Navigating through CAAS, LCC, ICAO, FAA, RSAF, and everything in between. A pilot's guide to aviation careers in Singapore.https://captainong.comhttps://captainong.com/how-do-i-become-an-airline-pilot-in-singaporehttps://captainong.com/how-do-i-become-an-airline-pilot-in-singaporeWhile COVID-19 has thrown the entire industry into a tailspin, it doesn't mean that your dream of becoming an airline pilot in Singapore is dead. The government has highlighted multiple times that pilots are still needed. Here is how to get started.Wed, 26 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/the-faa-way-to-becoming-an-airline-pilot-in-singaporehttps://captainong.com/the-faa-way-to-becoming-an-airline-pilot-in-singaporeSingapore Airlines has traditionally been the only way for Singaporeans to be an Airline Pilot. While getting your S$200,000 aviation training sponsored by SIA is too good an offer to turn down, th...Fri, 17 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/do-i-need-a-degree-to-be-a-pilot-in-singaporehttps://captainong.com/do-i-need-a-degree-to-be-a-pilot-in-singaporeYou do not need a degree to be an airline pilot in Singapore — you just need a CPL. But academic results still matter when applying to cadet programmes, so here is how to weigh degree-first versus licence-first.Thu, 13 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/how-do-i-maintain-my-faa-instrument-rating-currency-in-singahttps://captainong.com/how-do-i-maintain-my-faa-instrument-rating-currency-in-singaA 2018 FAA rule change lets pilots maintain Instrument Rating currency in an ATD, FTD, or full flight simulator without an instructor present. Here is what RSAF pilots in Singapore need to know about staying current.Tue, 19 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/rsaf-fighter-transport-pilots-making-the-transition-pageshttps://captainong.com/rsaf-fighter-transport-pilots-making-the-transition-pagesA step-by-step guide for RSAF Fighter and Transport Pilots making the transition to Airline Pilot in Singapore — choosing FAA over CAAS, picking flight schools, ground exams, and licence conversion.Fri, 10 May 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/differences-in-requirements-between-the-faa-cpl-and-caas-cplhttps://captainong.com/differences-in-requirements-between-the-faa-cpl-and-caas-cplWith many young Singaporeans and many RSAF helicopter pilots starting to travel to the United States of America for their FAA Commerical Pilot Licence (CPL) training, and since the aim for these pe...Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/faa-cpl-to-caas-cpl-ground-examination-requirementshttps://captainong.com/faa-cpl-to-caas-cpl-ground-examination-requirementsThe CAAS SASP Chapter 11 details everything you need to know about converting your foreign professional pilot license. As detailed in my earlier post about the differences between the CAAS CPL and FAA CPL, there have been varying interpretations of the ambiguously written ground examination requirements.Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/how-does-the-rsaf-train-their-pilotshttps://captainong.com/how-does-the-rsaf-train-their-pilotsTo being your career in the RSAF, you simply need to put in your application. The RSAF receives thousands of applications every year. So to stand out from the rest of the applicants, you must have ...Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/pilot-training-cost-in-singaporehttps://captainong.com/pilot-training-cost-in-singaporeAnywhere in the world, a prospective pilot will complain that it is costly to become a pilot. But in Singapore, one of the world’s most expensive cities, it will cost almost twice the amount to get...Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/rsaf-pilot-how-to-fill-up-the-fc02https://captainong.com/rsaf-pilot-how-to-fill-up-the-fc02If you are reading this article, you probably secured a job with an airline, and you are trying to validate and convert your FAA ATP into a CAAS licence.Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/what-are-the-differences-between-a-cpl-mpl-and-atplhttps://captainong.com/what-are-the-differences-between-a-cpl-mpl-and-atplThere are three different professional pilot licences in Singapore. The are the Commercial Pilot Licence, Multi-Crew Pilot Licence and the Airline Transport Pilot Licence. Any of these three licenc...Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/what-is-base-training-base-check-line-training-and-line-chhttps://captainong.com/what-is-base-training-base-check-line-training-and-line-chI remember a time when I was a new hire in an airline in Singapore; I heard many other new recruits throwing out terms like Base Training, Base Check, Line Training and Line Check, and yet I didn’t...Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/how-does-a-rsaf-pilots-career-look-likehttps://captainong.com/how-does-a-rsaf-pilots-career-look-likeThe RSAF receives thousands of applications for the role of a Military Pilot every year, but only a few hundred makes it through the selection and interview. Once selected, the RSAF Pilot Trainee i...Thu, 04 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/cost-for-a-rsaf-fighter-and-transport-pilot-to-join-an-airlinehttps://captainong.com/cost-for-a-rsaf-fighter-and-transport-pilot-to-join-an-airlineContrary to what most people think, making a career transition for a RSAF pilot is quite a painful process. The period of transition is usually an emotionally volatile period and also a really expe...Mon, 27 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/failed-the-sia-cadet-interview-your-dream-is-not-deadhttps://captainong.com/failed-the-sia-cadet-interview-your-dream-is-not-deadSingapore Airlines is the only Airline in Singapore that sponsors the SGD$200,000 cost of training a pilot through its SIA Cadet Programme. However, the competition for SIA’s Cadet Pilot selection ...Mon, 27 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/how-can-a-rsaf-pilot-get-a-job-in-an-airline-in-singaporehttps://captainong.com/how-can-a-rsaf-pilot-get-a-job-in-an-airline-in-singaporeMany would think that making the transition from being an RSAF pilot to an Airline in Singapore would be a piece of cake. But for most, the transition isn’t as easy. Even with your 1,000 hours in t...Mon, 27 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/how-much-does-it-cost-for-a-rsaf-fighter-and-transport-pilot-thttps://captainong.com/how-much-does-it-cost-for-a-rsaf-fighter-and-transport-pilot-tA breakdown of every cost for an RSAF fixed-wing fighter or transport pilot to get an FAA ATP — flight school packages, hotels, car rental, and exam fees, with totals for those who do or do not need the 50 multi-engine hours.Mon, 27 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/rsaf-helicopter-pilots-making-the-transitionhttps://captainong.com/rsaf-helicopter-pilots-making-the-transitionAs compared to their RSAF Transport and Fighter Pilot counterparts, it is more difficult for RSAF Helicopter Pilots to make the transition to becoming an Airline Pilot. In the past, the only way was through the RSAF-SIA transition scheme or by getting their own CAAS CPL — but there is now a cheaper, faster route.Sat, 25 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/rsaf-wso-fighter-to-airline-pilot-making-the-transitionhttps://captainong.com/rsaf-wso-fighter-to-airline-pilot-making-the-transition“Talk to me Goose” – Tom Cruise in Top Gun.Fri, 10 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-a320-simulator-checkhttps://captainong.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-a320-simulator-checkThis guide was written mainly for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Pilots who are interested in adequately preparing themselves for an airline’s simulator check. Nevertheless, relatively ...Wed, 08 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/its-not-all-glamourhttps://captainong.com/its-not-all-glamourBeing an airline pilot looks glamorous from the outside, but the reality includes a $150,000 training bill, jobless years, constant checks, medical pressure, and disrupted sleep. Here is the side most people never see.Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/lifetime-earnings-rsaf-vs-commercial-pilots-who-earns-morehttps://captainong.com/lifetime-earnings-rsaf-vs-commercial-pilots-who-earns-moreEver wondered who earns more? In this article, we compare different people who made different career decisions.Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/lifetime-earnings-career-llc-in-sg-vs-transition-to-china-or-middle-east-who-earns-morehttps://captainong.com/lifetime-earnings-career-llc-in-sg-vs-transition-to-china-or-middle-east-who-earns-moreA side-by-side comparison of lifetime earnings for a career low-cost-carrier pilot in Singapore versus pilots who transition to Emirates in Dubai or Juneyao in China — including FO and Captain paths in each.Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/insuring-your-pilot-licencehttps://captainong.com/insuring-your-pilot-licenceA pilot licence in Singapore is worth millions in lifetime earnings, so insuring it makes sense. Here are the available loss-of-licence options including Liberty's Paymaster, Pilots for Pilots, and ALPA-S MBO.Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/the-career-of-an-airline-pilothttps://captainong.com/the-career-of-an-airline-pilotOutside the SIA Cadet Programme, becoming an airline pilot in Singapore means investing around SGD 200,000 of your own money. Here is what an airline pilot's career looks like from flight school through retirement.Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/want-to-get-a-commercial-pilot-license-faa-cpl-or-caas-cplhttps://captainong.com/want-to-get-a-commercial-pilot-license-faa-cpl-or-caas-cplThis article was written for Singaporeans who are interested in becoming an Airline Pilot in Singapore, have decided self-funding a Commercial Pilot Licence Training (CPL), but is still undecided o...Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/how-to-prepare-for-the-caas-papershttps://captainong.com/how-to-prepare-for-the-caas-papersFor Pilots pursuing the CAAS Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), there are 14 papers that must be completed before the licence can be issued.Mon, 14 May 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/preparing-for-the-caas-air-law-and-ops-procedure-papershttps://captainong.com/preparing-for-the-caas-air-law-and-ops-procedure-papersFor non-pilots, as part of your journey to becoming a professional pilot in Singapore, you need to complete and pass 14 papers in Singapore.Mon, 07 May 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/caas-fc02-fc05-fc32-fc10-fc08-fo95https://captainong.com/caas-fc02-fc05-fc32-fc10-fc08-fo95“CAAS Form designations appear to be a bunch of random numbers destined for the next TOTO draw.” – Captain OngSun, 18 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/how-i-use-logten-pro-xs-smart-groupshttps://captainong.com/how-i-use-logten-pro-xs-smart-groupsOne of the best features in LogTen Pro X’s electronic logbook is the Smart Group feature. I use the smart group feature to get an overview of my roster. These Smart Groups are fully programmable to...Tue, 30 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/multi-crew-coordination-course-how-to-get-it-donehttps://captainong.com/multi-crew-coordination-course-how-to-get-it-doneThe Multi-Crew Coordination (MCC) Course is a training requirement for new airline pilots. The MCC is self-funded for new hires in Scoot A320 and Jetstar Asia. New hires in Scoot 787 will have thei...Thu, 30 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/what-academic-qualifications-are-needed-to-become-a-pilot-in-singaporehttps://captainong.com/what-academic-qualifications-are-needed-to-become-a-pilot-in-singaporeA question I often receive.Tue, 14 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/how-to-convert-your-faa-atp-to-a-caas-cplatplhttps://captainong.com/how-to-convert-your-faa-atp-to-a-caas-cplatplThis guide was written mainly for RSAF pilots who hold a FAA ATP, who are interested in working for a commercial airline in Singapore. However, many of the information below are still valid for non...Wed, 27 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/how-i-use-crewconnect-with-logten-pro-xhttps://captainong.com/how-i-use-crewconnect-with-logten-pro-xHow I use CrewConnect's LogTen Export feature to push my flying roster straight into LogTen Pro X — saving the chore of typing flight numbers, airports, and times for every flight by hand.Sat, 17 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/faa-cplatpl-icao-english-proficiencyhttps://captainong.com/faa-cplatpl-icao-english-proficiencyIf you have a FAA CPL/ATPL, you probably know that the FAA says that you are “english proficient”. Thats awesome. But the rest of the world is using ICAO english proficiency levels 1-6. So WTF is “...Mon, 05 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/airports-app-by-applicate-ltdhttps://captainong.com/airports-app-by-applicate-ltdA review of the Airports app by Applicate Ltd — a handy iOS reference for pilots that pulls ATIS, runway data, METARs, TAFs, and NOTAMs for almost every airport in the world.Mon, 29 May 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/giving-your-fc05-application-the-push-it-needshttps://captainong.com/giving-your-fc05-application-the-push-it-needsMany FAA licence holders are seeing their CAAS FC05 application stall while CAAS waits on FCC verification. Here is how to speed it up by helping CAAS get the email confirmation directly from the FCC.Sun, 28 May 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/getting-a-copy-of-your-faa-ara-airline-transport-pilot-airplhttps://captainong.com/getting-a-copy-of-your-faa-ara-airline-transport-pilot-airplFor many of us, we usually surrender the original copy of our FAA ATP 135 knowledge testing result slip to the ATP practical examiner, as it is one of the required submission items for your FAA ATP...Sun, 21 May 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/rsaf-logbook-or-trident-printouthttps://captainong.com/rsaf-logbook-or-trident-printoutI planned to transit to the airlines right from the start. So even though the RSAF Logbook was phased out in favour for the Trident system back in 2012, I continued to maintain my RSAF Logbook for ...Sun, 21 May 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/step-by-step-guide-to-registering-for-a-caas-computer-basedhttps://captainong.com/step-by-step-guide-to-registering-for-a-caas-computer-basedNavigating the CAAS website can be a real challenge. Some would say that finding what you want on the website is harder than getting a CAAS CPL. And to some extend, I agree with that statement.Sun, 21 May 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/type-rating-before-joining-an-airline-why-cant-i-do-my-type-rating-overseashttps://captainong.com/type-rating-before-joining-an-airline-why-cant-i-do-my-type-rating-overseasJoining Tiger Air or Jetstar Asia in Singapore? If you read my earlier article, you would have realised that type rating training in Singapore is notoriously expensive. A 2 months A320 Type rating ...Sun, 21 May 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/who-say-need-to-do-mcc-and-jetfamhttps://captainong.com/who-say-need-to-do-mcc-and-jetfam“Where is it written that new airline pilots need to undergo MCC and Jet Fam?”Sun, 21 May 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://captainong.com/why-do-rsaf-pilots-need-the-multi-crew-coordination-mcc-cohttps://captainong.com/why-do-rsaf-pilots-need-the-multi-crew-coordination-mcc-coMulti-Crew Cooperation course is a course to teach single cockpit pilots the skills necessary to operate in a multi-crew cockpit. And it has been a requirement for years for RSAF Fighter Pilots to ...Sun, 21 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT