Expensive Hobbies

[jemauvais]

Sigh, not happy today.

I went to Seletar Airport today to check out the 2 flying clubs, Republic of Singapore Flying Club and Seletar Flying Club.  While the latter club was not open, I spoke to the 2 gentlemen of the RSFC about how I could get back in the air again behind the controls of a light aircraft, and this is what it entails:One time

Comments

[bisoumoi]

Erm sorry... But I thought you are flying?

[jemauvais]

Yes and no: I am a pilot but still undergoing training, so I don't get to actually hand-fly the big jets yet.  I have flown light aircraft and business jets but since I'm past that stage of training, I don't do that any more... and I'm missing it more and more!  I really want to get up there again!

[bisoumoi]

Ah, I get it now. Don't they have to get you to fly so you keep moulding those skills instead of observing most of the time?

[jemauvais]

Well the aircraft we used to fly are not really related in size, weight and handling to what we're going to fly so they'll just train us up again when we do start our training on the big jets.

In the meantime they want us to observe and understand the systems of the aircraft first... which means I don't get to actually fly until sims start, maybe in September. :(

[cannotmakeit]

Yeah why again?

[jemauvais]

Haven't flown since end-June 2009 and all my flights so far are observation flights so I don't actually get to hand-fly.  Besides, hand-flying a big jet and hand-flying a small Cessna is very different, and I want to fly again!

[mappleleaf]

Clubs in Malaysia are way cheaper, if I remember correctly.

[jemauvais]

Yeah but the DCA is clamping down on Singaporeans getting a 9M licence for some reason.  I think it's a pride thing-they say that such flying clubs should be reserved for Malaysians instead of existing mainly for Singaporeans, but then again, I hear that without Singaporeans coming in to spend money there, the clubs are suffering.

I technically don't need training, but converting to a 9M PPL requires a check flight, and that's not allowed under the social visit pass we use to enter Malaysia (that's the excuse they're using).  And if they are being stupidly anal about clamping down, there's no way they will approve a training visa, even if it's just to do 1 flight and a couple of exams.

[mappleleaf]

jinping hereee! hehe come michigan to find me! its 70ish per hour for rental =P and membership hangerfees and other what nots are pretty negligible compared to ur singapore rates!

[jemauvais]

I wish I could!  But I need to get my CPL converted to an FAA PPL first! :P

How's life?  When are you coming back to start your BWC?