Singapore Youth Flying Club
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The Singapore Youth Flying Club (SYFC) was established in December 1971 as the Junior Flying Club by the then newly-formed Singapore Armed Forces to introduce aviation and provide flight training to the youths of Singapore. The Club, synonymous with the Republic of Singapore Air Force, has the primary mission of attracting young Singaporeans to military aviation. Its vision is to be a world-class aviation-training centre for youths through its aeromodelling courses for secondary-school students and flying training for tertiary students. It also has a mission to promote aviation and inculcate a strong passion for flying among Singaporean youths. It is hoped that members of the SYFC would continue to fulfill their passion for flying by taking up a career in the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
The headquarters of the SYFC is situated at Seletar Airport and features a modern architecture that houses its flying and aeromodelling activities.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Leading factors
The Singapore Armed Forces did not have any aircraft in 1968. Neither did it have pilots or flying instuctors. The Royal Air Force (RAF) agreed to share facilities and services at the RAF airfield in Seletar, which would later be the home of the Junior Flying Club.
Qualified flying instuctors came from Airwork Services Limited, a British company specialising in defence services. They trained Singaporean pilots on two Cessnas hired from the civilian Singapore Flying Club. By August 1969, Mr Lim Kim San, Minister for Interior and Defence, inaugurated the Flying Training School at RAF Tengah, now Tengah Air Base. The school received another eight Cessna 172s, which would later be the Junior Flying Club's first aircraft.
Thus, when the British announced in January 1968 that they would be withdrawing all their armed forces in Singapore by the end of 1971 instead of around the mid-1970s, there was a cause for great concern. Singapore, newly independent in 1965, had been building up the Singapore Armed Forces and depending on the British for air support in the meantime.
In a speech in March 1968, then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew said,
"We are presented with an even greater challenge to build within four years an air defence capability which...is both capable, and if when put to the test, will not be found inadequate."
Singaporeans responded quickly to advertisements put in the newspapers, and shortly after Mr Lee announced the need to build an air force, the first batch of pilot trainees was selected. Then, as with today, the men had to undergo though medical and aptitude tests and interviews. Those who made it through quickly went on to basic-flight training for the Private Pilot's Licence. Once they had the licence, they were dispatched to the United Kingdom for jet training. The first group of six pilots left for the United Kingdom in August 1968, just eight months after the British announced their earlier withdrawal. By September 1968, the Singapore Air Defence Command was established.
[edit] The Junior Flying Club is born
As the Singapore Air Defence Command was built up, it became clear that more had to be done to prepare suitable candidates for pilot training. By 1970, the Flight Training School's Cessnas were being replaced by a more suitable basic trainer for combat pilots - the Siai-Marchetti SF 260.
It was decided that the Cessnas could be used to introduce flying to students and thus create a wider base of pilot applicants for seletion. Thus, in 1971, the Junior Flying Club was born.
Former General Manager of SYFC, LTC (Ret) Timothy de Souza, said,
"The Junior Flying Club was not set up to recruit pilots for the Air Force. The Club's aim was to introduce the idea of flying to young people, with the hope that, with the experience, they might consider a career in the Air Force. There is no compulsion to apply for the Air Force after you get a flying licence. It's free and unconditional. You join us, [and] we show you what flying is all about. The decision is still yours - but this time, you'll have a lot more information."
Singapore, after all, did not have a strong flying heritage. A British colony, much of the flying Singaporeans had observed in earlier times would have been carried out by RAF pilots. Even commercial flying would have been out of the reach for ordinary Singaporeans. Airline pilots were mostly Caucasians.
The Junior Flying Club, however, did more than just introduce the idea of flying to young people. It gave students a chance to take up an activity that might otherwise have been prohibitively expensive. It introduced such a high level of discipline that flight training was also seen as a first-class means of developing one's character.
