Community-youth, Youth

Flying in Singapore’s One and Only Training Area

11 Jan 2024
Text by Jarell Lim, SUTD Aviation Interest Group

Did you know that there is an allocated airspace for recreational flights in Singapore?

It is a small airspace over Singapore’s Central Catchment Area designated for student pilots to perform training manoeuvres. This small area is segregated into three Training Areas: Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie, each with its own borders and flight level limits. It is considered a Class G airspace, meaning that there is no control of traffic from the Air Traffic Controller. However, this doesn’t mean that there is no ATC to contact within the Training Area; Paya Lebar Approach facilitates the amount of traffic coming into the area and provides traffic information for pilots.

Despite these regulations, flying within the Training Area can be challenging due to the presence of many military camps and noise abatement areas that restrict our flight paths. For instance, flying over HDBs is strictly controlled, and there are designated Noise Abatement Areas where we cannot fly below a certain altitude. Additionally, flying over military airfields is strictly prohibited due to their extensive borders. Therefore, pilots must constantly be aware of their position within the Training Area to ensure that they do not breach any airspace; otherwise, they would be assigned to write a lengthy report to be submitted to CAAS explaining why they failed to adhere to the borders. The tight borders, coupled with free-flying traffic within the Training Area, necessitate that pilots remain vigilant and aware during their flights.

As you climb higher within the Training Area, the air gets cooler, and the plane climbs slower due to the lower air density at higher altitudes. The maximum altitude of the Training Area is 10,000 feet, which is more than enough to see the entire bird’s eye view of Singapore and Johor Bahru. In the air, you can enjoy some of the best views that no skyscraper can offer. Every street, avenue, estate, and block is visible from 10,000 feet up. Well-known Singapore attractions, such as Marina Bay Sands and Mount Faber, are also there for your enjoyment. You can take the opportunity to try and find your house as well!

Although navigating the Training Area can be challenging with its tight borders and air traffic, the breathtaking views that you see when ascending will make the flight worth it. If you ever plan on obtaining a CAAS Private Pilot License, this will be the place you visit for almost all of your flight trainings.