CHAPTER 16 - Soaring in Aerospace

Summary

“I must be competent as the implications of my findings were serious.”

— Eric Lim Tow Ghee, MPE Pioneer

AN AIRCRAFT DISASTER that nearly took place in Singapore in 2010 highlighted the importance of engineers in the aerospace industry. On 4 November, a Qantas A380 had to do an emergency landing in Singapore after an engine blew up. Engineers from jet engine maker Rolls-Royce scrambled to pinpoint and rectify the problem.

The massive publicity underscored the importance of the high-value, high-technology aerospace industry to Singapore's economy. An aircraft engine alone costs $12 million. Singapore, a major player in the global aerospace industry, dominates the Asia Pacific region with a quarter of the maintenance, repair and overhaul market share. The local industry had an output of $7 billion in 2009 and employs 19,000 skilled workers. More than 100 international firms operate here.

NTI pioneers contribute actively to the aerospace industry, an industry which Singapore has been promoting since the 1970s. MPE pioneer Ananda Senan Singaravelu spent almost his whole career in the industry. He started as a R&D engineer in 1986 developing new repairs for aircraft engine components. His lucrative initiative raked in millions for the company over 10 years. His career saw him take on many roles in operations, customer service and sales.

By the late 1990s, Ananda's company had a global market for their products. Its success caught the eye of Pratt & Whitney, a global engine manufacturer, which acquired it to beef up their business. Under the new management, Ananda headed the Operations Unit. In 2007, he went to their Global Repair Services division to set up new ventures in the region.

At Pratt & Whitney, Samuel Tang was part of the joint venture with Singapore Airlines to provide engine repair services. The highly experienced Samuel had worked for ST Aerospace, General Electric Aviation and Interturbine Singapore. His skills caught the attention of Hobart Airport System which opened their facilities in Singapore in 1990. The company which designs and builds hangars and airport power systems in Asia persuaded him to be their engineering manager.

General Electric Aviation is another aerospace bigwig. Eng Tian Soon was the Six Sigma specialist there. Six Sigma is a management system to optimise the performance of processes. Getting his Six Sigma Black Belt was not easy.