Friday, May 31, 2013

SIA seeks to boost earnings amid global economic slowdown


Singapore Airlines' more than US$17 billion deal is one of the company's biggest orders yet.

Southeast Asia's biggest carrier has been finding ways to boost earnings as profit margins continue to be squeezed by the slowdown in the global economy.

Analysts say SIA could still find other ways to increase its passenger yields, such as revamping SilkAir and partnering up with other Asian airlines.

Singapore Airlines is beefing up its fleet with newer planes.

It is also pumping money back into its core segment - the business class.

It will roll out an upgraded version of "next-generation' cabins come September 2013.

Leithen Francis, editor of Aviation Week, said: "The decision to introduce a new business class offering will definitely perk up interest in the market place and encourage people to fly business class on SIA."

SIA also signed a contract to overhaul its entire customer experience this month.

SIA signed a contract with Accenture for the development of a new IT system to enable the airline to deliver an enhanced travel experience that focuses on meeting more of its customers' travel needs. Implementation is scheduled for the second half of 2014.

All this is done in an attempt to reverse dwindling fortunes as the airline industry suffers due to falling global demand.

SIA's cargo business have already taken a hit and the airline had already grounded two of its cargo planes to cut costs.

Asia Pacific cargo freight continues to weaken as well, falling 0.4 per cent in April compared to a year ago.

It is an indication of tougher times ahead for the aviation industry, and a sign of the weakening global demand.

Just last quarter, the company reported a S$44.2 million loss in the three months ended March 31.

Shukor Yusof, aviation analyst at Standard & Poor's, said: "It has not performed as well as many have expected it to be because of uncertainty in key markets in Europe, North America and sluggishness in those economies. Also, because its premium sector which is dependent on the profitability of SIA has been under pressure."

Premium class travel makes up about 40 per cent of SIA's revenue and that has been hit by companies cutting down on travel budgets.

SIA did report pretty disappointing results in the last financial year but analysts say that's due mainly to the global economic situation that has affected other legacy carriers as well.

But if SIA were to revamp SilkAir to capture more business traffic in Southeast Asia, that could have positive impact on its bottomline.

Leithen Francis added: "SilkAir seems to be very much positioned as a leisure carrier but I think you're going to see SilkAir make more of a concerted effort to really win over and cater to business travellers. There is definitely going to be a growing demand for business traffic on short-haul routes within Asia and that's the market SilkAir caters to."

To tap into China's vast travel market, SIA recently signed a code-share agreement with Shenzhen Airlines.

Shashank Nigam, CEO of Simpliflying, said: "It really depends on what partnerships they strike. That's going to be key for SIA because they're not going on their own mettle. The fleet size will remain the same at 101 planes this year. So it's really about striking partnerships in India, China and even the Middle East carriers, like what Emirates has done with Qantas."

Analysts say they expect SIA's passenger numbers for the next financial year (FY14/15) to grow by about 4 per cent to 5 per cent.

SOURCE

Cargo not doing well, premium class seats not doing well. It seems SilkAir shall be SIA's trump card. As long as USA's and EU's economies remain in the doldrums, it will be tough for the airline to bounce back.


India's Kingfisher Airlines loses another US$382m


India's grounded Kingfisher Airlines, owned by billionaire liquor baron Vijay Mallya, said on Friday it lost another US$382 million in the first quarter of the year.

The private carrier is struggling to win back its permit to fly after a deadline to renew its suspended licence expired in January.

The company posted a net loss of 21.42 billion rupees (US$382 million) in the three months to March, compared with a 11.52 billion rupee loss a year earlier.

It has never made a profit since it started operations in 2005 and owes millions of dollars to banks, airports, fuel suppliers and its staff.

"The company did not have any operations during the quarter," Kingfisher confirmed in its statement.

Kingfisher lost permission to fly after it failed to present a viable recovery plan to the aviation regulator.

Most of the carrier's 4,000-odd employees have not been paid since July 2012, which led to a strike by its pilots and engineers in October.

Kingfisher was the worst-hit of India's airlines in 2012, with the industry plagued by high jet fuel prices, fierce competition, price wars and shabby airport infrastructure.

Mallya is desperate to find an outside investor to help get the airline running again.

SOURCE

God knows how Kingfisher managed to survive till today having ground its fleet since last year.


Singapore Airlines places US$17b order for Airbus, Boeing aircraft


Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced on Thursday it will buy 30 Airbus and 30 Boeing aircraft in an order worth more than US$17 billion as it seeks to maintain market leadership using the next-generation fuel-efficient planes.

"Singapore Airlines has agreed to order 30 more Airbus A350-900s and 30 Boeing 787-10Xs in deals valued at more than US$17 billion," the airline said in a statement.

For Airbus, the deal includes an option to purchase 20 more planes in addition to the 30 firm orders. The options can be converted to firm orders for bigger A350-1000s, it said.

SIA said the latest Airbus order is SIA's third for the A350-900s and will raise to 70 the number of firm orders in place for the aircraft type.

The agreement with Boeing comprises 30 firm orders and is conditional upon the US aircraft maker formally launching the B787-10X programme.

"Today's aircraft orders are among the biggest in Singapore Airlines' history, helping to ensure that we retain our industry leading position," said chief executive Goh Choon Phong.

"They demonstrate our commitment to the Singapore hub and our confidence in the future for premium full-service travel."

