AVIATION DEVELOPMENT FUND AVIATION INNOVATION PROGRAMME AVIATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME AVIATION MANPOWER PROGRAMME AVIATION PROMOTION PROGRAMME
Committed to building a vibrant aviation industry and centre of aviation excellence in Singapore, CAAS has established the Aviation Development Fund (ADF) to enable the development and growth of Singapore s aviation industry and to ensure its continued competiveness globally.
The ADF comprises incentives programmes built around the three thrusts of Enabling Enterprise, Enabling Ideas and Enabling People. ENABLING ENTERPRISE CAAS shapes a pro-enterprise environment and foster industry collaboration. We work in partnership with the industry to anticipate and adapt to changes in regulations, processes and technology. ENABLING IDEAS CAAS works with companies and organizations to realize their ideas in building new and enhanced capabilities, with innovation as a key focus. ENABLING PEOPLE CAAS works with companies and training institutions to attract talent to aviation, develop and upgrade the aviation workforce and retain manpower within the industry. Relevant incentive programmes are developed to support and facilitate the development efforts of the aviation industry. Several programmes have been launched under the ADF: AVIATION INNOVATION PROGRAMME (AIP) AVIATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME (APP) AVIATION MANPOWER PROGRAMME (AMP) AVIATION PROMOTION PROGRAMME (AProP)
AVIATION INNOVATION PROGRAMME The Aviation Innovation Programme (AIP) aims to encourage innovation in niches of excellence in the aviation industry. Projects must have a strong innovative element, and add new or enhanced capabilities to the aviation sector in Singapore and/or deliver transformative productivity improvements for the companies. Projects must also meet key performance indicators as determined by CAAS. Proposals will be evaluated in the following areas: Originality and innovativeness of the project Measurable outcomes Scalability and benefi ts to the rest of the aviation industry Financial standing and background of the applicant Track record of the applicant Resources allocation and execution capabilities The AIP can provide assistance of up to 70% for qualifying expenses, capped at S$2 million per project over a period of 2 years. Qualifying expenses may include: Purchase/lease of equipment/materials Cost of intellectual property rights, or purchase of software Salaries of staff engaged in the project Cost of consultancy or professional services Training The programme is open to all Singapore-registered companies or organisations with a presence in Singapore, including institutes of higher learning and research centres.
SHOWCASE OF SELECTED AIP PROJECTS Flight Focus Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore SME specialising in avionics systems integration and fl ight operations solutions. An AIP grant was awarded to Flight Focus to develop an improved version of their Advance Mission Display System (AMDS), an avionics suite that allows airlines to monitor and optimise, in real time, their aircraft fl ight path and fuel burn parameters. Flight Focus proved that a product designed and built in Singapore is able to compete effectively against the offerings from the world s major avionics companies. ST Aerospace is one the world s leading aircraft MRO companies with extensive experience in passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversions. Under the AIP programme, ST Aerospace has developed the capability to convert the Boeing 757-200 into a passenger/freighter combination aircraft. This project contributed to the expanding portfolio of aircraft conversion capabilities and expertise in Singapore. MAJ Aviation Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore SME providing MRO services for general aviation customers. A grant was awarded to MAJ to construct a two-level carousel compact parking system for light aircraft at the General Aviation Centre at Seletar Aerospace Park, the fi rst of its kind in the world. It will intensify land use by making it possible for more aircraft to be housed and serviced within MAJ s facility, and allows more airport land to be used for transit aircraft instead of long term aircraft parking.
AVIATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME The Aviation Partnership Programme (APP) aims to drive the adoption of industry-level standards or processes that help to enhance overall productivity, effectiveness and competitiveness. APP initiatives will be identifi ed and developed by CAAS in consultation and partnership with the industry. The APP provides two tiers of funding support. Development of common standards, processes and platforms Funding support for a company to cover up to 70% of the costs required to adopt the established initiative Several initiatives have been launched under the APP. AS ADOPTION PROGRAMME CAAS, together with the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore), launched the Aerospace Standards (AS) Adoption Programme on 1 October 2010. Companies received funding for consultancy and certifi cation costs for adopting the AS9100, a quality management standard that major aerospace companies rely on to ascertain the effectiveness and quality of their suppliers processes. This programme brings signifi cant benefi ts to aerospace companies in Singapore, as it offers a well-structured system that effectively addresses quality concerns and improves productivity, and allows the companies to penetrate new markets and engage in global collaboration.