[edit] The SYFC heritage
[edit] The old days
In the Club's first days, student pilots flew from Sembawang Airfield, now Sembawang Air Base. The Club would later be moved to Seletar Air Base (later became Seletar Airport). A part of the Republic of Singapore Air Force for over two decades, the Club's facilities had a "military" feel to them. Structures were strictly functional, and in some cases, quite rudimentary.
One exception was the Club's Aeromodelling and Recruitment Centre at Harding Road in Tanglin. However, yet again, it was located near a military facility, this time the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Central Manpower Base (CMPB). The Centre ended operations at Tanglin in 1999.
Aeromodelling and recruitment activities moved to the Air Force School at Paya Lebar that year. The aeromodelling was done in a workshop there while members flew their models in the sports complex of the Air Force School. Administrative staff were spread out over a number of small offices at the school.
The flying programme was run from Seletar Air Base where there was another clubhouse, referred to as the Main Clubhouse. Flight operations were run from there. Parts of this "Main Clubhouse" included the operations, administration, and hangar annexe. The was also a Ground School and Finance annexe as well as a changing room for the students, a store, and a garden where instructors and students would sit to discuss flights. There was also a library of aviation books and a lounge where students can relax or study.
[edit] The name
SYFC first operated as part of the Air Force, first the Singapore Air Defence Command, then the Republic of Singapore Air Force. This military link was reflected in some of the name changes of the Club. In 1980, it was renamed the Light Aircraft Squadron, and then, in 1982, 151 Squadron.
By 1988, the Club's mission had broadened from just encouraging flying among Singaporean youths to providing a chance for them to take part in an activity that might lead to careers in any sector in the aviation industry. The Club, thus, became Youth Flying Club.
Finally in September 1990, the Club became a non-military entity, separate from the Air Force. In this form, it could being to take part in activities outside Singapore, and get in touch with flying clubs in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. However, today, the Club is synonymous with the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
By 2001, flying was included in Singapore's secondary school's Co-Curricular Programme. School-based Youth Flying Clubs were set up and came under the purview of the national Youth Flying Club. To reflect this change in organisation, the Club changed its name yet again to Singapore Youth Flying Club.
[edit] A new home
Central to the Club's modernisation plan was the new clubhouse. In its entire history, the Club had never had a building designed specifically for its activities. Therefore, the staff of SYFC came up with a vision for the new building: "The new Singapore Youth Flying Club building is to be an edifice which reflects the character and ethos of the SYFC in the 21st century."
It would be a tough brief for the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). The building had to be distinctly "aviation". It had to have an air of youthful exuberance too. The architectural challenge was made more difficult with the range of activities for the Club's new home.
Some of the roles the new building had to play were:
- Serve as the headquarters of the Singapore Youth Flying Club
- Be a fitting abode for all the aeromodelling clubs in Singapore as the SYFC chairs the Singapore National Aeromodelling Association Protem Committee
- Serve as the Operations Centre, which includes the briefing rooms and flight simulator
- House all maintenance support facilities, including the First Line office and the Technical Officers' offices
- House the Ground School, including mass briefing rooms, Computer-Aided Instruction classrooms, student study rooms, a library, and offices for all instructors
- House the Aeromodelling Workshops
- Provide conference facilities
- Provide a cafeteria for all the building's users and guests
But it was not enough that the building provide a totally conducive environment for training, work, and recreational activities. The ease with which people could move through the building to do their jobs was another factor. The image the Club would project was also important. It would have to be cutting-edge and use state-of-the-art technology.
The new building would have some tough acts to follow. Often voted the best airport in the world, Singapore Changi Airport already marked Singapore out as an aviation hub. The reputation of the Republic of Singapore Air Force as the premier air force in the region and its link to the SYFC meant the new premises would have to reflect this quality.
[edit] The building process
The groundbreaking for the new building took place on June 23, 2001, with Mr David Lim, then Minister of State for Defence and Information and the Arts, as Guest-of-Honour. The event was attended by 400 people.
But within months of the groundbreaking, structural changes had to be made to the original design to ensure much higher levels of security. After the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, all civilian aircraft were perceived as potential weapons. The plans for the SYFC building had to be modified to take this new reality into account.
