Qualified Flying Instructor Dennis Tan looks at the importance on grooming the next generation, 50 years and beyond.

I joined the RSAF in April 1973, and started flying in Jan 1974. Back then, my first operational aircraft was the A-4 Skyhawk and I taught instructional sorties on the old T-33 Shooting Star aircraft. I was awarded my Wings on 21 Feb 1975, and was an Operational pilot in 143 SQN before returning to Flying Training School for the Flying Instructor's course.

I was appointed CO 150 SQN from 1989-1991. When I retired, I continued serving as a Qualified Flying Instructor at Air Grading Centre in Tamworth, Australia, where I currently coach our pilot trainees. To date, I have achieved 10,000 flying hours, with 7,100 hours being instructional hours.

After 45 years in the RSAF, I still enjoy being in an aircraft and have a passion for instructing the trainees in flights. You get satisfaction from instructing trainees to fly and then watching them progress to going solo in the aircraft. You share in their pride when they are awarded their 'Wings' and become Operational pilots in the RSAF. 

Another motivating factor is to realise that as an Officer and an Instructor, you must be a role model to the trainees who are under your command in the SQN. You have to lead by example, and ensure that you transfer the right values to them and to mould them as future Officers and leaders in the RSAF. 

Today, we are a First Class Air Force with top-notch aircraft and sophisticated weapons systems on board. We also have World Class people and better educated trainees in the RSAF. Our methods of instruction and training facilities have improved.

We have flight simulators for trainees to practise before flights, and to make use of flight recorders to assist in the sortie debriefs. Presently, we are also conducting flying training in Australia, France and the USA with larger airspace and land mass and better weather for our sorties.

More importantly, there is now an emphasis on safety in the RSAF. After years of education on the importance of safety, I believe every servicemen and women in the RSAF now understand that safety is their responsibility and that they must play their part. 

A good safety record is an indicator of our operational capability. I tell the trainees in Air Grading Centre very often that we cannot be complacent and take safety for granted. We must continue to put in effort to ensure safe operations in the RSAF.

I learnt an important lesson after my Wings graduation in Feb 1975. In April 1975, my coursemates and I were assigned to fly as observers in RSAF Skyvans to search for refugees’ boats in the South China Sea. It was after the end of the Vietnam War and we were to search for refugee boats to provide assistance. 

I can still remember the number of men and women crowded on the boats and waving to attract our attention as we flew low over them. The sight of the refugee boats and people on board made an impression on us as young pilots. I recognised then the importance for us to have a strong defence force to protect our nation, and be at the ready to defend Singapore. 

My heartfelt congratulations to the dedicated servicemen and servicewomen of the RSAF on achieving RSAF50. I am indeed blessed to be able to share in the achievements of the RSAF Tribe. I am proud to have joined this dynamic organisation, and know that the RSAF will continue to grow as we build on our achievements and to stand firm on our defence of Singapore. 

I often tell my trainees that they are the future generation of Officers and leaders in the RSAF. We have done our best at present to train them, and are confident they can face the challenges ahead and bring the RSAF to the next higher level.