SIA is battling strong competition in the premium segment from Middle Eastern carriers and on the economy side from budget airlines, which have grown in number in the region.

Like other airlines its net profit has also been hurt by the global economic slowdown, which has hit both passenger and cargo demand, as well as high oil prices.

The fresh orders "underscore SIA's response to the Gulf carriers' aggressive approach", said Shukor Yusof, an aviation analyst with Standard and Poor's Equity Research.

"This is perhaps to show that the airline still has the capacity and certainly the deep pockets to mount a challenge for the future," he told AFP.

"SIA has almost no debt. It has cash of over US$3.0 billion, so the war chest is huge and it's one of the most well-managed airlines in the world."

The orders are also a "resounding vote of confidence for the Airbus A350-900, especially coming from an airline that is widely considered the benchmark in the market", Shukor said.

"I think it also assures SIA's commitment of retaining its reputation as market leader in the premium sector as well as its ability to shape the future landscape of next-generation fuel-efficient aircraft," he added.

The A350-900 model is due for its first take-off this summer, with the first deliveries to airlines scheduled at the end of 2014.

Airbus hopes the 314-seater will compete with Boeing's 787 Dreamliner by being both lighter and more fuel-efficient than previous models.

The Boeing 787-10X has still to be launched, with Shukor saying the US firm could announce the launch date at the Paris Air Show in June.

An SIA spokesman could not confirm if the airline is the first to order the Boeing 787-10X.

The Airbus firm orders will be delivered from the 2016/2017 financial year and the Boeing planes from the 2018/2019 fiscal year, SIA said in its statement.

Rolls-Royce's Trent XWB is the sole engine type for the A350-900, while an engine selection for the B787-10Xs will be made later.

SIA said it would use the Airbus planes for its medium and long-range routes and the Boeings for medium-range services.

"Between the two orders, Airbus will be uncorking the champagne earlier than Boeing," Shukor said, noting that Boeing's model is still on the drawing board.

SIA shares fell 0.46 percent to S$10.84 on Thursday before the deals were announced.

SOURCE

Finally some positive news from the airline? This is the biggest plane order in the airline's history, and they showed they are not lying there waiting to be trampled all over. All these long range fuel saving planes will make the airline more lean, and mean. Seems that they are scaling down on the A380 and also boosting its SilkAir network. Smaller planes will be much easier to fill and are more efficient. These slew of new planes will make the future more exciting.


Wednesday, May 29, 2013

12 hurt on SIA flight due to turbulence


Eleven passengers and a crew member sustained minor injuries following turbulence on a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight.

Singapore Airlines flight SQ308 experienced turbulence en route from Singapore to London on Sunday.

An SIA spokesperson said 11 passengers and one crew member sustained minor injuries when the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude.

They were attended to by medical personnel on arrival at Heathrow Airport.

Channel NewsAsia understands there were a total of 328 passengers and 26 crew on board the Airbus A380.

SOURCE

Well this is the reason why it is strongly recommended that you stay buckled throughout the flight unless there's a need to go somewhere else like the lavatory. Clear air turbulence ca't be detected and can hit you out of nowhere, with the aircraft losing altitude abruptly and violently.


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

SIA grounds second cargo plane


Singapore Airlines is grounding another of its cargo planes as the company continues to feel the squeeze of high fuel prices, weak demand and an overcapacity in the industry.

This is SIA's second freighter to be put into storage in the past 6 months. The first was in December 2012.

The news comes just weeks after SIA Cargo posted dismal annual results for its fiscal year, when it saw an operating loss of S$167 million.

"Fuel prices remain high and we continue to see weakness in the air cargo market due to industry-wide overcapacity, which has put pressure on rates," SIA Cargo President Tan Kai Ping said in a statement.

"We will continue to monitor market conditions closely and make further capacity adjustments as required."

The Boeing 747 will be put into storage in Victorville, California from next month until May 2014.

This will leave SIA with 11 freighters in operation.

SOURCE

Over capacity has put another B747 into cold storage in faraway land California. Makes you wonder how much does it cost to park a jumbo for a year. How about maintenance? Will firing up the engine once in a while be needed? If so, who will do it?


Sunday, May 26, 2013

Week 30: ATPL Ground School Week 30

A short week for us, revision class for 2.5 days, a final burst of study before we took the paper on Thursday. This paper somehow felt neutral as compared to the previous one although it's way easier as the questions looked more familiar.

That said, mistakes are bound to happen, and my count is already on three. That left me with only a buffer of two more mistakes before I'll succumb to the result of failure. Not feeling as good as the first paper I sat for, can I just pray for a pass? I'll hate to do Perf A again, seriously.

Putting it aside, preparation for Radio Aids and Air Law on Thursday and Friday respectively, is on the way. Giving it a final push, may the engines not burn out and lose thrust.

Going crazy over the graphs

Aviation is all about teamwork, can you work like an ant?

The night before the paper



Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Excess pilots: SIA waives cadets' bonds


Singapore Airlines, which has too many pilots amid a business downturn, does not expect the surplus to ease any time soon.

Cadet pilots have been told that until Sept 30, those who quit may have their bonds waived.

The usual payback for leaving before serving the seven-year work bond can be more than $250,000, pilots said.

There are 95 cadets currently in training, said SIA, which froze fresh recruitment early last year.


SOURCE

Not exactly very good times for the SIA cadets. For those who are languishing in the middle of the course, I guess it will be tough to give up now. Those who already attained at least a CPL, jumping over to Scoot or Tiger will be a good option.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Week 29: ATPL Ground School Week 29

Another week passed, with no lesson, just revision. I admit it is very hard to get the engine re-lighted and my level of discipline has been dwindling. Well I've always been the last minute kind of student, it is only then my productivity will increase exponentially as the deadline gets nearer. So this week I'm still dilly-dallying around without doing much. Actually, the sight of Perf A irks me to the core.

Some updates about the course, the first 5 cadets who manage to get a full pass will be leaving for flight school in Australia in the first week of June, and that is just 3 weeks away. I wish those who are retaking the remaining paper to clear it smoothly and move on to the next phase.

Ground school haven't been the least bit enjoyable, especially the Nav Phase. Good luck to everyone retaking Perf A paper this coming Thursday, including myself.

It is still rainy days and we're still on the ground





Friday, May 17, 2013

Plane overshoots runway in Myanmar, injuring two


A passenger plane carrying 55 people overran the end of the runway at an airport in eastern Myanmar due to suspected brake failure, injuring two people, state media reported on Friday.

The propeller, landing gear and engine of the Chinese-made Xian MA60 turboprop were damaged in the incident, which happened at Monghsat in Shan State on Thursday morning, according to the New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

The flight was operated by state-owned Myanma Airways, according to the report, which said the two injured were sent to hospital, without giving details about their condition.

Concerns about Myanmar's air safety were heightened by an airplane crash-landing in December at Heho airport, also in Shan State, that left two people dead, with foreign tourists fleeing the burning jet.

Myanmar's aviation and tourist industries are struggling to keep up with fast-growing demand as foreign visitors flock to the country, which is emerging from decades of junta rule.

SOURCE

It is always not easy for a country to enhance its infrastructure overnight. With airlines pouring in to Myanmar currently, it is crucial that the country is able to keep up with the traffic. Thank god for this case there wasn't any casualty.


Struggling Singapore Airlines fights back to boost growth


Singapore Airlines Ltd, caught between the rapid emergence of Gulf carriers and low cost Asian rivals, is attempting a big strategy overhaul to revive growth, pushing into the low-cost segment and expanding its regional network.

State-backed Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways are stitching deals, while Gulf states race to become regional hubs linking the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.

SIA's promotional fares on its mainstay long-haul routes have helped it boost traffic, but yields are under pressure.

Premium class travel, which makes up about 40 per cent of revenue, has been hit by cutbacks in corporate budgets.

"They have competitors who have strong financial backing and are also forming alliances, so it's getting to be a much tougher space," said Kristy Fong, investment manager at Aberdeen Asset Management, which holds about a 4 per cent stake in SIA.

"So the question is whether they can really keep that premium, which is sliding. I don't think it's an easy one."

Under Chief Executive Goh Choon Phong, who took charge in January 2011, SIA is relying on a multi-brand strategy and stepping up its exposure to the budget airlines segment.

With a market value of US$11 billion (S$13.8 billion), Asia's second biggest airline desperately needs growth. Profit slumped nearly 70 per cent in the year to March 2012, while revenue edged up, highlighting the severe pressure on margins.

Emirates and Qatar are fiercely challenging the company, controlled by Singaporean state investor Temasek, for the title of top luxury carrier as they invest millions in upgrading lounges and enhancing services.

Singapore's best known brand also faces stiffer competition from Southeast Asian rivals such as Malaysian Airline System Bhd and Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk PT, which are introducing newer aircraft and adding more connections in an attempt to win back some of their nationals who have previously flown via SIA and Singapore.

On Thursday, SIA - also known by its code SQ - is expected to report a 22 per cent rise in net profit to $409.6 million US$330 million for the year ending March, according to an average of Thomson Reuters StarMine SmartEstimates.

SmartEstimates places emphasis on timely forecasts by top-rated analysts.

The airline has been cutting costs. It said in January it would release all 76 pilots who were employed on fixed-term contracts. These foreign pilots would be let go by the end of June. SIA employs around 2,300 pilots. It did not provide financial details of the cuts.

"SQ is giving its competition a very easy way to get experienced pilots," said one SIA pilot whose contract was cancelled this year, speaking on condition of anonymity because his contract was confidential.

Analysts are looking beyond quarterly numbers for strategic changes. JPMorgan said SIA had net cash of S$3.8 billion as of December and could potentially announce a special dividend.

Some of that cash will help pay for new aircraft including the Airbus A350s and additional Boeing 777-300ERs, plus Boeing 737s for its regional carrier Silkair.

Fong said though SIA has been able to manage costs better than its competitors and had a strong balance sheet, it needed to come up with a clearer strategy.

Over the past year, SIA agreed to sell a 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd, started a new budget airline Scoot, expanded capacity at Silkair, and is potentially increasing its stake in affiliate Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd.

Still, SIA needs to do much more, some analysts said.

"What could they do better? Maybe, if they could find a way to get into China more aggressively?" said Andrew Orchard, Hong Kong-based analyst at brokerage CIMB. "Would they want to do a bilateral partnership with a Middle Eastern carrier, take out some capacity that way?"