PROCESS INNOVATION CHALLENGE The Process Innovation Challenge was a competition-based incentive scheme to promote a culture of continuous process improvement in the aviation sector to enhance productivity. Companies were encouraged to carry out manageable quick-win projects, targeted at either job redesign or process improvement. The top ten projects selected received funding for 50% of the total project cost, capped at S$50,000. At the end of the Challenge, the companies shared their projects with the aviation industry at various platforms, facilitating intraindustry learning and accelerating the adoption of good ideas across the aviation sector. Completed projects achieved an average of 20% in productivity improvements. E-FREIGHT@SINGAPORE Air cargo relies heavily on paper-based processes that typically add to the cost and transport time of air cargo shipments. The e-freight@ Singapore programme aims to promote business re-engineering efforts by integrating the air cargo and logistics supply chain through electronically linking stakeholders, promoting the adoption of paperless freight documentation and improving industry capabilities through the use of information and communications technologies (ICT). The implementation of e-freight@singapore will lead to enhanced productivity and signifi cant cost savings for the entire air cargo and logistics supply chain.
AVIATION MANPOWER PROGRAMME The Aviation Manpower Programme (AMP) aims to bolster manpower development efforts of the Singapore aviation industry. It comprises initiatives to promote the aviation industry as a compelling career choice and to attract talent to the industry, to develop and upgrade the aviation talent pool and workforce, and to retain the talent and human resource within the aviation industry. CAAS will work closely with the industry and training institutions to develop and implement the initiatives. Several initiatives have been launched under the AMP. AVIATION LEARNING JOURNEYS Targeted at upper secondary school and junior college students, the Aviation Learning Journeys (ALJ) provides a platform for students to understand more about aviation the history of aviation, key achievements of Singapore aviation, and the various career opportunities the industry offers. It also provides an opportunity to observe fi rst-hand the dynamic work environments in the industry. As part of the ALJ, students can look forward to visiting aviation facilities such as the Singapore Air Traffi c Control Centre, aerospace engine repair workshops and aircraft hangers. The programme aims to create greater awareness and understanding of the aviation environment in Singapore and its value-added jobs, and inspire youths towards aviation education and careers.
CAAS AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE EXAMINATION REBATE PROGRAMME The CAAS Aircraft Maintenance Examination Rebate Programme was launched in March 2011. It enables students undergoing preemployment training in the Institutes of Higher Learning to enjoy a fee rebate when they pass each CAAS examination that is a pre-requisite for an individual to be a licensed aerospace professional. The programme encourages students to improve their job readiness before graduation and will contribute to meeting the steady demand of the aerospace industry for qualifi ed personnel. AVIATION HORIZONS SCHOLARSHIP The Aviation Horizons Scholarship, a partnership between CAAS and aviation companies, seeks to support the aspirations of youths to further their studies through a scholarship, whilst gaining valuable working experience. The programme also aims to support the demand from aviation companies for new talents to drive future aviation growth. Successful applicants will work for a partner aviation company, and simultaneously have their part-time diploma or degree programme sponsored. AVIATION YOUTH OUTREACH SEED FUND The Aviation Youth Outreach Seed Fund supports youth outreach activities spearheaded by student groups, industry and associations, by providing seed funding for events and initiatives lasting up to 2 years. Complimenting CAAS own youth outreach activities, the seed fund seeks to support the creation of sustainable outreach and engagement platforms that cater to varying student audiences.
AVIATION PROMOTION PROGRAMME The Aviation Promotion Programme (AProP) aims to support Singapore companies in expanding the market access of their products and service offerings, and to help the various sectors within the local aviation industry in learning and adopting best practices. Incentives under the AProP are built around the three key thrusts: To promote Singapore as an aviation hub of choice; To help local aviation companies expand market access; and To encourage local aviation companies to adopt overseas best practices. TRADE SHOWS To increase the exposure of local companies to global markets, AProP assists the companies with the cost of participating at major international trade shows. Companies will be grouped under a Singapore Pavilion to be managed by a trade association or a lead company. The pavilion provides multiple companies a common platform to showcase their products and service offerings, and further reinforces the branding of Singapore as an aviation hub. The AProP can provide assistance of between 50% and 70% for qualifying expenses, capped between S$250,000 and S$500,000 for each show depending on the geographical location and the number of companies in the delegation. Qualifying expenses include participation fees, rental of exhibition space, pavilion construction, promotional materials and travel allowances for secretariat staff.
CAMPAIGNS AND CONSULTANCY STUDIES AProP supports overseas business missions for local companies to expand their business networks and to identify new business opportunities, as well as study trips for a group of companies and stakeholders to learn the best practices on cluster-level issues. The programme can provide assistance of between 50% and 70% for qualifying expenses, capped between S$7,000 and S$10,000 per company depending on the geographical region. Qualifying expenses include airfare and accommodation for company staff. For the purpose of business missions, publicity materials, hosting expenses and venue rental are also supported. Consultancy studies may be commissioned with assistance from AProP to address cluster-level upgrading efforts. Potential topics include strategies for market expansion, market competiveness research, and the development of branding initiatives. The outcome of consultancy studies must benefi t the Singapore aviation industry in general or specifi c sectors within the industry. The AProP can provide assistance of up to 70% for consultancy fees.
Please share with us your ideas at caas_ai@caas.gov.sg