T's Online

Their passion for planes, aviation, and flight is infectious. It’s not hard to see that they really enjoy what they are studying. Give them a flight simulator and they are clicking away with their cameras as if they’ve seen their idol. They look at a large model of a Boeing 747 and you can’t pull them away. Four students from the three aviation and aerospace related courses in TP tell us what drives them.

HOT STUFF

Beginning 2010, students studying Aviation Management & Services will have the option of a 12-month flying programme in their final year, so they graduate with a Private Pilot’s Licence on top of their diploma!

What attracted you to your course?

Sahul I’ve always wanted to do a specialised engineering course related to aerospace. So when I realised that TP had such a course, I knew that TP was the place for me. Plus TP aligns its curriculum to the CAAS SAR-66 module (a series of 12 exams which we have to pass to obtain an Aircraft Maintenance License, AML) and prepares us to obtain our AML much sooner.

Hardi I did some research before selecting a course and found that every aerospace student in TP is attached to the Lufthansa Technical Training (LTT) for practical training. I was very excited by this because I knew this would give me an edge when I graduate.

What’s your favourite subject?

Wei Jie I’m enjoying the airline-related subjects. The main purpose of airline operations is to make a profit, so it’s interesting to learn about different airlines’ management and operating principles.

Chin Kiat I still love Engineering Drawing (which I took in my first year) best. I have always enjoyed drawing and in this course, we learnt the basics of engineering drawings. With the addition of precise dimensions and notes, this piece of drawing speaks a thousand words for an engineer.

Hardi I really enjoy cross-disciplinary subjects; you are not restrained to learning only engineering subjects. One subject I’ve particularly enjoyed is Transnational Studies, where I got to learn more about other cultures.

Tell us a bit about what your day is like?

Chin Kiat A day in TP is always busy for me. Lessons usually start at 9am. During the breaks, my friends and I would move around TP to get good food. When classes end, I would usually visit my lecturer’s staff room to discuss projects and competitions. Then if I have spare time, I would drop by the Aeromodelling Club Room to catch up with friends and also have some flying time on the flight simulator. On Mondays and Fridays, my evenings are dedicated to the TP Concert Band, where I play the euphonium.

Sahul As the subjects are fun and the lecturers and tutors are friendly, no day is wasted in TP. Each day, there are lots to explore and learn. Our stress immediately ‘flies away’ when we interact freely and work together with our friends and classmates to research and find solutions for problems.

What’s been on your mind lately?

Hardi I’ve been thinking about my CAAS exam results which will be released shortly.

Chin Kiat We’ve just formed the Aerospace Engineering Interest Group and as a main committee member, there are many things I need to work on. What are your plans after you graduate from TP?

Sahul Since I want to become an aerospace engineer. I will be pursuing further studies either locally or overseas.

Wei Jie I definitely want to pursue a degree. Depending on my results, either a business degree locally or an aviation-related one overseas. Otherwise, I’ll start working first, and see what I can do about further education later.

Four fun facts about flight

From Sahul, Hardi, Chin Kiat and Wei Jie

The world’s very first successful flying machines were balloons filled with hot air created by two French brothers, Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier. It was sent up empty on 15 June 1783 and it rose to a height of about 1800 meters.
Leaving even a strand of hair in the aircraft engine during overhaul can be potentially catastrophic.
One of the strangest forms of lightning is ball lightning. It can form inside an airplane and appear to be rolling down the aisle while glowing and sparkling. Although it's startling, it has never harmed anyone!
We think that the role of the cabin crew is to ensure the comfort of the passengers, but above all, their main responsibility is to ensure passenger safety.