TAKING FLIGHT WITH THEIR WINGS

"I see the RSAF (Republic of Singapore Air Force) as my top career choice!" said Lu Chang Ji, 18.

The Shanghai-born Singaporean citizen was among the 39 recipients who were awarded the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) from the Singapore Youth Flying Club (SYFC) at the PPL Wings and Aviation Awards ceremony held on 24 Apr.

Designed by the SYFC, the annual PPL Course introduces students aged 17 to 18 to flying and aviation, and assesses each student's aptitude and potential for flying. The course, that stretches over one year, also provides a valuable foundation for young pilot trainees thinking of pursuing flying as a career.

Youths have to go though the rigours of flight training - including ground exams, simulator training, and finally, flight tests - before being awarded their PPL Wings.

Assoc Prof Koo Tsai Kee, Minister of State for Defence, who was the Guest-of-Honour at the awards ceremony, commented that the students' achievement was "indeed commendable" considering that they had to juggle the demands of flight training while pursuing their "A" levels or Polytechnic studies at the same time.

In his opening address, he also stressed the importance to interest youths in flying.

"With the declining birth rate in Singapore, finding suitable candidates to be military pilots in the RSAF to safeguard our sovereign airspace is a national priority," he said.

Indeed, all 39 recipients have applied to join the RSAF as pilot trainees following the completion of their studies.

As 18-year-old Jacqueline Yeo put it, "Most of us want to join the Air Force and the PPL is a good stepping stone. It puts us at an advantage over others who wants to join the RSAF."

The Saint Andrew's Junior College (SAJC) student was one of the few females who were awarded their PPL Wings following the successful completion of the PPL Course.

"I like the thrill of being in the air," she said. "Not many people have the privilege of flying, being in control and taking full responsibility of the plane."

Likewise, Chang Ji felt that every flight was an achievement.

Describing his first solo flight experience, he said, "It was very memorable and challenging, especially the taking off and landing, as there would be situational changes every minute."

"Although it was for only 10 minutes, being the pilot-in-command without the instructor beside you means you cannot panic even if you make mistakes," added the Jurong Junior College (JJC) student.

Other than receiving his Wings, Chang Ji was also awarded two other awards, the Best in Flying and the Singapore Technology (ST) Excellence for Flying Award. Both awards were presented to students who have completed the PPL Course with at least 75 per cent score in every flying or ground school test.

Brigadier-General (BG) Hoo Cher Mou, President of the SYFC Management Committee, said that many of the students have gone on to fly professionally as military pilots in the RSAF.

Describing the PPL programme as "a good springboard to a flying career", he commented that last year, 38 ex-SYFC students were accepted as pilot trainees into the RSAF and that many of them "will graduate as Air Force pilots given the strong flying foundation provided by SYFC."

Each year, the SYFC provides the opportunity for more than 200 youths from Junior Colleges and Polytechnics to experience the joy and thrill of flying.

Other initiatives by the SYFC to promote an interest in aviation include a partnership with the Ministry of Education to offer aeromodelling as a Co-Curricular Activity in secondary schools, a programme which provides opportunities for students to innovate and be creative in designing and constructing different flying machines to deepen their understanding on the principles of flight.