SINGAPORE FLYING COLLEGE CHOOSES SUNSHINE COAST FOR ADVANCED FLIGHT TRAINING OPERATIONS

Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has been chosen by the Singapore Flying College (SFC) as the location for its Advanced Flight Training Operations. The SFC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines and currently operates flight training facilities in Singapore and at Jandakot, in Western Australia, which provides basic flying training.

Aeromil (Australia) Proprietary Limited has been chosen by SFC as the preferred supplier for maintenance and support services for the four Learjet 45 training aircraft which will be relocated to the Sunshine Coast. Currently, cadet pilots are trained on these training aircraft in Singapore.

Negotiations are underway to finalise the contract, which will see the relocation of the Learjets and an Advanced Flight Simulator to a new, purpose-built facility at Maroochydore Airport.

Announcing the award of preferred supplier today, Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice-President Flight Operations and Chairman of the Singapore Flying College, Captain Maurice De Vaz, said Aeromil, and the Sunshine Coast, prevailed over a number of interstate and overseas alternatives that were considered as possible sites.

“The decision was taken to relocate the training aircraft based on our assessment of better access to airspace, a wider route structure and the ability to access reliable supplies of aircraft parts, maintenance and overhaul,” Captain DeVaz said.

“Singapore Airlines plans to operate its fleet of four Learjet training aircraft from the Maroochydore Airport to and from locations around eastern Australia. This facility will continue the training excellence provided to our pilots from Singapore Flying College.

“We have ten years experience in Australia operating a training facility at Jandakot. Over that time, we have worked hard to establish ourselves as a good corporate citizen, and will do likewise during our tenure on the Sunshine Coast,” Captain DeVaz said.

Subject to successful contract negotiations, which will take place over coming weeks, SIA plans the relocation to occur during the first half of 2002. The timing will be dependant on achieving relocation of the simulator and necessary regulatory approvals.