Orchard said SIA should consider quitting Star Alliance and joining the rival SkyTeam network as it could potentially work more closely with Chinese airlines and other partners.

SIA is doubling its stake in Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd to 19.9 per cent. This comes months after struggling Qantas Airways Ltd and Emirates struck a five-year alliance, which includes switching the Qantas' hub to Dubai from Singapore for European flights.

SIA's moves to buy into Chinese and Indian carriers many years ago have not borne fruit. Goh has said the airline needs to increase exposure to these high-potential markets, but rivals have a head start.

Last month, Etihad agreed to buy a 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways Ltd, India's largest carrier, while AirAsia has struck a deal with the Tata group to start a local airline.

SIA's shares, trading at their highest level in 1-1/2 years, have gained more than 6 per cent so far this year as analysts upgrade earnings estimates due to lower fuel costs.

AirAsia's cut-rate pricing on Southeast Asian routes and the emergence of new rivals such as the Lion Air group has hit SIA.

"Corporate travel in Asia has weakened but leisure travel is booming. That is helping to drive numbers but these are lower-spending travellers," said Fred Seow, vice president of marketing at Asiatravel.com, which operates several hotel and flight booking websites.

SOURCE

Will the Indian and Chinese market give the ailing airline a boost in market performance? It is facing intense competition from Qantas and the Middle-Eastern airlines, and if it doesn't reinvent itself, it will be an uncontrolled downward spiral unless the markets in America and Europe recover.


Thursday, May 16, 2013

Are SIA girls allowed to post photos of themselves in uniform online?


A STOMPer feels it is inappropriate for Singapore Girls to post pictures of themselves in their uniform kebayas online.

According to the STOMPer, Singapore Girls are not allowed to take pictures of themselves in their uniforms, nor are they allowed to appear in public in them.

The STOMPer wrote:

"Aren't Singapore Girls an internationally recognizable icon already?

"So why are they perpetually taking pictures of themselves in uniforms for?

"Is this even allowed in the first place? I understand SIA does not allow stewardesses to take pictures of themselves in uniform, and they are not supposed to be in uniform in public.

"Or has Singapore Airline relented, lenient and compromising of late to permit such acts?

"Attached are the images of some Singapore Girls in their kebayas."

SOURCE

It is a known fact that SIA has strict rules regarding the usage of social media and what this Stomper just did was exposing the girls that broke the rule. On the other hand, knowingly breaking the rule isn't the right thing to do either. Social media can be a double-edged sword, use it with care.


SIA posts S$68m net profit for Q4


Singapore Airlines (SIA) booked a net profit of S$68 million in the fourth quarter of its financial year ending March 31, 2013, reversing a S$38 million loss recorded in the previous year.

This is mainly due to surplus on the sale of aircraft, spares and spare engines.

However, its operating loss widened by S$39 million to S$44.2 million in the fourth quarter.

In a Singapore stock exchange filing, the carrier attributes the decline to weaker passenger and cargo yields, particularly for both SIA and SIA Cargo, which suffered operating losses for the quarter.

SIA said its Q4 revenue fell by one per cent on-year to nearly S$3.67 billion.

For the full-year, SIA posted a smaller-than-expected net profit of S$379 million, that is up by 12.8 per cent on-year.

Analysts had earlier projected a net profit of about S$410 million for the carrier. SIA said its operating performance has been affected by high fuel prices and yield pressures.

For the full-year, its group expenditure rose two per cent on-year to about S$14.9 billion. SIA said fuel accounted for 40 per cent of expenditure during the financial year.

Despite the challenging environment, the carrier said its full-year group revenue was up 1.6 per cent on-year to about S$15 billion, as a result of a 7.3 per cent passenger carriage growth, albeit at lower yields. It added that marketing activities as well as depreciation of revenue-generating currencies against the Singapore dollar drove passenger yields lower by 4.2 per cent.

Looking ahead, SIA said yields are likely to remain under pressure amid weak economic sentiment, and revenues will be further diluted if key revenue-generating currencies continue to depreciate against the Singapore dollar. It added that forward passenger bookings for the next few months are almost flat compared to the same period in 2012.

In addition, the cargo business will remain under pressure due to overcapacity in the market.

SOURCE

S$379 million ain't that bad, is it? At least it is still very much in the green. Shareholders should be able to get a good payout.


Indonesia says poor training caused Bali sea crash


Indonesian authorities blamed poor training for a crash in which a rookie pilot undershot the runway and landed in the sea off the resort island of Bali last month, according to a report seen Wednesday.

All 108 passengers and crew survived the spectacular April 13 crash, which split the new Boeing 737-800 in two and was a major blow to Lion Air, which has signed record plane orders but is trying to shake off its poor safety record.

The preliminary investigation by the National Transport Safety Committee found the 24-year-old Indian national at the plane's helm was forced to hand control to the Indonesian captain since he could not see the runway upon descent.

The switch was made at 150 feet (46 metres) - below the minimum altitude considered safe to continue descending - and the captain ordered the plane to go around just one second before it crashed into the sea.

The report recommended Lion Air immediately implement several safety measures, such as reviewing "the policy and procedures regarding the risk associated with changeover of control at critical altitudes or critical time".

The airline should also reiterate safety protocols related to minimum altitudes to its pilots, it said.

The report described a sudden change in weather, with clear visibility minutes before the flight landed changing to rain and very poor visibility seconds before.