One of the first tasks after groundbreaking was the demolition of a British pre-war building, Block 533, that was standing on the site. After that, the piles were driven in, with the deepest going 37 metres into the soil. Barely a year after groundbreaking, the first storey was completed and work on the second storey and aircraft parking sheds (apron) began.
On December 20, 2002, 200 guests turned up to observe Mr Peter Ho, Permanent Secretary (Defence), perform the topping-up ceremony to mark the end of the building phase. By April 2003, the Club's interiors were in place.
On May 17, 2003, less than two years after groundbreaking, the Defence Science Technology Agency Project Management Team handed over the ownership of the new building to SYFC.
[edit] Back to work
The SYFC staff moved equipment and airplanes from the old building to their new home that May. With dispersal markings completed on May 28, 2003, SYFC's fleet of aircraft taxied to the new premises on May 29. That day, a single Piper Warrior took off and flew over Seletar, marking the start of flying operations from the new SYFC building. Normal operations began the very next day on May 30. The SYFC celebrated the official opening of the new building on September 27, 2003, with the Minister for Defence, RADM (NS) Teo Chee Hean, as Guest-of-Honour.
[edit] The fleet
| Aircraft | Total |
|---|---|
| PAC CT/4E | 2 |
| Piper Warrior II (PA-28-161) | 12 |
The Junior Flying Club started off with a fleet of eight Cessna 172Ks, a Cessna 172H (AF100 - the Air Force's very first airplane), and a Cessna 150H - all handed down from the Air Force. Over the years, the Club has also operated Falke motor gliders, the SF25B, and the AT-6 Airtourers. In 1989, it upgraded the entire fleet to 12 Piper Warriors (PA-28-161). The old Warriors are still serving the SYFC today.
The Piper Warrior is a sturdy workhorse and very safe as a basic trainer for PPL students. The Piper's chief purpose is to provide safe, reliable, and comfortable transport. To challenge better pilots, a more responsive and agile aircraft is needed. SYFC realised that to offer this challenge, an airplane with aerobatic capability was needed.
The Club decided to begin with two aerobatic aircraft. The specific operational requirements of the aircraft were worked out in early 2001. These included basics like a fixed undercarriage and a piston propeller drive. While having aerobatic capability, the plane also had to be suitable for use in beginner training. It should be capable of operating at night and equipped to be flown on instruments alone. A glass cockpit was also specified.
Two manufacturers, Czechoslovakian ZLIN 240 and New Zealand's CT/4E Airtrainer responded to the tender. Evaluation trails were carried out in the aircraft's respective home countries. The CT/4E was eventually selected in late 2001. Subsequently, SYFC pilots and technicians went for training in two batches in 2002.
Two CT/4Es were delivered in June 2002 and designated with the registration 9V-BPA and 9V-BPB. Run-in under local conditions, the two aircraft were commissioned on November 9, 2002, by the then Minister of State for Defence, Mr Cedric Foo.
[edit] 2000 to present
[edit] YFC21
In 2000, the SYFC embarked on a major modernisation programme to meet the new millennium. Named YFC21, this programme had five key parts:
- A new Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) to be introduced in secondary schools in 2001
- A fully-computerised Ground School offering Computer-Aided Instruction
- New aircraft with aerobatic capability and advanced avionics
- A flight simulator for training
- A customised building that would be the centre for all the Club's activities
All five parts of the programme meant significant change for the Club. In the case of becoming a school-based CCA, the SYFC would have a very different status in schools. It would be a recognised activity with full school support and teachers to run the Club. In the past, the Club depended on School Liaison Officers (SLOs) to keep in touch with student pilots and to promote flying. These teachers were usually based in the junior colleges and polytechnics. As the number of pilots was very small in any institution, SLOs often had other CCAs to be in charge of, and SYFC activities were just "add-on".
[edit] The man behind YFC21
Until his appointment as Permanent Secretary, Defence Development in 1999, Mr Peter Ho, now the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of the Civil Service, had no association with the SYFC and had never set foot on its grounds. But with his new appointment came the chairmanship of the SYFC's Board of Governors, so Mr Ho went out to have a look at the Club.
