The Singapore Youth Flying Club (SYFC) is a flight school based in Seletar Airport, primarily funded by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).[3][4] Established in 1971, the club aims to introduce and promote aviation to students, by providing aeromodelling courses for secondary school students and flight training courses for pre-tertiary students, and encourage trained pilots to serve in the RSAF.[5][6]
As of 2023, more than 7,500 students have been through the flight training programme, with over 1,200 students graduating with a private pilot licence (PPL), 80% of whom move on to become RSAF pilots.[5][7]
History
Recognising the need to maintain a steady stream of pilots for the RSAF, the Junior Fying Club was established by Minister for Defence Goh Keng Swee in December 1971 to offer free flight training to youths in Singapre, with the initial fleet consisting of eight Cessna 172s and six AESL Airtourers.[8]
On 5 March 1988, Minister for Education Tony Tan announced the renaming of Junior Flying Club to Youth Flying Club, aligning the club's intent of developing youth pilots in Singapore.[9]
On 12 November 1989, Minister for Communications and Second Minister for Defence (Policy) Yeo Ning Hong announced the acquisition of 12 Piper Warrior IIs to replace the initial fleet, at a cost of S$2 million.[10]
On 23 June 2001, Minister of State for Defence and Information and the Arts David Lim announced the construction of a S$16 million new clubhouse at its current location, and the Youth Flying Club was renamed to the Singapore Youth Flying Club.[11]
23 March 2006 – A Piper PA28, registration 9V-BOE, operated by a student pilot on his first solo flight collided with a parked van in Seletar Airport. The pilot made a premature turn into a wrong parking bay, where there was a parked aircraft and van, and attempted to correct the situation by taxiing between the parked aircraft and van. While successfully avoiding collision with the parked aircraft, the pilot did not look on his left, leading to an impact with the parked van and the left wing of his aircraft. No injuries were reported.[14]
30 October 2007 – A Piper PA28, registration 9V-BOH, operated by a student pilot on a solo flight veered off the runway in Seletar Airport, causing the sole runway at the airport to be closed for about two hours. No injuries were reported.[15]
11 August 2013 – A Diamond DA40, registration 9V-YFM, operated by a student pilot on a solo flight veered off the runway in Seletar Airport upon landing, leading to an impact between a taxiway signboard and the aircraft. No injuries were reported.[16]
