ST Aerospace approved as Singapore’s first 3rd party FTO
Singapore-based ST Aerospace today announced that the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has approved its commercial pilot training subsidiary, ST Aviation Training Academy (STATA), as a Flight Training Organisation (FTO). This makes STATA the first third-party FTO in Singapore to provide pilot training without affiliation to airlines.
The move is likely to reduce Australian flying school opportunities for the training of SE Asian airline pilots because the approval allows aspiring pilots who train with STATA to be CAAS-certified, eliminating the previous practice of having to convert licences obtained from foreign FTOs to a Singapore licence.
Students will graduate with a CAAS Commercial Pilot Licence and Instrument Rating (CPL/IR), which is required by Singapore-registered airlines.
Mr Yap Ong Heng, Director-General, CAAS, said: “CAAS is pleased to approve STATA as a Flight Training Organisation. With this achievement, STATA will augment the pilot training capacity and will help meet the industry need for qualified pilots as the demand for air travel grows.”
Mr Tay Kok Khiang, President, ST Aerospace added: “With CAAS’ approval as Singapore’s first third-party FTO, STATA is well on track to achieving its vision to become a full-fledged pilot training organisation. Having undergone and meeting the stringent requirements of CAAS’ rigorous approval process, our airline customers can be assured that STATA is equipped to train pilots for their business. This FTO approval from CAAS attests to the high standards and processes that STATA has in place.”
Managed and operated by ST Aerospace as part of its global network, ST Aerospace’s commercial pilot training academy now becomes the first non-airline affiliated FTO in Singapore, and the second FTO after the Singapore Flying College that trains pilots for the Singapore Airlines group.
STATA was established in 2007 and since October 2008 has been operating under a Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA) Air Operators Certificate, which allows the school to train pilots for the CASA CPL/IR at its school in Ballarat, Victoria. STATA had also obtained the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) CCAR141 approval to train pilots for the Chinese carriers.
To develop its program further, STATA is also conducting a “beta trial” (proving program) for Multi-crew Pilot License (MPL) training, a modern pilot training concept using advanced training techniques and simulators that prepares pilots for operating modern multi-crew jet aircraft. STATA’s MPL program is developed through close collaboration with major industry players as stakeholders that include national aviation authorities, educational institutions, simulation experts and renowned aviation professionals to ensure an effective MPL program.