Responding to the fact that SYFC had an excellent record in producing pilots for the Republic of Singapore Air Force, Mr Ho said,
"The statistics showed that we should take the YFC very seriously. The historical data showed that one in five of our RSAF pilots had been a YFC member. Half of the people in the RSAF were from the YFC. So it was clear that the YFC had played a critical role and we therefore should put in a lot of effort to ensure it could fulfil its mission in the long run."
[edit] "Flying Colours"
On June 24, 2006, in conjunction with its annual PPL Wings and Aviation Awards Ceremony, SYFC celebrated its 35th anniversary since its establishment in 1971. SYFC also launched its first book ever, "Flying Colours", to commemorate the anniversary. The 172-page hardcover book, written and compiled by one of Singapore's award-winning and most prolific contemporary author, Colin Cheong, documents the early days of the Junior Flying Club to the present Singapore Youth Flying Club with a myriad of photographs and in-depth interviews. Colin Cheong was also a member of the then Junior Flying Club in the 1980s.
Below is an excerpt of the speech by the Minister for Defence, RADM (NS) Teo Chee Hean, who graced the anniversary celebration as its guest-of-honour.
"When the Singapore Youth Flying Club was formed in 1971, Singapore was a very young nation, barely six years old, struggling to make its way as an independent country. Singaporeans then had no experience of flying. And so, our Defence Minister at the time, Dr Goh Keng Swee, was quick to support the idea of a CCA programme that would give young Singaporeans the real experience of actually flying. We have taken many steps since then. In 35 years, the Singapore Youth Flying Club has conducted 198 flying courses for almost 4,000 students. It has awarded 684 Private Pilot's Licences to student pilots who have graduated. Over 4,000 students have learnt aero-modelling. The Singapore Youth Flying Club has established itself as the champion of youth aviation. It is now a flourishing CCA in our Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges, Polytechnics, and Universities."
[edit] SYFC as a Co-Curricular Activity
Until 2001, the Singapore Youth Flying Club was not part of the Ministry of Education's Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) Programme. The SYFC and its predecessors, like the Junior Flying Club, were an "external" activity, a club that students could join on a voluntary basis outside of school as an extra-curricular activity. It was often compulsory to join a school-based CCA, however.
Even the student pilots at junior colleges or polytechnics were not in a true school-based CCA. For secondary-school students, this was a matter of some concern. Under the CCA system, a student is given points based on his level of participation and the leadership roles he takes up within a club or group in a school-based CCA. These points form the basis of a grade which he can then use for admission into a junior college. For junior college and polytechnic students, the points awarded to them can be used for scholarship applications and even university entry.
Still, some students, especially younger boys, joined the SYFC from Secondary One onwards. Enthusiastic about aviation, these students built flying models of airplanes and learned to fly them up to competitive level. Today, many secondary schools have set up "school" YFCs, tapping into the expertise, programmes, and resources of the SYFC. School Liaison Officers are also much more involved in the delivery of the training programme. The SYFC still maintains an "open" unit for students from secondary schools without "school" YFC in their schools.
The SYFC CCA programme kick-started in five secondary schools. It is designed to take a student through four years of training and was orgnanised lead members into the Basic Flying Course and Private Pilot's Licence course once they reached junior college or polytechnic level. Today, almost 22 secondary schools in Singapore list SYFC as one of their CCAs.
[edit] Training
[edit] The PPL course
A student pilot's training for the Private Pilot's Licence is made up of two parts. There is Ground School, and the classroom component in which a pilot learns Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, Aircraft Rating, Human Performance and Limitations and Radio Telephony. This classroom portion alone takes up almost 50 hours of instruction time, not to mention the time required to master those topics for the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore's Ground Examination. Outside of lectures, the students can also work on the material alone using SYFC's Computer Aided Instruction system.