While a full investigation will determine the exact cause, the preliminary report ruled out any fault with the aircraft.

Lion Air was little-known internationally until it struck two of the world's largest aircraft orders worth a staggering US$46 billion.

In March Lion Air ordered 234 medium-haul A320 jets worth $18.4 billion euros (US$24.2 billion) from Europe's Airbus to boost its expansion as air travel booms in the fast-developing nation of 240 million.

That order followed its US$22.4 billion order for 230 Boeing 737 airliners in 2011.

But experts have raised concerns there is a lack of qualified pilots in Indonesia to fly the fast-increasing number of planes acquired by Lion Air.

Along with with most Indonesian airlines, it is banned from US and European skies for safety reasons.

Between 2004 and 2006 Lion Air suffered a series of six accidents which all involved planes overshooting or missing the runway. No one died.

SOURCE

Making the switch at 150 feet is definitely too low for the captain to salvage anything. The call to make a go-around is too late by then. Indeed the first officer should have done better and improved training standards will be needed to prevent such a thing from happening again.


Monday, May 13, 2013

Tiger Airways passenger numbers increase 37 per cent in April


Tiger Airways saw a 37.1 per cent surge in passengers booked to 639,000 for the month of April, partly due to an improved performance in its operations down under.

"(Tiger Australia) was operating at a significantly reduced capacity and on a limited schedule a year ago," the budget carrier said on Friday.

The carrier had scaled back domestic services in Australia following a six-week grounding in 2011, after the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority cited safety concerns. Tiger has since started to rebuild its network in Australia.

Passenger traffic for the group overall was up 33.3 per cent at one billion revenue passenger-kilometres (RPK) in April, while capacity went up 32.8 per cent to 1.21 billion available seat-kilometres (ASK).

Passenger load factor was nearly flat, edging up 0.3 percentage point to 83 per cent.

Meanwhile, Tiger Singapore carried 378,000 passengers, up 14.2 per cent year-on-year.

Passenger traffic increased 20.7 per cent to 712 million RPK, against a 26.5 per cent bump in capacity to 879 million ASK.

This caused passenger load factor to slip 3.9 percentage points to 81 per cent.

Tiger Australia's passenger numbers surged 93.3 per cent to 261,000 and passenger load factor rose 12.5 percentage points to 88.4 per cent for April.

Passenger traffic climbed 77.8 per cent to 297 million RPK while capacity went up 52.7 per cent from the corresponding month a year ago to 336 million ASK.

Shares in Tiger closed at 66 cents on Friday,   down half a cent. 

SOURCE

Numbers looking good on the low cost carrier and capacity is increasing constantly.


Sunday, May 12, 2013

Week 28: ATPL Ground School Week 28

There are no more lessons but we still have to go back to do our revision work in class, so it's back to Seletar till end of May when the retakes will commence. The mood around the class has been somewhat sombre, made worse by the release of Perf A results. 18 of us and only 4 made it, with a bunch of us scoring a close 70, just one more question to pass the paper.

Sad to say, I'm one of them. Perf A isn't a subject you would want to retake, second to Meteorology. Perhaps my luck has been used up in the ATPL group. So ya, I'm another $66 poorer having booked the retake on 23rd May. I still can't believe I failed by one miserable question, damn it.

Study conscientiously and pass it I must, along with Radio Aids and Air Law. =(

Hi, not good to see you again



Saturday, May 11, 2013

S'pore Youth Flying Club looking to raise student intake


The Singapore Youth Flying Club is looking to raise its student intake amid increased interest in flying among youths.

The club takes in 180 students every year as members, and it hopes to increase its intake of students in future.

Thirty-nine of its students graduated with the coveted Private Pilot Licence on Saturday.

19-year-old Natalie Tan can't drive yet, but she can fly a plane.

Natalia Tan, a graduate of the Singapore Youth Flying Club, said: "My first time flying a plane was a bit scary because, I mean, you're in the air alone, you have to manage everything alone, so it's a bit intimidating.

"But after a while, you get used to it, and you start to enjoy it a lot. I hope to let other girls know that it's not a male thing, it's not a guy thing to be able to fly, and girls can do it too!"

The club gets about 600 applicants from students annually. But only 180 will make the cut.

Applicants must sit for various tests -- medical and psychometric tests -- as well as meet height requirements.

The Singapore Youth Flying Club has been helping youths fulfil their dreams of becoming pilots.

The club now has 11 instructors and it is hoping to hire about four more. When it increases the number of instructors to 15, the club will be able to take in 50 more students.

The club's chief flying instructor Daniel Tan said flying is becoming more popular among youths.

He said: "We've been actively going out to the schools and promoting the flying programme in Singapore Youth Flying Club. Apart from that, the students themselves actually spread the word for us. So increasingly... more and more people (are) getting to know about us."

It takes between six months and over a year to get a licence.

And it's free for Singaporean students who do it through their co-curricular activities (CCAs) in secondary school.

Temasek Polytechnic is the first institution to work with the Singapore Youth Flying Club to offer its aviation students a six-month flying programme to earn their Private Pilot Licence.

Since 1971, the club has been a source of pilots for the military and commercial aviation industry. It has trained nearly 6,000 student pilots. Of these, 928 have earned their wings to fly a plane.

