FLYING? IT S LIKE RIDING A BIKE!

"Flying is just like riding a bicycle!"

One might think that newly-qualified pilot Officer Cadet (OCT) Ng Yeow Choon was "high". In reality, OCT Ng was merely recalling what his flight instructor told him.

"He meant that some students pick up flying faster, while others need more time. I belong to the latter category," he admitted.

It was also a struggle to juggle preparations for the A-level examinations and flying training, said OCT Ng. "However, all the effort paid off!"

Together with 36 others, OCT Ng received his Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Wings from Minister of State for Defence Koo Tsai Kee at Seletar West Camp on 26 Apr.

Even as he congratulated the newly-qualified pilots, Associate Professor Koo emphasised that passion for aviation could take many other forms.

This is why the Singapore Youth Flying Club (SYFC) offers aeromodelling as a co-curricular activity (CCA) in secondary schools.

The SYFC has also joined hands with the National Cadet Corps (NCC) to offer an aviator's programme to NCC cadets.

"This would create a healthy pool of potential aviators for the flying courses," said Prof Koo. He also noted that 14 of the graduating PPL pilots were in the NCC during their secondary school days.

Nurturing such talent in aviation had another benefit: identifying potential pilots for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

Indeed, 19 of those who received their wings have already applied to join the RSAF.

OCT Ng was one of them. Before deciding to sign on with the RSAF as a pilot, he had considered applying for a commercial pilot s job.

"While my passion is flying, I want to do more than just fly. In the Air Force, I believe I will be able to experience a more dynamic career," said OCT Ng.