[edit] Ground school
Regular classes are held during normal operating hours. Students attend four lessons a week, either lectures or Computer-Aided Instruction sessions. When Ground School moved to the current SYFC building, the number of computer terminals was increased to 32, making it easier for students to find an available terminal to work on. Students can also book their lessons online. While convenient for students, it also helps instructors monitor the progress of their students. Progress is also quickly checked with a computerised marking system. Marking time has been cut from 15 minutes for 50 questions to about one second.
Recent enhancements since Ground School was computerised include the upload of lessons like videos on meteorology, slides on engine parts, and dissected cockpit instruments and engines. Flight briefings, based on the Club's well-tested data from years of flying in the area, are now also available electronically.
[edit] Flying
Flying is divided into two parts. In the first, the Basic Flying Course, the instructor flies with the students throughout all flights. This usually takes place over 20 sorties of an hour each. On the completion of these sorties, the instructor must decide if the student is ready to fly his/her First Solo flight, and thus, progress to the Private Pilot's Licence (PPL) course under the instructor's discretion.
The second part is the PPL course. During this phase, for all but one sortie, the training flight begins with the instructor in the cockpit for the first half of the flight. After half an hour, the instructor is dropped off and the student takes off alone for about 30 minutes of practice. By the end of the PPL course, a successful pilot would have clocked about 50 to 60 hours of time in the air, with about one-fifth of that time flying solo. The whole flying course ends with a Flight Handling Test (FHT) in which the student pilot demonstrates to the examiner the competency of his/her flying skills required for the qualification of a private pilot.
The total lesson time to get a Private Pilot's Licence is about 110 hours, but the personal preparation required from each student is far longer and greater. Students are also taught "mental flying", an important part of their mental preparation in which they visualise the flight and the specific exercises they have to perform before they go on a sortie.
As each flight build on earlier sorties, every flight preparation is extremely important. The lack of commitment and enthusiasm are usually attributed to the student's failure in completing the flying course. Therefore, each student is expected to be capable of juggling flying training and academics. However, with such a stringent and disciplined system of operations, the SYFC has been successful in producing pilots competent for the country's Air Force.
As said by RADM (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State for Education, during the PPL Wings and Aviation Awards Ceremony 2007,
"Besides developing skills required in flying and aeromodelling, SYFC programmes also hone important life skills, embracing a holistic approach to encompass character building and leadership development. These are achieved through experiential learning activities, competitions, assuming leadership roles, and participation in community involvement in projects."
[edit] The SYFC Flying Alumni
The SYFC Flying Alumni, or simply referred to as "The Alumni", was inaugurated in 1993 and is made up of pilot graduates of SYFC. All members who successfully attained their Private Pilot's Licences are, by default, listed as an alumnus. The pilot graduates continue to maintain their relationship with the SYFC by serving in the Alumni.
The Alumni, being an integral arm of SYFC, plays a complementary role. Internally, it provides mentoring to student pilots both in the Basic Flying Course and PPL course on a regular basis. Through these mentoring sessions, students have another platform where they can seek help from besides their flying instructors. The Alumni also conducts Clubhouse tours for external organisations and regularly plays host to parents of student pilots where the former learns extensively about the Club's operations and experience for themselves a flight in the Piper Warrior. Some of the external events that the Alumni participate with SYFC includes the biannual Republic of Singapore Air Force Open House, Asian Aerospace, Singapore Airshow 2008, to name a few.
Deserving alumni members are selected to visit foreign air bases and organisations, such as attachment to RSAF's 130 Squadron at Pearce Air Base in Perth, Western Australia. The attachment gives members an insight into the training and lifestyles of pilot trainees abroad. Other overseas trips include event collaborations with foreign flying clubs in Malaysia and even Thailand.
One of the big scale projects of the Alumni was the December 2007 community trip to Laos. This trip aimed to benefit Laotian youths through the Alumni's effort in school refurbishments, public speaking courses, and Information Technology (IT) training.