SOURCE

Singapore is currently being bitten by the flying bug with the boom in the aviation industry and it has caused quite a stir among the younger generation too. This is a good sign; having these enthusiasts start early, and there's no better way at doing it with SYFC, for free.

However, you must be able to meet the requirement set by them before they even take a look at your application. The link to the club's stie is at the top of the webpage below the main image.

Pre-requisites

  • Singapore Citizen
  • At least 16 years old
  • Students in JC, Poly or IP/IB schools who are age 16.
  • Freshmen preferred
  • Healthy and no major illnesses
  • Height - 1.62m to 1.90m and not obese
  • Eyesight requirements
    • Short-sighted - below 500 deg each eye
    • Astigmatism - below 200 deg each eye
    • Not colour blind
    • No other eye deficiencies

Well looking at the eyesight requirement will probably eliminate a huge chunk of prospects judging by how high the rate of myopia Singaporean kids are succumbed with. Likewise, I failed in the eyesight requirement, so I never had a chance to join them. Tough luck.

If you do meet those standards and is interested in flying, there is no harm in sending in your application and have some fun at Seletar's sky. I'm sure you won't regret it.



Thursday, May 9, 2013

Republic Polytechnic, Jetstar collaborate to nurture potential aviation professionals


Republic Polytechnic (RP) and Jetstar Asia are collaborating to nurture potential aviation professionals.

RP and the carrier have signed a three-year agreement that will offer regular internship opportunities for RP students.

Students pursuing a Diploma in Civil Aviation will get to fly as full-fledged members of the Jetstar cabin crew to various destinations for 20 weeks of their internship period.

Jetstar Asia will also offer attachments in areas like airline management, engineering and flight operations.

RP students who complete the internship will also be considered for full-time employment by Jetstar Asia.

RP students will also undertake final-year projects defined by Jetstar Asia, with airline staff acting as co-supervisors to provide guidance.

The projects will focus on issues related to flight operations, crew resource management and engineering cost decisions.

Jetstar Asia said it will review these projects for real-world adoption. 

SOURCE

Very good initiative by the airline, perhaps following the example of SIA who started with the programme of intern cabin crew. Aviation courses in RP will definitely become hotcakes when such opportunities are present. Students are able to receive real industrial experience and the airline is able to get affordable employees. It's a win-win situation for both parties

.

Japan's ANA to resume Dreamliner service on June 1


Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA), the biggest customer of Boeing's glitch-hit Dreamliner, confirmed on Thursday that it would restart flights with the modified high-tech plane at the start of next month.

ANA will resume services from June 1 "following the successful completion of a series of battery system modifications, safety checks and test flights", it said in a statement.

"Our engineers have worked closely with Boeing to undertake the required improvements and we are fully satisfied with the safety of our 787 fleet."

Last month a modified Dreamliner safely took to the skies over Tokyo with top Boeing and ANA executives aboard, as the planemaker and its leading client sought to reassure passengers over the jetliner.

It was the first flight by an ANA 787 since the worldwide fleet of next-generation planes was grounded over safety concerns due to faulty batteries on board two planes.

ANA will reopen routes linking Tokyo's Narita airport to San Jose, California, with the Dreamliner fleet on June 1. Suspended flights between Narita and Seattle will also restart on June 1 but with the Boeing 777.

Reservations for these flights will start on Friday.

The 787 will also return to services from Tokyo's Haneda airport to Frankfurt and the Haneda-Beijing route on June 1.

ANA will also introduce the Dreamliner onto a further three international routes from this summer -- Narita to Beijing and Haneda to Taipei from June 1 as well as Narita to Shanghai from August 1.

Dreamliners will remain suspended on services between Chubu in central Japan and South Korea's main international airport of Incheon, as well as for flights from Kansai in western Japan to Incheon.

The 787 will also return to domestic flights starting from June 1.

SOURCE

Going for full fledged service after having its wings clipped for almost half a year


Air India set to resume Dreamliner flights


India's national carrier is set to resume flights of the Dreamliner aircraft next week, an airline source said on Wednesday, after the regulator gave the green light following safety modifications.

Air India owns six Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which Indian regulators had grounded from January 17 in line with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory to cease flying the aircraft.

"We have started test flights today. Commercial flights are set to start next week," an Air India official said Wednesday, declining to be named, adding that international flights may start by the third week of May.

World regulators grounded all 50 operating Dreamliners after a fire aboard a parked Japan Airlines 787 in January and a smoking battery that forced the emergency landing of an All Nippon Airways 787 the same month.

The FAA approved Boeing's new battery system design last month, which allowed airlines around the world to begin modifying the Dreamliner planes.

On Tuesday, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation gave the go-ahead to the planes after a joint meeting of officials from Air India and Dreamliner-maker Boeing.

"We have allowed them to fly," the DGCA chief Arun Mishra told AFP, adding that he was "satisfied" with the technical reports and modifications made in the jet's battery systems, which were initially identified as a concern.

Air India bought 27 Dreamliners as part of a multi-billion-dollar deal in 2005. It received the first plane last September and now has six, with the remaining 21 due to arrive by 2016.

Boeing has insisted that its Dreamliners are safe.

SOURCE

Another airline is bringing the Dreamliner back into the skies. Let's hope everything goes well


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Branson open to total sale of Virgin Australia


Virgin Group chief Richard Branson has aired the possibility of selling his entire stake in budget carrier Virgin Australia, saying the airline's branding is more important to him than ownership.

