Flying in Singapore Ain't Easy...!

Hello gentlemen. Good to be back posting on the forum. The last year has been incredibly hectic for me. Just when I made the decision in New York at the end of 2006 to resume flying after a three year hiatus, I decided to move to Singapore after accumulating a mere 15 hours at KCDW (Caldwell, NJ) for total PIC time of 60 hours (45 hours accumulated in Chicago earlier). I have been settling down in Singapore for the last year, and am finally ready to continue my flight training. Boy do they make GA flying tough there.

Although I have not finished my research, here is what I have found so far:

> For private-pilot, non-commercial training there are essential two training options: Singapore (SIN) or Johor Bahru (JB), in Malaysia, which is about an hour away from Central Singapore. Singapore is convenient, but more expensive. JB is further away, but cheaper. Both cities are frequently used depending on prospective student's available time and money. Another attraction for flying out of JB is that you can travel throughout M'sia, whereas with training out of Singapore, the island is so small, that the airspace for practice and general flight is extremely restricted.

> There are two flights schools in Singapore. Three in JB. Each is strapped for cash, and run lean operations (hey, at least one similarity shared with the US). Each fly Cessna's (plus maybe one or two other models). The planes are 20 - 30 years old, although maintenance schedules are adhered to. Does not appear to be owner leasebacks of newer aircraft like Cessna's, Diamonds, etc. although I am still researching this. So either buy your own plane (very few take up this route given cost) or jump into that tin can and hope that they put the bolts back right in that last 100-hour inspection.

> Neither one of the flying clubs offer instrument ratings. Why? Because they indicate that because of "club" status they are not allowed to do so. Only "flight schools" are authorized to do so. Where is the nearest flight school that will take GA pilots? 2 hours away in M'sia. This is a SERIOUS problem for somebody that is keen to continue to certify themselves - you cannot get IFR trained from your flying club. I have not found a solution for this as yet other than to head to the US and spend 14 days in intensive training to get IFR rated, something I will likely seriously consider.

> Further, even if you did enroll in a M'sian flight school that will teach you IFR, M'sia prohibits IFR training in a M'sian registered SINGLE-engine aircraft. You can solve this by owning / training in a US (or other) N-registered aircraft. Or you are obliged to get your twin engine rating at the same time as your IFR.

> Only major airports offer AV-gas. Land in a smaller airport and are out of fuel? Unless you can convert your engines to accepting the much more prevalent jet-fuel D), you're also out of luck.

> Although I am still doing my research, aircraft financing appears to be non-existent in the region. Most OEM manufacturers have not developed finance / lease programs for Asia, and most banks have not looked at this line. If you choose to buy your plane, you need to put down cold, hard cash for 100% of the purchase price!

> Delivery times: Cessna - all sold out for 2008. Diamond - can't give you a plane for about 9 months. Liberty XL2 can supply you something within 2, but maybe - just maybe - that has something to do with the fact that its a new, untested (by GA pilots at least), and virtually unknown plane across the globe. Cirrus - still waiting to hear back.

Geez Louise! I love Asia for the many things it has to offer, but ease of recreational flying isn't one of them. I'm dying to get back into the air, but what a PITA to do so.

I long for the US, where flights schools are abundant, signing up is easy, airports are numerous, and once you've gotten a few hours under your belt and your CFI has signed off, you can just "get up and go."

Sorry for the long rant, but my enthusiasm has been tempered by the logistical hassles of training in either Singapore or Malaysia.

If there are others who have been successfully been able to navigate this labyrinthine, I would love to connect with you - please drop me a line.

I will continue to use this post as an "update blog" as I twist and turn my way into resuming my private-pilot training. I am still keeping the faith!

Watch this space.

Best.