Being a pilot is really an
interesting job. You can fly
from places to places. ‘Fly’ in
the sky all the time and enjoy
the beautiful scenery.
Operating an aeroplane is so
cool, with all the complicated
buttons and stuff. We do
wonder if pilots have to eat
horrible aeroplane meals. ^_^
We interviewed Captain Richard Stanley for information about being a pilot.
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1. What qualification does one needs to become a pilot?
Generally completed school to year 13(form 7), a science background is an
advantage, as is a University degree.
2. What other duties you need to perform besides operating the aircraft?
For a line pilot none but we all have a ‘clause’ in our contract that we can be
asked to do office duty. For a training Captain it is a requirement to
prepare ground lectures and simulator
lessons.
3. What is the best/worst part of your
job?
The best part is the flying especially
on a beautiful sunny day. I guess the
worst part is the fact that we are
always being examined to ensure we
are performing to the required
standard.
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simulator and lectures).
4. What are your duty hours?
(Minimum/maximum)
There are no minimum hours, if there is no work
we stay at home. The maximum flying hours
allowed a month is 100 in 28 days and we can do
190 hours on duty (flying, office, standby,
5. What sort of persons is most suitable for being a pilot?
The most suitable people are those who really love flying, dedication is
very important.. They must be fit and have at least correctable vision.
6. Pay Scale.
Pay scales vary. For a Second Officer the airlines pay around 27000 a
month. Starting the Government Flying Service is around 60000 starting
(I believe).
7. What is so special about this occupation?
It is fun; you meet different people every day. The view from the office
window changes all the time. The aircraft are fantastic machines; it's like
being given a space ship to play with.
8. What do you personally think of being a pilot and do you like it?
I have never wanted to do any other job so obviously I love it. If I couldn't
fly for a living I would pay to fly for fun. Really I am being paid to do what
I love to do.
9. Could you offer some advice if one wishes to become to pilot?
My advice to anyone who wants to be a pilot is to read everything you can
about flying. Even better if you can afford it, do some flying in light
aircraft at Sek Kong. Then, apply to an airline and try and get sponsorship
as a cadet. The most important thing is to want
to be a pilot and not to give up until you get
there. It's very competitive.
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Have you ever called 1083 to ask for
telephone numbers? Have you ever
talked to the operators and wondered
how they are like? We are interested of
the rather dull work of just answering
phones with a repeated polite tone and
giving numbers. We called for 4 times
until an operator finally allow us to have
an interview with her.
What qualification do you need?
At least have a form-three-degree education. We need to attend training
sessions for one week.
What do you need to do when you are on duty?
I need to answer telephone from people and check the telephone number they
wanted from the computer.
What is the best part of your work?
To hear weird voices and having new ideas where to dine from our customers.
What is the worst part of your work?
Actually this job is really dull. Answering calls and always needing to use the
same fake polite tone. But then it can help me develop my patience. Always
sitting makes me fat, too.
What working hours do you keep?
8 hours a shift, night or day shift.
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What sort of people does the job suit?
Most people but not those hyperactive ones or those who likes changes and
excitements. Sitting there all day answering calls day after day is rather
boring.
Something special about the job?
Boring and have to practically act like an answering machine- always speaking
those words. We can all do it sub-consciously in our sleep.
What you think about the job? Do you like it?
Quite a hard job to speak in that tone and sit there all day doing the same
thing. I don’t like it nor hate it.
The operator did not wish to tell us the salary she receives each month.
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