, pilots have a huge responsibility to safeguard the lives of passengers on board… but essentially they just perform the role of bus drivers. put aside the perceived ‘glamour’ of the profession, and i wonder how much job satisfaction there can be from just transporting people around.
jeremy Says:
March 19th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
ok i retract the low requirements point that i made earlier… read that SIA only take in candidates with good degrees.
and singaporean SIA pilots essentially only start their careers at 28. so the salary somewhat compensates for this.
still, my point is, it’s just a job transporting people around.
David seah Says:
March 20th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Dear Jeremy, you will be surprised to know that many other walks of profession chaps have left their old profession for good and embraced flying as a long term career in Singapore. Just to name of a few former engineers, lawyers, doctors, financial consultant, business owners even oil traders. If you think that being a pilot is just another( high class bus driver). Then you have very wrong perception on this career. Potential candidates these days applying with the national carrier as a pilot have outstanding results and credentials like double degrees, Masters and even Phd holders are applying. If you think so lowly of pilots why are all these high flyers in their respective jobs quit to become a pilot ? I don have to explain further if you are matured and educated enough to think it over. Happy weekend
David Seah Says:
March 20th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Hi Andrew, I am not too sure about that criteria yet to be confirm with my crew friends in SIA.
Actually if you love flying as a career, you could have sign up as a professional RSAF pilot during your full time Ns. It will definitely be more marketable on your CPL credential if you have an instructor rating as well but again of cos when you apply, it’s up to them to decide if you are the one whom they willing to groom towards your Captaincy eventually.
All the best.
jeremy Says:
March 20th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
i do not disagree that a number of engineers, lawyers, doctors and bankers changed their professions to become pilots. but this in itself does not tell us anything.
what are the real motivations behind their change in profession? is it because they think transporting people around is more important than savings lives or fighting for justice etc? or is it really because they feel that being a pilot is an easier job with good pay and perceived glamour?
of course i do not deny that pilots have the responsibility of an expensive machine and many lives on board. but the inescapable fact is that pilots do only transport people around, isn’t it?
anti-pilots Says:
March 20th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Andrew: Reason why i kept quiet is because i have been busy with my clients lately and i dont see a point in arguing further since most of you who opposed to what i said here are pilots or pilots-wannabe.
I still stand by my own points and views and i believe that it would be fairer to listen to someone from a neutral standpoint instead of getting current pilots to voice out their own perspectives.
Jeremy: i dont think you need to retract your statement on the low requirements to become a SIA pilot. My colleague’s brother got into SIA as a pilot as well and he is only a diploma holder from TP.
Have spoken to him before and he cannot even speak in proper english (let alone fluently). If you read the earlier messages carefully, you would have noticed similarities here as well (except for David who has a good command of english but i guess that is because he is a corporate pilot and not a SIA pilot). So i guess i dont need to prove my point any further.
David seah Says:
March 21st, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Hi Jeremy, what I can say is that you got be at the controls of a multi million us dollars jet plane to feel the exhilarating sensation at every take off n landings. To you and people who have different individual opinions about piloting career or pilots in general, all I have to say is you will sincerely appreciate the guys flying you and your family on holiday to your destination safe n sound. I will always give the utmost respect to my friends in the airline industry Such as the hero airbus Capt in Hudson river for if not for their professionalism and skills in piloting planes, many groups of people would have turn into widows or widowers, suffer theloss of their love ones.
David seah Says:
March 21st, 2010 at 3:30 pm
To lucky, your statement that rsaf pilot rank such as COL don join the airline industry as FO. I think you must be kidding! I have friends who are ex squadron commanders all starting out as 2nd officers together with ab initio cadets if u know what I mean. Yes they do suffer massive paycuts compared to airforce time. But in the long run when they get their captaincy, they get to enjoy the best lifestyle many would yearn to sample. One excellent privilage I learn is captain and his family will get to enjoy First Class travel whenever seats are available. Do rsaf pilots get that ? Cheers
Andrew Says:
March 21st, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Dear david and antipilot.
Nice to hear from you all again. First is anti pilot. How come TP only can get in ? He must be like super super lucky haha. Did he do his own licecne before signing up? or he has like NO FLIGHT EXPERIENCE. Coz if its the latter then his really damn lucky. Is he still in the running of getting his wings? You didnt really speicfy right? all you said was he got into SIA as a pilot. I mean cadet also cadet pilot right? Dont worry not shooting you down. Just really find it interesting that Diploma holder got in. MAybe he knows his aeroplanes really well. And EVERYBODY PLEASE DONT BURN ME but anti pilot is right about one thing har, pilot need to be good with spoken english. Coz there was crash between saudi arabian 747 and a kazastan plane exactly because of that. However anti pilot can you dont be so anti pilot? haha I mean lets take for example those sports player. They would most probably fall into the low academic requirement catagory but they earn alot right? then like that you also dont respect them lar? I guess for pilot its more of skill i think than the risk. There is a pilot saying its safer to fly than have unprotected sex haha dont know heard this from where. I know there is AUTOPILOT. But like david said about the hudson river if not for his skill everybody can go to heaven. Sports player i think also are like that. You see REAL MADRID buy C.Ronaldo sp $$$$$. Only good at kicking free kick. But he kick most of hte time score, good enough what. So decisive player so he can command such a pay. But looking at it he only got ONE SKILL. SOCCER!. PILOT also only one SKILL = FLY! yeah.. so was hoping maybe you could soften your views abit. Anyway I also feel other pilots out there shouldnt hate anti pilot. Why? Who knows one day you go to anti pilot as a client need to invest your money then how? So ironic right? Well I would haha if he anti pilot so good at making money no harm learning right? Eh anti pilot cannot cheat my money yeah
David thanks for your replies again. Its always nice to see people typing stuff here cna learn more things. Such as ex squaron commander start as 2nd officer. Quite sad leh… Serve your country then like that at least should start as FO mah. Can I ask your freinds who went over to SIA after RSAF was this recently? And yeah I did try to take teh RSAF computer test I FAILED!!! So have to wait 2.5 years before cna take again. By that time also ORD arleady. Go australia study so might as well learn here. Oh yeah and are you really coporate pilot? Can tell me how to get in?
