JUNIOR FLYING CLUB (Opportunities and facilities)

Dr Tan Cheng Bock asked the Minister of Defence and Second Minister for Health (a) what opportunities and facilities are provided by the Junior Flying Club to meet the enthusiasm and interest of our youth; and (b) what is the total membership of the Club in the years 1980 to 1982 and how many of these members have joined the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

The Minister of State of Defence (Dr Yeo Ning Hong) (for the Minister of Defence ind Second Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Junior Flying Club (JFC) was formed with the objective of instilling interest in flying amongst our students. Members come largely from secondary schools, junior colleges and institutions of higher learning, like the National University of Singapore and the Singapore Polytechnic. The courses on flying are provided free of charge. Students can work towards the Private Pilot's Licence. This particular course is usually over-subscribed. Over the past few years, the Club has increased its intake in order to meet the growing demand among students who are keen to learn how to fly.

Besides flying, the Junior Flying Club also offers to its members, particularly the younger ones in the age group of 13 - 16 1/2 years, courses in aero-modelling. The Club also encourages visits by students to airbases as well as to other aviation organizations and industries. We also have the Aviation Library made available to all members of the Club.

The membership of the JFC for the past three years has been about 900, of which 700 are aero-modelling members and 200 are flying members. For the Private Pilot's Licence, the annual intake of students for this particular course has increased by 58% over the last two years. The intake for 1980 was 71 students. This increased to 92 in 1981 and further increased to 112 students for the year 1982.

To date, of the 205 Junior Flying Club members who had obtained the Private Pilot's Licence, 162 have applied to join the Republic of Singapore Air Force and 108 of them have been enlisted. Of these, 70 of them have already completed their training and obtained their "wings". Another 17 are in the process of pilot training. There are also an additional 15 JFC members who did not take the Private Pilot's Licence but have been recruited into the RSAF and are currently qualified as Air Force pilots.