[edit] Facilities
The facilities at the SYFC aim to provide the members the most conducive environment to excel in their flying and in ground school. They include:
- A state-of-the-art Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) ground school
- A Piper Warrior II flight simulator that features 170 degrees of horizontal and 40 degrees of vertical visual projections with a realistic worldwide coverage of Jeppesen NavData
- Flight briefing and mass briefing rooms with the most modern instructional training aids
- A large aircraft parking and maintenance hangar
- A library
- A hobby and gift shop
- A cafeteria
- A viewing gallery of the runway on the second level
- Specially designed aeromodelling workshops
[edit] Transport
Staff and members of SYFC have a direct shuttle service from Seletar Camp to the Clubhouse throughout its day of operations. The free shuttle service facilitates the school schedule of its students, who often have to attend school classes after training and vice versa.
[edit] Public transport
SYFC can be reached by SBS bus service 103M from Serangoon Bus Interchange. Likewise, bus service 103M can be boarded at the main gate of Seletar Camp. Alight at the 5th bus stop from the Seletar Camp bus stop.
[edit] Bus services to Seletar Camp
86 from Sengkang Bus Interchange and Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange
858 from Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange
168 from Bedok and Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange
39 from Yishun and Tampines Bus Interchange
[edit] Milestones
- Dec 1971
The Junior Flying Club is founded to introduce flying to a young generation of Singaporeans. A part of Singapore's fledgling Air Force, the Club's primary mission is to attract young Singaporeans into military aviation.
- Sep 1980
The Club is renamed the Junior Flying Club/Light Aircraft Squadron.
- Jan 1982
The Club is renamed the Junior Flying Club/151 Squadron.
- Feb 1982
The Annexe of 151 Squadron is officially opened.
- Mar 1987
The first Flying Experience Programme for National Servicemen begins. This is meant to give NSmen exposure to flying. Over the years, many make the decision to become Air Force pilots because of this programme.
- 1988
The Club is renamed the Youth Flying Club.
- Oct 1989
The Club's new fleet of 12 aircraft, the Piper Warrior II (PA-28-161), is introduced into service.
- Sep 1990
The Club is made a separate entity from the Republic of Singapore Air Force. This will allow it to participate in regional and international civilian aviation events.
- Nov 1991
First participation in the LIMA Airshow in Malaysia.
- 1993
Inauguration of the YFC Alumni.
- Apr 1999
Inaugural Parents' and Teachers' Day. This will become a key programme of the YFC to promote confidence among the parents of student pilots.
- 2000
Launch of YFC21 master plan which includes a new building and two new aircraft with aerobatic capability. The plan will also see the SYFC introducing a Secondary School CCA programme.
- May 2001
The club is renamed the Singapore Youth Flying Club.
- Jun 2001
Groundbreaking for the new SYFC building by Mr David Lim, Minister of State for Defence, and Information and the Arts.
- Nov 2002
Commissioning Ceremony for the two new PAC CT/4E aircraft by Mr Cedric Foo, Minister of State for Defence.
- Dec 2002
Topping-up ceremony for the new SYFC building by Mr Peter Ho, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence.
- May 2003
Handing over and blessing of the new building. Staff move from old buildings to the new one. The aircraft are also moved over. Flying operations commenced from the new premises on May 30, 2003.
- Sep 2003
Official opening of the new building by the Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean.
- Jul 2005
Opening of the Flying Circle Complex at the SYFC.
- Mar 2006
The SYFC was awarded the ISO Certification by UKAS of the United Kingdom.
- May 2006
The first Piper Warrior Simulator arrives.
- Jun 2006
The SYFC celebrates its 35th Anniversary.
[edit] Picture gallery
 Aeromoelling lounge |
 Aircraft hangar |
 The viewing gallery overlooking the runway of Seletar Airport |
 Theatrette |
 Operations Room |
 The SYFC Piper Warrior II |
 The aircraft apron as seen from the viewing gallery |
[edit] Reference
- Cheong, Colin (2006), Flying Colours: Singapore Youth Flying Club, SNP International Publishing, ISBN 978 981 248 111 5