oh yeah anti pilot eh I am taking my Commerical Pilot licence I know my english isnt super but i choose to talk like this here in this forum coz i guess its a singapore one right. So can relax realx singlish singlish a litte yeah? haha. Dont worry when I talk to control tower very perfect one haha accent also must fake if not hte aussie dont understand me
kacau kacau Says:
March 21st, 2010 at 5:59 pm
From my contacts….there’s currently an ex-BG doing his pilot training in Seletar. YES!!! This guy wears a star on his shoulder and commands armies in the RSAF and yet he’s starting off as a cadet pilot.
This fact can easily be verified by dropping by the Flying College to take a peep
anti-pilots Says:
March 21st, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Andrew: Nope, no licence. What i heard and understood was that the guy joined SIA as cadet pilot. Fresh from the oven after working for a few years. He applied straight away at the age of 26 years old as a DIPLOMA holder. Got it? Infact, i HEARD that it is not uncommon to have diploma holders in SIA as cadet pilots or pilots. He is currently undergoing his cadet pilot training in Perth so i guess he is STILL in the running. Were you from a local polytechnic as well?
jeremy Says:
March 21st, 2010 at 11:40 pm
it is true that i’ve never flown a plane before. but as exhilarating the joys of taking off and landing, surely they will run out. and not to mention the mundanity that could occur in between these 2 events. as for life-threatening scenarios, surely that is also a rarity.
thing is, as passengers we expect to land safely at our destination. it is the least the pilot should do. as for appreciation, all i can say is that pilots are being well-paid. and we passengers are the ones indirectly paying them.
to me, pilots don’t seem to be well-paid because they are smart or talented. it’s just that airplanes need pilots and pilots have the control of an expensive machine and many lives on board. in the end, all that is needed to be a pilot is a couple of years in flight school. and from the discussion here, it is not even difficult to get in.
David seah Says:
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:09 am
Hi Kacau, You are very well informed indeed. Yes one can be as high as his rank in the force in the past but flying for an airline is totally different ball game. Got to learn from the basics.
Hi Jeremy, maybe you don share the passion of flying hence you will never really understand the joy and personal satisfaction of being in control of a plane. All I can comment further is that no matter how rich one Can be or greatest earning power one could achieve. If You don have the cut, don have the substance to survive the flying training and regulatory tests. One will never get the chance to earn the licence to fly a real airliner, not simulated ones like the flight experience at the Singapore flyer. Nevertheless, all the best to your choice of career. Cheers
David seah Says:
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:24 am
Hello Andrew, getting employed locally with a corporate job is limited. Firstly it is a small niche Market, lucrative in it’s own sense for eg. One could be flying for a billionaire or a CEO who owns a multi million dollars private jet. You will be his personal pilot for all his business or recreation travel.
You could be flying world wide on long range gulfstream with some big name private jet company eg netjets from the states. Other area of corporate job is air ambulance with SOS international. But most of these jobs requires trained crew who have vast experience in worldwide operations.
jeremy Says:
March 22nd, 2010 at 9:44 am
yeah, i suppose i don’t have the passion to be seated at the cockpit for hours doing nothing much the whole time. i prefer doing something more than just transporting people around.
from what i gather, flight school passing rates are very high. i suppose if one can’t make it as a doctor/lawyer/banker, then being a pilot is a great choice. don’t need very high qualifications but still well paid.
David seah Says:
March 22nd, 2010 at 10:28 am
Hi Jeremy, I am very happy for you that you have found a career doing much better things than just transporting people around if that’s how you still perceive pilots.
Flight school passing rate high I assume you are refering about self sponsored candidates only. If you can obtain validated satistics on rsaf trainees and airline ab initio cadets, you will find that not many make the cut and got terminated.
Have fun
andrew Says:
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Hi anitipilot, hey nice to hear from you again. Wahliew that freind of yours with the diploma i think last life do alot of good deeds so now so lucky! Or maybe like I said before he DID HEAPS OF RESEARCH ON SIA haha. I am from Singapore Poly. now studying in Australia. Quick question for Antipilot. I guess you are some really good bnaker right. Do you think the economy is going to brust again in like 5 years time? Heard some rumour running around it will.
Also BIG HI to David Seah. You got any tips like how to get into Private Jet flying? Like how to sign up for that netjet and those Air SOS companies? You know what are the minimum requirements? How long have you been a corporate pilot?
Third Hi to jeremy. I just finish one navigation lesson yesterday. As everyone will know landing and take of is the busiest time true. But once at cruising height after engaging the autopilot. I have many checks to run through. Its called CLEAROF
Compass
Log flight
Engine Tempt and Pressure
Altitude
Radio right frequency and what the next frequency
Oreintation on the map
Fuel enough left and when is time to change tanks
(Engine one the most jialat got a few guages to look at haha but hey better to find a problem earlier than later right?)
