Ok, now to blog what happened after 3 Dec. Went on holiday to Cameron Highlands and KL from 8 Dec to 11 Dec. Shall blog about it with pictures when I download the pictures from my camera into my computer.
Ok, so basically after 3 Dec, I went to Singapore Youth Flying Club (SYFC) for flight training and simulator training once every 2 - 3 days. Not that I did not go before 3 Dec but it's just that after 3 Dec, I go to SYFC more frequently.
So counting back, I have been with SYFC for around 2 months till this date. Flown four times already, each lasting about 1 hour. Quite cool, taxy the plane, make radio calls, move the control column and best of all - See Singapore from a bird's eye view !!
Through these 2 months at SYFC, I learnt a lot more about aviation careers - being a military pilot and commercial pilot. The instructors at SYFC shared a lot, some are RSAF and/or SIA pilots. They retire already. So actually for the past few weeks, I have been thinking a lot of what I want to be? (RSAF and/or SIA pilot? Or not being a pilot?)
Ok, shall analyse here...
RSAF pilot:
You start off...
1. Submitting Application
2. Shortlist already, must go through a 5 hours test known as Computerised Apptitude Selection System (COMPASS) where they will assess whether you have the attributes (eg. quick reflexes, your memory, ability to multi-task, hand-eye coordination, etc)
3. You pass the above, you go for interview
4. You pass interview, you go for medical examination
5. You pass, you go for Basic Military Training (BMT) which means enlisted into NS la
6. After 9 weeks of BMT, you go for air grading in Tamworth, Australia for 2 months. This is where they really test you out whether you really have the qualities to be a pilot as they will teach you how to fly the aeroplane. If not, you will get phased out and bye bye
7. You pass already, you go to Officer Cadet School (OCS) to get trained to become an officer for around 2 months.
8. You get commissioned as officer already, you for for Basic Flying Phase for 10 months in Australia
9. Pass that and go for advanced flying phase for 11 months. This is the phase which you will know whether you flying Fighter, Transport or Helicopter. This is dependent on your performance and abilities demonstrated during your training.
10. Ok, so after this, you would have completed your NS training (yes, 1 day training at Air Force = 1 day of NS) So by now, 2 years plus have passed.
11. You will continue on your studies in the University for about 4 years.
12. You return to RSAF for your career job as a pilot.
13. When you sign on as a pilot with RSAF, it is contract-based for about 10 years. (Starting from the moment you finish University).
14. So you can only leave air force when you are about late 30s.
15. Nevertheless, the RSAF has a transition scheme. After your 10 years contract, you can choose to leave RSAF to transit to SIA. If not, you continue another contract with RSAF and retire at 40 plus. And that's the end...
Salary wise...
Needless to say, it is definitely rewarding. As a trainee pilot, you get about $2000. You complete pilot training, you get about $5000 - $6000 (this is not including any allowances, you know?) With allowance, it is another $2000-$3000 more. You gain your ranks, you get paid more. Of course, there are other benefits as well la, like medical, welfare, etc.
SIA Pilot...
1. You can only join SIA at 26 years old for Singaporeans or you transit from RSAF (as mentioned earlier). This is to ensure a talent pool for the RSAF. I feel that it is very unfair. That is why Singaporeans only constitute a small percentage among SIA pilots. Mostly are Malaysians. Because they can join at 18 years old........... Haiz...
2. SIA has a more complicated selection process.
3. Go for first round of interview
4. Go for Psychomotor and Psychometric tests
5. Broken up into groups and sort of work together and solve some problems. This tests on your teamwork and leadership skills.
6. Go for second round of interview
7. Attend a tea-party and they will see how well you interact. Sort of test your social skills
8. Go for medical examination.
9. Go for 3 weeks OBS
10. Start flying training at both Singapore and Australia for about 2 years.
11. Then you become Second Officer. Need another like 1-2 more years to clock hours to become First Officer
12. SIA is also contract-based - 6 years. If after 6 years they don't like you, then bye bye.
Salary wise...
Second Officer - about $2000-$3000
First Officer - about $5000 - $9000
Captain - $10,000 plus la (max is about $16,000 for A380, due to the reason ruling of pilot salaries of A380)
Of course, it will depend on the type of aircraft you fly. Similarly, the above is only the basic pay. Plus allowances it is another $3000-$5000 more la (Got like Night-stop allowance, productivity allowance, meal allowance)... Yah, also got benefits like medical, welfare, discounted travel, every year got free ticket to travel, etc...
Ok, so that's just the superficial information about the jobs.
I have been thinking whether to be a pilot or not. Because after all, there are many factors. Flying is not easy. They say pilots can be trained and groomed. Yes, I agree, but because they need pilots fast, you really need to have the innate ability (which I think I lack that) to fly. If not, they cannot waste the time and effort trying to develop and train you slowly. They need the people fast !!!
Second thing is the nature of the job. For RSAF, you will most likely be involved in joint exercises, peacekeeping missions, overseas detachments. This would mean less and less time for family, friends. What's the use of earning so much, if time (yes, time is money what?) cannot be spent with closed ones? There is also a much higher risk in flying fighters. There is also the presence of G-forces or also known as g-load. Because the fighters are accelerating so fast, pilots can feel the force of gravity acting on them. Sometimes during roller coasters, you can also feel it. These forces force blood down your body, meaning less oxygen to the brain and can cause a temporarily black-out. Although fighter pilots wear g-suits, which is supposedly to squeeze blood back to the brain, who knows what will happen up in the skies? Brain cells also die easily due to this effect... There are also risks of air crash and accidents.
For SIA, you are in a high risk of developing cancers. This is because you are up in the skies, you have a larger exposure to radiation and have a huge responsibility to ensure the safety of passengers. Air crashes or accidents might also happen. Bad weather, turbulence are some of the risks. Similarly, you are also away from home.
But coming to the definition of flying. Real flying only happens in RSAF, where you really get to manoeuvre the aircraft. Whereas, in SIA, it is just cockpit management. You engage the auto-pilot to fly and you just monitor and check your instruments constantly. So not much of flying in SIA, mostly computerised already. Lol...
Yup, so these are the factors that I have been thinking through. Haha, I have also searched for other careers. Another possibility is being an air traffic controller. This job is also quite demanding, need to multi-task, think quick and reply quick. Quite stressful, maybe will get depression if you know that you caused an air crash.. Haha...
Ok la, maybe be an engineer lor if all above fails... But nevertheless, I am still seeing my progress in SYFC. If I can make it through, I will consider being a pilot.
Nevertheless, I think more importantly is concentrating on my studies now and get good results. Haha... So i guess i will just put this aside. Yah, sorry for the long post. If you don't want to read also can, haha, because it is also meant for my future reference. Lol...
Ok that's all,
hope you all also have some ideas of what your future career might be...
Wei Pin