Branson, who founded Virgin Australia as a rival to Qantas in 2000, sold a 10 per cent share to Singapore Airlines last month, leaving him with 13 per cent.

The British billionaire refused to rule out selling his remaining stake, telling reporters "we will see" when asked about his future plans for the Australian carrier.

"I'm not too worried about whether we sell down most of our stakes," Branson said in remarks published by Australian media Wednesday.

"The 13 per cent is pretty strategic in that it could be very valuable to a player one day, but it's not that important from the Virgin Group's point of view."

Asked whether he would sell for the right price to fellow major stakeholder Etihad, Branson said: "We would cross that bridge if it came."

He said the "most important thing is the branding" -- the long-term royalties contract with the airline to use the Virgin name.

If Branson's latest 10 per cent sale to Singapore Airlines gets the nod from Australia's Foreign Investments Review Board, it will make the Asian carrier one of Virgin's top three stakeholders alongside Virgin Group and Air New Zealand.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad also holds a significant share, giving Virgin Australia hefty financial clout to contend domestically with Qantas.

Branson said it was remarkable that so many firms had an interest in Virgin, the second-largest carrier in Australia which has a lucrative air market due to its vast size and booming dollar.

Last year, Qantas and Emirates announced a major global alliance that opens up the Australian firm's domestic network of more than 50 destinations and nearly 5,000 flights per week to the Dubai-based airline.

Singapore Airlines is a key international competitor to Qantas, and it also recently sealed a deal for Virgin to buy a majority stake in Tiger Airways Australia, its loss-making local budget subsidiary.

SOURCE

He wants out? The only reason I can think of it is that it isn't making enough money for him. I rather him selling his losing F1 team than his stake in this airline.


Qatar Airways MPL Cadet Pilot Programme


  •     This application is open to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents of age 18 above.
  •     No flying experience required.
  •     With at least GCE ‘A’ Level or equivalent preferred (those with 5 GCE ‘O’ Level credits including Math, English and a Science subject may be considered)
  •     Successful candidates will spend up to 18 months on training to acquire a Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL) at ST Aerospace Academy in Singapore and overseas.
  •     This is a SELF-SPONSORED PROGRAMME and upon successful completion of training, candidate will be offered employment by Qatar Airways.
Click to enlarge


SOURCE

Singaporean aviation enthusiasts here is your chance. Go for the talk on 18th May at SMU to know more about it. Don't let it slip by, such opportunities do not come by easily, especially with a foreign airline.


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Singapore's 5th airport terminal to be ready in next decade


Singapore's fifth airport terminal will be ready in the next decade, with details on it expected at the end of the year.

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew announced this on Tuesday at a dinner recognising Changi Airport's airline partners, saying more information on the air hub's long-term masterplan will also be revealed then.

He urged Changi Airport to respond to "fundamental shifts" in the global aviation landscape to cement its status as a leading air hub.

Future plans for Singapore's airport are steadily taking flight, with a Changi 2036 Steering Committee masterminding the air hub's development.

Key to continued success is the ability to turnaround arrivals and departures quickly.

Having more flights but just two runways has not handicapped Changi Airport's ability to perform. In 2012, aircraft movements increased by nearly eight per cent.

Delays in departing flights were 40 per cent lower as of March this year compared to the previous year.

Plans are underway to convert Changi's third runway from military use to one which can be utilised by the airport.

This is expected to boost the air hub's turnaround capabilities at existing terminals.

Addition of a fifth terminal, or T5, will also bring the airport's passenger handling capacity beyond the annual 85 million expected with four terminals.

Senior vice president of market development for Changi Airport, Lim Ching Kiat, said: "When T5 is up, it will also be a three-runway system.

"So both, in terms of our runway capacity, as well as our terminal capacity... will be enhanced. But (as for) specific details, we're still studying various options."

Mr Lui said: "For Singapore aviation to continue to grow and thrive, all stakeholders must also work together and plan ahead together.

"To benefit from our air hub's potential, infrastructure planning and development is key. The strong growth in recent years makes it imperative for us to enhance Changi Airport's capacity."

The next development is to boost capacity at Terminal 4, slated to be completed in 2017.

It will be equipped to handle the needs of low-cost carriers and short-haul flights of full-service airlines.

SOURCE

Increasing capacity capability to cope with the higher volume of traffic at Changi Airport expected in the future. With the boom in low cost carriers, this is probably the right way to go; planning way ahead. With the 4th Terminal undergoing construction now and slated to be completed by 2017, the 5th Terminal will further cement Singapore as a aviation hub in the southeast asian region.


Airbus beats Boeing with January-March orders


French aerospace giant Airbus has shot ahead of US group Boeing in terms of net orders booked in the first four months of the year, taking almost twice as many, company data showed Tuesday.

Airbus, given a big boost by a deal last month with Turkish Airlines, said in a statement that it recorded 493 orders between January and April, compared with the 255 announced on Boeing's website.

The orders represent seven years of production, Airbus said.

The deal with Turkey's flag-carrier centres on Airbus' A320 medium-haul family of aircraft, mostly on the new fuel-efficient Neo versions, and includes firm orders for 82 planes and an option for 35 others, to be delivered by 2020.