I know it looks like 7 steps only but hey, try doing it every 15min. For like a 6 hour flight. Can be quite tiring leh. And you cant do it without auto pilot coz once you disengage it yoru plane dont know fly onto what heading arleady. ALL PILOTS OUT THERE PLEASE DONT HATE ME. But at first i also thought that autopilot is like how a cheat code is to a computer game. Unitl I starting to learn how to navigate cross country. I tell you seriously no autopilot is damn hard to fly far. Before you can log down your position and how much fuel you have and other stuff you need to re adjust the plane again. And dont forget at different altitudes wind direction is different. So yeah it gets really hard. I know jumbo jets are huge and fly very high so maybe checking altitude isnt that important as i dotn think there are any mountain ranges 32000ft high haha. And its so heavy so you need really strong winds but sometimes it happens that winds are strong enough. I am sure its not EXACTLY the same with coporate jets and commercial airlines. But I bet they got lots of systems to monitor. And they always have to plan one step ahead. To all professional Pilots out there who see this if i say something wrong dont get angry ok? I still learning only so far did only 4 navigation exercise.
I hope by saying this jeremy you wont feel like we are that free in the air haha. And you have a good point that flight school passing rate is very high. One thing is because they want to haolian. Second thing is usually its self sponsered by the students. So well its like if the student LOUSY or not so good then pay more learn the lesson again until pass lor. So you could say somebody with NO SKILL can train until got skill but it would take HEAPS LOAD OF MONEY AND TIME. I kena this before narbei cant get my landing right at first haha. Had to do 2 more lesson si bei pai seh… Also once a south african captain that i met at the airfield I train at he said you could teach a monkey to fly if you had enough tiem and resources. (PILOTS PLEASE DONT HATE ME FOR SAYING THIS!
) maybe thats a bit extreme lar seriously.. But yeah with enough money and time you could teach anyone to fly its not that hard. But its hard once you go long distance. Commercial and private flights are pretty long and you have to sit there and just keep monitoring instruments from tiem to time and do it day in day out regardless on your sleep pattern is really becoems hard. So pilots have to be concentrated for long periods of time to be able to detect problems early on before it spirals out of control. Like goal keepers sometiems the whole match really zuo bo lan one but has to react quickly to just one or 2 shots in the game that can be the equilser which will then spur the opposition team on to win. He maybe just stand in between the post for alomst 1 hour plus nothing to do but then suddenly wah! diving safe. I am not saying pilots do nothing after take off I arleady told you about the checks. Yes after you become seasoned the checks dont seem so difficult but you still MUST DO THEM. AND BE ALERT ENOUGH NOT TO DO THEM BLINDLY AND DETECT ERRORS IF THERE ARE EARLY ON. And another thing dont forget to check the place you are landing at has REFUELING SERVICES and a hotel for your passenger to rest haha. I alsmot forget to call for refueling services one HAHAHA.
And my last hi is to Kacau. Wah i want to cry for those senior officers who cross over to SIA. Really leh how can like that one… cadet/ 2nd officer. They have so much flight experience what seriously. Somemore serve their country SO MANY YEARS. I feel the governemtn should do something about this lar. Seriously man.. haiz I really feel for them. DAMN UNFAIR!
ok lar till we meet again see you all hope to see more people posting stuff here on this forum. eh anti pilot got money making tips must share leh
haha. We make money you make commision everyone happy haha
jeremy Says:
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:13 pm
hi david i do believe i’ve found a much more meaningful career, especially after this discussion. i notice that u’ve not said anything to rebut the fact that pilots only do just fly people around. in truth i do not think that u could.
but do not get me wrong. everyone one has a place in society and bus drivers, taxi drivers, they are all very important.
if my son grows up and can’t really score well in school, i’ll probably get him to be a pilot too. it’s a respectable, well-paying job. and from what i gather here, it’s really rather easy to get into flight school and graduate from it.
David Seah Says:
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Hello Jeremy,
It’s alright. As professional aircrew, I am sure many of the other pilots reading this forum page echo that we do our job to the best ability, we not only fly professionally and also exercised plenty of opportunity to PR and mingle with our guests/passengers.
Off duty we enjoy life to the fullest. No need to rebut any of your view points at all as you are entitled to your own opinion. As this is a public forum, you are free to express your views unconditionally.
Have a great evening Jeremy
jeremy Says:
March 22nd, 2010 at 9:41 pm
of cos of cos, i’m sure many of us do our jobs to the very best of our abilities. especially since the only job of the pilot is to get passengers to their destination, i certainly hope that pilots at least get this right.
as for PR, i certainly hope it is only before and after the flight. just like we won’t want bus drivers to take their eyes off the road, do we?
and from some of the remarks i’ve read here from supposed pilots, i guess its better that they do not speak so much.
and off work i agree we should all do the best we can to enjoy life. i try to lead an equally meaningful life on and off work.
anti-pilots 2 Says:
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:21 am
jeremy: totally agree with you
Aaron Says:
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Wow I’m surprised to see the requirements (or lack of it) to become a pilot. I wonder why not more people are applying to be one. Increase the publicity of the salary received by pilots and I’m sure there will be more qualified applicants. Then the standards will be raised and we won’t be left with a bunch of poly grads flying our planes.
