DPM TEO VISITS RSAF PERSONNEL AT 130 SQUADRON IN PERTH

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean visited personnel of the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) 130 Squadron (130 SQN) at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Pearce, Perth, today as part of his official visit to Australia.

130 SQN, which is part of the RSAF's Flying Training Institute (FTI), conducts a nine-month long Basic Wings Course (BWC) which provides potential RSAF pilots with the knowledge and skills of basic flying before they progress to advanced aircraft training.

As part of his visit to the squadron, Mr Teo viewed a static display of the state-of-the-art Pilatus PC-21 trainer aircraft and tried out a flight simulator which is part of 130 SQN's suite of ground-based training systems. The flight simulator can generate complex operational scenarios aimed at enhancing the RSAF pilot trainees' situational awareness and skills in aerial tactics.

Speaking during his visit, Mr Teo highlighted the importance of our overseas training bases in meeting the RSAF's training requirements. He said, "We're very grateful to the Australian government for allowing us to do our flight training here in Perth. We have a very good flying environment, a lot of airspace, and very good support from the RAAF. That enables our pilots to train effectively and efficiently in the shortest possible time, and also to overcome our constraints of airspace in Singapore."

"I was happy to see the new training system that is in place here for our flying training school in Pearce. It has got ground facilities that help to prepare the students with simulators before they even start flying, and reinforces the flying part of what the students do. The learning process is very structured and provides the student with a very good foundation. We are also able to teach the students new skills which are very important in their future careers as pilots, whether they are in the fighter, transport or helicopter world. We have also got support from the contractor, who maintains the aircraft and the simulator system, and this allows us to carry out our training effectively and efficiently, as well as allow the instructors to focus on getting the most out of the students, he added.