Secures steady stream of new contracts and debuts its virtual reality training suite

Singapore, 12 February 2016 – Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd’s aerospace arm celebrates the success of its pilot training programmes at the Singapore Airshow 2016.  Focusing on its role as an integrated pilot training solutions provider, Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (ST Aerospace) will be featuring for the first time, its virtual reality training suite.

At the same time, ST Aerospace announced that it has clinched four pilot training contracts worth about $23m.

Steady Stream of Pilot Training Contracts

ST Aerospace’s four latest contract wins are for the following customers:

• A three-year ab-initio pilot training with China Airlines, in which the cadets will undergo the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia’s commercial pilot licence with instrumental rating programme at ST Aerospace’s flight academy located in Ballarat Airport in Victoria, Australia.
• An ab-initio pilot training with Hainan Airlines, in which the cadets will undergo a
  15-month integrated commercial pilot licence programme in Ballarat, Australia, certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
• A one-year extension contract from the Qatar Aeronautical College, to train the second batch of cadets for the multi-crew pilot licence (MPL) programme.
• An extension contract from Xiamen Airlines, in which the cadets will undergo a
  15-month integrated commercial pilot programme in Ballarat, Australia, certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Ingenious Virtual Reality Pilot Training Simulation Tool

An innovative provider of pilot training technology and pedagogy, ST Aerospace will be the first in Singapore to showcase a virtual reality training simulation tool, designed and developed for commercial pilot training, at the Singapore Airshow 2016. 

Leveraging immersive technology advancements in fidelity and cost, this new virtual reality tool enhances training pedagogy, as training may be conducted more effectively and in a conducive environment without the normal constraints of space and mobility currently faced by conventional simulator rooms.

Flight procedure training is a common element of a pilot training programme.  Its seemingly mundane task of practicing and role-playing between two pilots on a checklist of procedures remains a relevant and important task for modern airplane flying during pre-flight check, take-off and landing, post-flight and especially during non-routine or emergency situations.  Through this virtual reality tool, the cadet pilot donning a set of virtual reality goggles, may be immersed into a virtual cockpit environment for the procedural training component of the MPL programme.   It enhances the entire learning process, which would eventually lead to better trained pilots.

""ST Aerospace’s pilot training programmes have gained traction since we first started in 2007”, said Mr Lim Serh Ghee, President of ST Aerospace.  “We believe in continuously breaking new grounds to provide customers with innovative training solutions.  Our key differentiator is the ability to innovate the way we construct our training programmes – whether being amongst the first movers for the MPL programme in Asia, or exploring immersive technologies to enhance our training value chain.  We are certainly excited to be the preferred training partner to airlines around the world, and are fully committed to producing the most competent pilots for this industry.”

Established in 2007, ST Aerospace’s commercial pilot training arm is Singapore's first CAAS-approved third party flight training organisation as well as the pioneer academy to offer MPL training in the country.  Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities in Singapore, Australia and the US, the academy is staffed with over 70 employees globally, including a team of highly qualified ground and flight instructors.  Today, ST Aerospace has graduated more than 300 cadets with over 200 currently undergoing training, and plans to train about 600 commercial pilots over the next decade.

The above developments are not expected to have any material impact on the consolidated net tangible assets per share and earnings per share of ST Engineering for the current financial year.

ST Aerospace (Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd) is the aerospace arm of ST Engineering with a revenue of $2.07b in FY2014.  Operating a global MRO network with facilities and affiliates in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe, it is the world’s largest commercial airframe MRO provider with a global customer base that includes leading airlines, airfreight and military operators.  ST Aerospace is an integrated service provider that offers a spectrum of maintenance and engineering services that include airframe, engine and component maintenance, repair and overhaul; engineering design and technical services; and aviation materials and asset management services, including Total Aviation Support.  ST Aerospace has a global staff strength of around 8,000 employees worldwide.  Please visit www.staero.aero.

ST Engineering (Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd) is an integrated engineering group providing solutions and services in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. Headquartered in Singapore, the Group reported revenue of $6.54b in FY2014 and ranks among the largest companies listed on the Singapore Exchange. It is a component stock of the FTSE Straits Times Index and MSCI Singapore. ST Engineering has about 23,000 employees worldwide, and over 100 subsidiaries and associated companies in 46 cities across 24 countries.  Please visit www.stengg.com for more information

Media Contacts:         
Lina Poa
SVP, Corporate Communications
ST Engineering
Tel:      (65) 6722 1883
Email:  linapoa@stengg.com

Belinda Ng
VP, Corporate Communications
ST Aerospace
Tel:      (65) 6380 6176
Mobile: (65) 9683 6361
Email:  belindang@stengg.com