But I agree that some of the comments from pilots here really reflect badly on them. See the comment by the MAS pilot above! Seriously I’m going to think twice about taking a MAS flight from now on.
Andrew Says:
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Hi again david seah,
Could I ask which comapany your first flying job was with?
And how did you find out about it? ( i think you are not from SIA right?)
Whats the biggest con you think pilots face?
Thanks
Best regards
Andrew
David seah Says:
March 29th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Hi Andrew, at your stage of training. I strongly suggest you concentrate on getting your cpl and Atpl first. Everthing about applying for an Airline info can be found via askcaptainlim.com. As for cons for pilot, post this question on his web and wait for his reply. To me, it’s the best job in the world, just imagine a company employs you to operate their multi million$ flying machines, put you and your crew up in world class hotels during layover and best is every trip is a holiday vacation trip on of you are getting paid handsomely to do all that.
All the best to your training.
Karl Says:
April 4th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Dear Andrew (and all other readers),
Stumbled across this thread and I have to say the maturity in your posts could come from someone twice your age!
Flying is not easy, even with the automation that exists today. Most people feel that computers control flying and pilots do nothing. Personally, I feel that computers ARE useful and have allowed airlines to reduce their crew from 3 to 2. The 3rd position that was made redundant was not a pilot position. It was something called a flight engineer.
Theoretically, an aircraft can, after taking off, fly by computer to land at it’s destination. However, this is depends critically on the computers being allowed to fly exactly the route that is programmed.
If there are any changes at all to the flight (e.g. route, altitude and speed changes by ATC, which perhaps sound trivial but are difficult in execution and heavy in consequence), the workload becomes too much for the onboard computers and they actually become a burden — and pilots revert to a more basic mode of flying. In my experience, the number of times a flight goes exactly by the textbook are less than 10%. Meanwhile, the passengers sitting behind are unaware of, and do not wish to be aware of, the breadth and depth of workload going on in front.
I could go much further about the difficulties and proficiencies required to fly an aeroplane when the onboard systems fail, or the judgment required to make difficult decisions where the correct decision is far from clear. But I am running low on the reader’s indulgence
I would like to wish Andrew all the best in his flying career. You have the passion for flying and that is the only thing that will sustain you in today’s aviation climate. (I would also like to encourage you to keep sharpening your aviation skills. For Singapore cadets, CLEAROFF checks are routine and our Cessnas don’t have autopilots
)
Karl.
Andrew Says:
April 7th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Hi Karl,
Thank you for your comment i see arleady shy leh… haha.
Are you a commercial pilot? Or you work with aeroplanes really closely? e.g. air traffic control or youre the engineer.
I didnt know that aeroplanes could fly by computer all the way from take off until landing.(but of course it has to go EXACTLY TO PLAN which is NOT POSSIBLE) New thing learnt haha thanks for that.
I have a question I want to post here hopefuly David Seah and other experience pilots can see and guide me.
Right now I am coming to cross road in my CPL training. First a little background information. I have my ratings for Diamond DA20 C-1, Piper Archer and soon the Cirrus SR20.
Later in my course I will have the option to get a rating for another plane the CESSNA 206 and flying the remaining quarter of my CPL course in it. Its really expensive. And the chief instructor said if i dont want to I can fly the reminig part of my course in teh Archer or Cirrus. He said this because he knows that I want to try to get into SIA so he said if i am goign to find a flying job back in Singapore no point me doing the CESSNA package.
So my dilema is should I spend more money to get the extra rating or save it?
With the extra rating I can fly more planes that would make me more employable right?
But then whats the use of an extra rating if I dont have the oppurtunity to use it?
Or should i save the money and go to malaysia and get a CESSNA rating? haha
I hope to receive some advice on this.
Once again thank you Karl for the comments and info.
THanks
Andrew
Jay Says:
April 13th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Hello Everyone,
Is it true that SIA only recruits cadets who have obtained a degree?
I am a local poly grad working as engineer in a refinery and taking up my partime degree in engineering.
I wanted to try for the pilot cadet programme before attaining my degree as i am hitting 30 this year.
Seriously will quit my degree programe if i get into the programme.
Reading the comments posted is it really true that SIA only gives preference for guys with degree?
Please advice.
thanks
Jay
Andrew Says:
April 13th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Hi Jay,
Andrew here well i dont think the right word to use is preference. Coz think about it if you go for the interview and the other has a degree and you dont then if the both of you are on par on all other factors then i guess its only right that they pick the degree holder right? If everyone is a poly then ok lor have to use some other way of segrating people.
You dont need a degree to fly, you need a licence. So I guess if i was diploma holder but if I have a commercial pilot licence(non expired) and have been flying recently i think i would have a really bigger chance of being accepted than someone who maybe even has a masters.
But i would continue to get my degree coz well you know sometimes shit happens? Somemore for commercial pilot you need Class 1 medical so like your whole body better be tok kong (healthy) haha. Next time older already if got any sickness, choi lar of course! then how? they take away your class 1 medical then you can suck thumb arleady.
Anyone out there read my post before this one? anyone got advice for me about the ratings? I more than happy to hear from experienced people
Best regards
Andrew
OMG Says:
April 13th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Andrew: Are you sure that you are a degree holder? I am just a diploma holder but i think i can speak much better than you~
Andrew Says:
April 13th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Helo OMG,
Eh i dont have a degree not yet anyway haha. working my way towards one dont worry its not an english degree or some major in enlgish literature. By the way I thought this was kinda like a Singaporean forum where you can speak singlish…
Oh well everyone is entitled to an opinion I guess. Anyway I guess you might be right too since I also used some (actually quite a bit some not too clean ones haha) hokkein words in my comments. So guess that might have made it incoherent.
