I've got a way cool entry in my logbook: 9VBOZ WSSL WSSL 1.0 hours dual instruction. It may not look like much to most folks, but it means I've flown a Singapore registered airplane around Singapore.While this is just the beginning of a whole lot more to learn about flying different kinds of airplanes in this part of the world, it culminates a process that began at the start of June. That's when I decided to apply for a Singapore private pilot license so I could fly locally registered aircraft that are available at one of the two flying clubs. And it's been an interesting process (so far, that is - not done yet, I'm still a student pilot here) that I'll write up for the Texins Flying Club newsletter back in Texas. Unless you're an aviation fan, it probably doesn't make for interesting reading.
Some things that are interesting: there are more places you can't fly in Singapore than places you can fly, at least when you practicing. There are 5 aerodromes in Singapore, but only two are open for non-military use, Changi (the big international airport) and Seletar. And only Seletar is open for private use, and then only between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm. The places you can fly are marked within the 7-sided red & black angular area.But even with these limitation, it was a great flight. My instructor was careful to point out the many "don't pass here" landmarks as we went through various aircraft orientation maneuvers in the Socata TB9, a low-wing 4-seat airplane. We flew over the heavily forested central area (that Raye and I hiked around last weekend) and then right up to to Woodlands checkpoint at the north end of the island. I could see where I work and had a great view of Johor Bahru, the city right across the bridge in Malaysia. In fact I got to see a lot of Malaysia, particularly in the landing pattern back to Seletar airport. You basically fly along the border on the base leg to get lined up with the runway.
We finished up with a couple of landings and it was all over too soon. I'm looking forward to the next flight. In the meantime I've got that logbook entry to remind me of my first flight in Singapore.