During the period, the European aeroplane maker also said it had delivered 202 aircraft, a 10-per cent increase compared with the same four months a year ago.

Boeing, which last year wrested back the title as the world's biggest aircraft maker from Airbus but which since the start of 2013 has had to cancel deliveries of its long-haul 787 carriers owing to battery problems, delivered 183 aircraft in the same period.

Boeing is expected to resume delivery of its 737's this month.

SOURCE

A little hiccup for Boeing here, but it's alright for now since they can start delivering the Dreamliners again. As for orders, it is still early days in 2013. The volume should be quite close by the end of the year, unless Boeing gets hit by something big again on their 787s.



Sunday, May 5, 2013

Week 27: ATPL Ground School Week 27

Finally it's all over, but only temporary. Took the Perf A exam on Friday and it's a "hit & run" thing. You have no idea whether you will pass it or not, everyone is experiencing that sort of feelings. With only 20 questions and with each weighing the same amount of marks, the maximum number of incorrects you can afford is a grand total of FIVE! The room for error is the smallest amongst all papers I've sat for.

Lucky or not to pass it, I shall pray for the better and hope for the best.

Right after we left the examination room, we received our results for the ATPL papers. I almost fainted when I heard that the CFI had emailed us the results. I was so afraid to take a look at it.

A batch mate told me what papers I need to retake straightaway without me looking at the email, and to my relief, it is a short list. I failed Radio Aids and Air Law, which is what I've predicted in my previous blogpost. I'm only 2 questions away from passing for Radios, but I guess this is good enough for me; the result as a whole.

Went down to CAAS to book the retaking papers, and I'm $333 poorer. Retake will be at the end of May.

ATPL group papers: $300 each
Human Performance Limit paper: $165
Air Law paper: $33

This is certainly not cheap.

This is the kind of graph u read in Perf A. This is just one of the 36 of them

Obviously I'm having big trouble with Perf A

A better meal to appease the tortured body after the paper

Could have been worse, so I'll take this result with both hands

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Air India pilot, crew suspended over mid-air "distraction"


State-run carrier Air India said on Saturday it had suspended a pilot and two female flight attendants after a passenger jet's autopilot system was accidentally switched off "due to distraction".

The event occurred on an Air India Airbus flight to New Delhi from Bangkok last month carrying over 160 passengers and followed a series of other safety-related incidents involving the airline.

Air India denied media reports the pilot and co-pilot had taken a 40-minute cockpit break to snooze in business class seats and left two attendants in their places to operate the plane in their absence.

But it did say the pilot and two air hostesses had been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation and that the two airline attendants had overstayed the allowed length of time in the cockpit.

There was an "overstay of the cabin crew in the cockpit," the airline said, and "due to distraction the co-pilot had touched the autopilot disconnect button momentarily, but the same was connected back".

The airline did not reveal the nature of the distraction but the Times of India newspaper quoted an unnamed Air India source as saying the crew members' actions had "made a mockery of air safety".

Indian media reports alleged the pilots were giving the flight attendants flying lessons.

"At no point of time was the cockpit left unattended by the cockpit crew," the airline statement added.

Earlier this year, Air India suspended a senior pilot caught drunk just before he was to fly a passenger aircraft. Also in the last few years, authorities have discovered at least half a dozen Indian pilots flying aircraft using faked documents, including an Air India pilot.

Air India is the country's fourth-largest airline by market share and has been hit hard by rising fuel prices and fierce competition from private carriers that have added to its legacy of labour problems and crushing debts.

In March, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN aviation watchdog, expressed grave concerns about India's air safety, placing it among the 13 worst-performing nations.

An investigation into the auto-pilot incident is being carried out by India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

"Following a safety violation, the airline has already suspended the people in question," said the agency.

SOURCE

Lazy pilots don't deserve to be pilots. They take safety for granted and did not spare a thought for the safety of paying passengers in the cabin. This is very irresponsible and totally broke the conduct of being a professional aviator.


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Horrifying Video Of 747 Crash In Afghanistan


Shocking new footage has surfaced that appears to show a 747-400 cargo plane crashing at Afghanistan's Bagram Airfield. The crash reportedly left all seven Americans aboard the plane dead.

The Taliban took responsibility for the crash shortly after it occurred yesterday, but NATO told the Associated Press that these claims were false.

One army spokesperson said the crash occurred due to low altitude after takeoff. The plane, run by Florida-based National Airlines, a subsidiary of National Air Cargo, was reportedly carrying vehicles and other cargo and was bound for Dubai.

We talked to aviation expert and retired United Airlines captain Ross Aimer, who hesitated to speculate on the cause of the crash but said the plane might have stalled after taking off at too sharp an angle.

"The very high angle of the airplane, … is a definite no-no," Aimer said. "There's no way they could control that. Once you get into that, it stalls."

Once the plane stalls, it stops flying and "drops like a rock," he said.

Another possibility is a cargo shift.

"Something they were carrying might have been heavy and not tied down properly and shifted all the way to the back of the airplane," Aimer said.

The National Transportation Safety Board issued a press release that says a team will investigate the crash.

"I don't know the answers and we won't until they get the black boxes," Aimer said.




SOURCE

It's unfortunate, this crash. Hopefully the investigations will give us a clearer picture of what really happened up there. RIP to the 7 American crew members.