Anyway I do admit that my english isnt perfect queen’s english but i guess the people in australia have no real problems with understanding me. And also the control tower where I fly at doesnt seem to have problems undersatnd me or me understanding them. My flight instructors are fine with my radio calls and english conversation.
But hey I am always open to anyone who can help me further improve my english and other traits.
Thanks
Andrew
Andrew Says:
April 13th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Hi all its me again andrew
I would like to ask David Seah a question(hope he still visits this thread)
How did you get into flying coporate.
Did you start of in SIA or did you grow up in the STATES where you went through a flying college?
Or were you military?
How did you build up your hours to get employed to fly coporate?
Thanks
Andrew
David Seah Says:
April 15th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Hi Andrew,
Sorry was away for a long holiday in between work.
First and foremost why are you so interested in knowing about flying corporate? Usually guys who self sponsored to take up flying will eventually want to join a good Airline and move up the industry ladder to become management perhaps. But from what mostly I read from your posting, it’s contradicting oneself.
As you mentioned this is a public forum, please respect my wish to remain silent on my background and experience.
I feel that you should be asking the experts aviators here some of them whom are professional major Airline pilots for more advise on how to excel in your Airline interview and making sure you get employment into the system.
Get your CPL first is your main piority Andrew.
Good luck and safe landings
Andrew Says:
April 15th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Dear David Seah,
I am sorry for probing too much into your background. I want to know more about this option of flying corporate as an aviation career.
I like many other self sponsored individuals want to join a good Airline (SIA).
The reason why I kept asking about your background is because I was hopping to learn from your experiences and your career path. Was hoping maybe i could follow the same path you took. Like copy your success
They say the greatest flattery is copying right?
As for the previous post about whether to get the CESNNA rating is because when I finish my CPL course and University in Australia I will be 24. Unfortunately SIA will only hire Singaporean Male at 26( I hope it will be changed by then) So I have 2 years. I do not want my skills to deteriorate, so I think the best way to maintain my flying skills is to get a flying job.
However I do not think it is easy to get a flying job in australia. Because I feel that if there were openings they will be reserved for Australians. The cheif instructor of the school which i take flying at also told me if i am not looking for jobs in Australia I do not need the CESSNA rating.
I think I should go ahead with the CESSNA rating as its a really popular plane and would help with my employement almost anywhere e.g. (sight seeing tours, parachute freight) Do you agree with this?
All I am looking for is some advice on what i can do with these 2 years.
Once again I apologize if I made you unhappy.
I really hope to hear from you again.
Best regards
Andrew
Karl Says:
April 16th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Hi Andrew,
It is good to see you are interested in maintaining your flying currency. Having said that, as far as I remember, your type ratings are not that crucial when it comes to passing the interviews. There is no secret formula to getting accepted. I would say if you display the qualifications, drive and personality to land a great job anywhere in the private sector, that would put you in equally good stead to be accepted to Singapore.
Cadets, who are accepted on local terms, usually go through full or near-full flying training. Yes, this applies to CPL holders as well, due to licensing hurdles from CAAS. As such you will have to redo most of your flying anyway. This is something to bear in mind.
Finally, regarding the post about degree holders — I would say that the Company does prefer degree holders, all else equal. However, in my opinion, equally important is english proficiency. I have to deal with various accents on the airwaves and if I am unable to converse clearly and concisely, this adds another layer of risk to safe operations.
Karl.
Andrew Says:
April 17th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Dear Karl,
Thank you so much for your reply.
I have a friend who passed all the interviews (SIA) and is now waiting to go to Australia for further training.
He said if I have a Australian CPL I would have to take the ATPL papers but I would not have to redo most of my training and will be bump straight to the Jet trainer package. Skipping basic flying training.
Do you know what is the training route for people who have an Australian CPL?
Also do you know if SIA has lowered the limit from 26 to 24?
Once again a big thank you to karl, David and all other pilots and non pilots who have posted their advice and comments
Best regards
Andrew
Karl Says:
April 23rd, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Hi Andrew,
It is good news if they now skip the basic flying training as that would save you a lot of time and trouble. Personally though, I remain doubtful. While it has been some time since I was in a Cessna, I don’t think the system has changed significantly, if at all. The obstacle lies not with the airline but the regulatory authority, which seems reluctant in cross-approving foreign licenses. The only ‘approved’ foreign flying degree is in NZ, and even then it wasn’t a free pass to jet training. However, as I said, if they have since changed their view, that would indeed be good news for you and your friends.
As for the limit of 26 — this is somewhat fluid. If you asked me on the record, I’d probably agree that 26 was the policy — but this can be waived depending on circumstance. I wish I could elaborate more but each applicant’s reasons for getting through varies a lot and there is no one, fixed path.
I am not aware of any lowering of the limit to 24.
Karl.
Andrew Says:
April 27th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Dear Karl,
Thank you for your reply. I am always grateful for advice. I have decided to go ahead and get my cessna rating. It would open up more doors for me. And SIA cadets fly cessna anyways so i guess added advantage for me? Since I have the rating for it arleady.
I am still crossing my fingers and hoping SIA will lower the limit officially haha.
Thank you Karl for your reply
Best regards
Andrew
Jay Says:
May 7th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Hello anyone applied and got called up for cadet programme for 2010 this year? any idea when is the next intake?
thanks alot
Jay
not anytime soon Says:
May 7th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Jay: not anytime soon. why wld they want to hire now when the airline industry is taking a hit and some pilots are sitting on the bench?
Karl Says:
May 15th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Hi Jay,
Yes, hiring is ongoing for cadet pilots. Good luck with your application.
Regards,
Karl.
Jeff Says:
May 17th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Hi Karl,
I’ve applied with the SIA and have an interview soon this coming friday with singapore airlines as cadet pilot. BTW i’m 23 this year only.
I was previously from RSAF as a pilot trainee, but was chopped at my basic flying phrase at pearce. Though i had gathered 40+ hours of flying from turbine engine CT-4B, and turbo prop PC-21. Does it help at all with my probability or chances to be selected as a member with SIA?
It’s really the passion that keeps a person drive there. And it keeps going and going. I hope the never give up spirit will inspire people who have dreams to keep trying for what they inspire, don’t be afraid of rejections.
Cheers,
Jeff
Andrew Says:
May 18th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Hi Jeff,
Congrats on being called up! And its good to know oyu are only 23 haha. As you can see from my previous post i am hoping SIA lowers its limits.
Wow those 40 hours must be a once in al ife time experience flying the PC-21. Did you manage to pull alot of Gs in that?
I am sure your epxerience will help with your chances to be selected. Could we keep in touch? my email is ac87_@hotmail.com.
I have yet to take my PPL cant wait to get it over and done with. But the Cirrus SR 20 i fly is in maintanence.
All the best to your interview this firday!
Andrew
good chance Says:
May 18th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Jeff: I think you stand a good chance due to the fact that you were previously a cadet pilot with RSAF and you have already clocked 40+ hours. So i think they might let you through though you dont meet the minimum age of 26 years old for Sporeans.
Andrew Says:
May 18th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
YEAH JEFF PLEASE MAKE IT THROUGH!!! then it will also give me hope that they will lower the age limit for me too when i get my CPL….Aussie one though hope its still ok… Hopefully they are still hiring in 2011….
Cross my fingers and pray. haha
Jeff Says:
May 19th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Thanks for all the support. 2 more days to my interview. I’ve done up alot of research on SIA already. Intensive research and going through all my pilot notes I accumulated back then in the airforce.
Though i’m quite rusty now, but then hopefully they don’t demand too much of the technical aspect from me since I was once flying.
This is a website i came across:
http://www.askcaptainlim.com/index....
It provides alot of information and tips to help you prepare for ur interview.
Andrew, I hope to make it through and thus motivate you. PC-21 can pull up to 8Gs, and I passed my G-FET training in singapore to fly there. Every god damn mother turn also can feel abit of Gs. LOL. And feel free to message me. My email is jeffwong87@hotmail.com.
Cheers,
Jeff
Karl Says:
May 27th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Hi Jeff,
Apologies for the late reply as it has been quite busy at work lately. Perhaps you having previously tried for the Air Force might make it easier for the company to ‘plead your case’, should your application be successful. Having said that, it is rare to hear of a Singaporean getting in early on these grounds.
Nonetheless you seem to be genuinely passionate about flying. If your application does not go through the first time, try and try again. I wish you well, perhaps we might even meet some day.
Karl.
good chance Says:
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:07 am
Jeff: So did you get it?
bad chance Says:
June 4th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
knew it. he is too young.
Jeff Says:
June 5th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
hey.. thanks for the advices. I went for the interview and they asked me to describe myself and asked me how was my flying in RSAF. Then they proceed to tell me that I am indeed too young to be in the airline. The minimum cut off age is 25. But then they tell me to apply 2 years later again and this time they will recommend me to come for interview. They say it would only be fair to give me the chance for an interview. So yea, i’ll finish my degree course and re-apply when i’m older. =)
bad chance Says:
June 7th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Jeff: No offence but i think it is right for them to do that because it is only fair to the existing cadets as well as those who have been waiting or waited for 2 years. ANyway, it is only 2 years. Time flies….
Ariff Says:
June 7th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Hey guys. Can anyone advice me on how i could be a pilot?:) Im truly interested and hope to achieve my ambition.
I’m 19, currently studying in Temasek Polytechnic in Engineering Business. Going for NS next year though. Haha. I’m wearing contacts at 400 degrees, and is it still possible for me? Or has my chances slimmed down.
Its really great hearing the feedback of experienced pilots here at this forum. Every time i travel, the pilots were always in my mind. They’re like guiding the whole fleet of passengers and stewards/stewardess. It gives me a rush of adrenaline just thinking about it ! Haha.
I’d really appreciate it if you could advice me on my career path, like taking licenses or signing on RSAF?
Thanks in advance!
Sincerely
Ariff
ToAriff Says:
June 7th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
so cliche…..just go to http://www.iwanttobeapilot.com.sg and apply
Andrew Says:
June 7th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Dear Bad Chance,
I dont think its fair for the government to only allow us Singaporean males to enter SIA at 25. Infact I dont think this age rule is fair to any of us. I do understand that they have this age limit to ensure that the first cut of talent can go to the airforce to defend our country. But by doing this Singaporean men are at a huge disadvantage. Our good neighbours from malaysia by the time they are 30 i think they will be captains. For Singaporeans I think its more like 37. Why must we be set back 7 years just because of this? 7 years is too much time.
I am not saying that we shouldnt have NS or it should be shorten. I am all for NS i served as a platoon commander and an Ops Officer. What i dont understand is why people like Jeff who has flight experience and is arleady OUT of the Airforce is still being Chained? Its not like the Airforce is going to call him back again. Seriously this Airforce rule is very detrimental to us Singaporean men.
I personally feel very sad. Because i felt that i really gave my best during my NS for those 2yrs. I did my share and I did it whole heartedly. I am sure Jeff feels the same way. And for all this my government still wants to clip my wings for another few years. And for what reasons? There are so many people applying for the airforce and so many who do not make the cut. But doesnt mean you cant fly for the military means you cant fly at all. Does a Airbus captain have to withstand 8gs? Does he have to run through his preflight checks at breakneck speeds? Military flying and civilian flying are very differnt.
Anyway if anyone sees this and can explain to me why our governemtn is having this age limit thing please explain if you can totally debunk me is even better. At least I wont feel so unhappy with a good reason.
Thanks
Andrew
Andrew Says:
June 7th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Dear Ariff,
Haha your mesage is indeed cliche. sorry had to agree with toariff. I even went to see whether there is such a site iwanttobeapilot.com.sg LOL..
Anyway I got advice for you.
I am from poly too SP. You know after poly you got this long break before they call you for NS right?
Use this time go to Malaysia and get your PPL rent a room for 3 months. And just fly everyday and selfstudy your ground school super hard sure can pass one. My freind did it for 9k SGD i think. Which i feel is pretty good rate. Once you got your PPL. If possible go flying once every month so that you dont rusty. Then before NS comes go apply for Airforce do the COMPASS test. Then when NS come do your best for BMT. Get into OCS. With your COMPASS results already being processed and your PPL hopefully they push you to Airwing or go work at CMPB there and wait for your turn to fly.
And even if you get chop no worries you still got a PPL. And with that you can still clock hours from time to time and one day show SIA how much you clocked haha. And if you want to go further it to CPL i think going to NZ or Australia is better. Or maybe you can go Langkawi. They got this CPL course there. But i never really trusted those big schools where you had to buy uniform and go to class cause alot of ground stuff actually you can learn yourself.
So ariff there is what I have to say i hope you get into the Airforce then there will be one more Malay pilot. Hopefully by now got more already.
Best regards
Andrew
Bad Chance Says:
June 8th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Andrew: If they remove the age limit of 25 years old now, how would those who had waited till 25 feel? Bet they would be cursing and swearing because you guys would end up being a first officer much earlier/younger than those guys who had waited.
Dont ask me how i know about this but the reason why SIA wants to impose this age limit is because they want to take in cadets who are mature enough to manage the stress/pressure and know what they want in their career. Grooming a single cadet into a first officer is a hefty investment for the company. Hence, SIA would like to ensure 100% ROI on the investment.
The training that the cadets have to undergo is tough and requires perseverance. SIA is afraid that young men (21-24) would give up halfway due to a change in interest or because they are unable to take the stress/pressure/hardship.
Dont ask me why the age limit is not imposed on non-Citizens. I am clueless as well.
foreigners good Says:
June 8th, 2010 at 11:18 am
cos SIA likes foreigners more. you mean it’s not obvious enough? women have AWARE to fight for their rights, but citizens don’t have anyone to turn to when faced with such unfair recruitment practices. how sad. oh, maybe i can “upgrade” to be a foreigner by giving up my citizenship…
Andrew Says:
June 8th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Hi bad chance. Yeah I am also clueless on why the age limit is not imposed on non citizens…. But dont you think our government should give us first piority?
As for the age of 21-24 i dont think the guys will give up half way there shold be a clause in the contact to prevent this.
Also do you know Australia is now officially starting a new cadet program. Which will train pilots within 18 months. You can join when you are 18 and by 19 you would be in teh right hand sit of one of jetstars planes. If other countries can do this why not Singapore?
Anyway nice hearing from you bad chance. Guess we will both be left clueless on the no age limit of foreigners.
best regards
Andrew
foreigners good Says:
June 8th, 2010 at 11:19 am
andrew, you can “upgrade” to be a foreigner by giving up your citizenship.
Andrew Says:
June 8th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Dear Foreigners good,
Haha cannot lar i still like my home country even though it has its flaws.
Anyway become foreigner sometimes also can be quite difficult leh. Look at Australia now got problem with the asylum seekers now harder to get visa. why? cause everyone wants to go there. Live here so relax who dont want man…
Anyway I am still hoping for the day the age limit is lifted haha
Best regards
Andrew
Bad Chance Says:
June 8th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Andrew: By the time the age limit is lifted, i think you would be past 25 already.
Ariff Says:
June 8th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Dear Andrew and toAriff, thank you so much. & Andrew, i’ll give that route a try. Sounds really promising:)Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it, and HOPE YOU MAKE IT TOO!
toAriff Says:
June 8th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Ariff: Dont mean to splash cold water but dont put all your hopes in it. Though we always hear about friends’ friends getting in, they are just the minorities From what i know, SIA receive thousands of applications each time. Out of these thousands of application, just a handful get through each time. Its a bonus if you can get in but its not the end of the world if you cant get in because there are so many other jobs that pay better than being a pilot. Unless you are really going for the passion or the chance to screw stewardess then i must admit that there might not be any other job that could offer you the same.
Andrew Says:
June 8th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Dear toAriff,
Haha why everyone must link screw stewardess to pilots all the time. If I am not wrong the actually get hte stewardess and pilots to stay at different hotels… Maybe Karl can educate us on this haha. Long time no hear from him eh…?
I agree with toAriff its soooo freaking hard to get in but i can say that if i dont get in its teh end of the world coz as a self funded student after you spent that amount of your parents money if you dont get in its not only the end of hte world for you but for them!!! MOMMY DADDY I LOVE YOU! haha And also I really love flying although yes there are many other jobs that defintely pay more. I know one ! Housing agent !
And dear bad chance i will be turning 25 in about 2 years time haha i dont htink they will change the laws so soon right. Haha but you never know!
Last but not least big hi to Ariff again. Yeah go give it a try but remember you were warned by toAriff and others its not easy and not a sure route to the airlines… but hey one step closer better than none right? I hope those flying schools in Malaysia have changed thie cessnas so rickety and old dont know whther save or not haha. If you can find a school in malaysia that have diamonds in thier fleet that would be the best. I think its super cost efficient.
Best regards to everyone
Andrew
Ariff Says:
June 9th, 2010 at 9:17 am
ToAriff: Hahahaha ! Was laughing like mad when i saw the part about screwing the stewardess. I’ve heard loads of stories about it, hope its true though=/ HAHA. Appreciate the heads up though. You’re right, i should try my best, yet be prepared for the worst.
& a big hi to you too Andrew:) You’re definitely right about wasting parents money. A one step close surely is better than none! & thus we shld both keep on trying! Haha. Its only 2 years, time flies by pretty fast. Btw, Andrew, is it possible that i get to know about how and which school your friend went to for 9k?:)
Thanks in advance!
toAriff Says:
June 9th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Ariff: the part on screwing stewardess is definitely true. It is one of those undisclosed but yet well known “perks” of being a pilot. That is why the interviewers tend to select guys who are not very good looking because good looking pilots will monopolize the “market”.
If you look around carefully the nexttime you fly or when you are at the airport, i am sure you will notice that pilots are NOT tall, dark and handsome (these are just myths). Or perhaps $$$ can make someone look better LOL.
Andrew Says:
June 9th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
wah lau….. toariff you sure or not? your this statement on how interviewers choose people… if you say they choose better looking people i think its more belivable lar… I never heard BAD LOOKS was a good criteria to have seriously… Got sooo many pilots out there are tall and not exactly bad looking. You go holiday can see for yourself when you are at the departure rooms at Changi.
But you know sometimes i think after a trans atlantic flight wihch can be 12 hours you still got enery go sleep with one har? (Flying can be pretty exhausting…) Wah i then i think dont be a pilot lar just go be some marathon runner since got so much energy. haha.
And dear Ariff just go google then type something like flying schools in johor sure got alot of hits one. I think its at subang? cant remember really. You go and google our local flying schools first lar. See how much is thier price and what kind of training they offer and waht planes tehy have in their fleet.
Best regards
Andrew
toAriff Says:
June 9th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Andrew: i have never said that BAD LOOKS is one of the criteria. All i am saying is that pilots are not as good-looking (tall, dark, handsome) as what people perceive them to be. Seen alot of short, chubby, balding ones
Andrew Says:
June 9th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
yeah but you seem to be saying that. aiyah nvm lar dont need to look good is also good haha.
shorter easier to fit in cockpit mah haha
balding must be due to sleep deprivation and stress haha
Chubby coz i think with the money and good hotel good food should follow haha
Best regards
Andrew
Ariff Says:
June 10th, 2010 at 7:04 am
Whoa that sounds scary. Okay its decided, i’ll turn bald chubby and short in the next 4 yeats=O Haha. & Andrew, thanks. I’ll try and look for the schools. But as you said, I hope their planes are new
Arif Says:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Hi there just curious is it harder to be a pilot be in RSAF or SIA if your a malay or only child???
Andrew Says:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Hi Arif,
hmm sensitive question… My personnel opinion is if you are the only child I dont think it would be a problem. As for whether you are malay or not it is an open secret (you can go and google this journalist from other countries have written about it) that our military hasnt had many malays in high ranking positions or in sensitive departments of the arm forces.
But I think our government is softening up now. Recently we had a malay general. And there are malay pilots in the RSAF.
Anyway I dont think because there so little malay in the RSAF means that there is racial biasness. THink about it so many chinese apply and only how many are left at the end of the day. If I am not wron the number of chinese is more than Malay in our country. So the starting pool is arleady alot smaller. Thus it may seem that RSAF prefer non malay pilots when infact maybe there just aint many malay trying out for the position.
Also our country is very proud of its meritocracy so I dont think being malay would affect your prospects.
Andrew
searchingfortruth Says:
August 6th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Hi everyone! I wish all the SIA pilots here can help me find out the truth. If you don’t mind guys, I would just like to know if you know an SIA pilot named KELVIN KO.Or if you don’t mind, if it’s possible if you can check in your airline such pilot I mentioned. The reason is kind of personal and I really just want to find out the truth about this person. I would highly appreciate it if you could research the name for me. According to Kelvin, he flies an A380 airbus, he’s been in SIA for 16 years now and he used to be in RSAF for 8 years. Please, SIA pilots, I would be very glad if I could find out the truth from you.God bless to all!!!