While the overall focus of the Singapore Airshow is commercial aviation and defense, the private aviation sector is represented as well, and in that arena, Seletar Airport-based FBO Wings Over Asia (WOA), is making its debut at the airshow this year, having opened its new facility in June 2016. The company was founded in 2009 by a Singapore pilot who believed that general aviation operators in the region could use help with ground handling, flight planning and permitting.
Based on the experience gained, that ground handling business evolved into the new FBO, one of three at Seletar, which was built as a British Air Force base before World War II and is now used solely for general aviation. “We are slowly expanding, and our strength currently is the region; Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia,” stated David Lim, the company’s sales and customer experience executive. “We started from small propeller planes to small jets, and now we are experiencing Falcon 7X, Gulfstreams and have even handled the Airbus A320, which is the largest plane that can land in Seletar.”
The purpose-built, four-story FBO cost 30 million Singapore dollars (US$22.5 million), and in addition to 2,787 sq meters (30,000 sq ft) of hangar space, which can accommodate aircraft up to a G650, it has a 3,252-sq-m (35,000-sq-ft) terminal, including a rooftop garden.
Among its amenities are a VIP aircraft owner/passenger lounge and bar serving snacks, coffee and tea in addition to alcoholic beverages; a pilots lounge; snooze room; shower facilities; pool tables; karaoke; a pair of A/V-equipped conference rooms that can seat up to 20 people; a 93-sq-m (1,000-sq-ft) training room; and as a crowning jewel, a 557-sq-m (6,000-sq-ft) ballroom, which has been used to host industry events and dinners. Lim noted that his own wedding, with 300 seated guests, was recently held there.
Newly added in time for the air show is a café in the FBO, which Lim believes crew and passengers will use during technical stops that might last only a few hours. “Instead of going to the hotel, they can go to our lounge and our restaurant to have their meals,” he said. Another recent improvement is a retractable shelter over the rooftop garden (also used occasionally for barbecues), which makes it accessible even during inclement weather. WOA offers luxury surface transport on the airport, using BMWs and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans.
The company is dedicated to assisting its patrons through the entire spectrum of general aviation, from helping people obtain their pilots licenses though purchasing their aircraft and then supporting them. It offers a "Club WOA" membership plan with a variety of benefits, including scheduled trips and events, access to a clubhouse with flight simulator, flight concierge, aircraft sharing and pilot proficiency programs.
WOA is an official dealer for Piper, Daher, Diamond, Cirrus, and Quest, and a partner to Textron Aviation with its Cessna and Bell Helicopter divisions. Its hangars are home to a variety of aircraft, including a Challenger 605, Challenger 350, Eclipse, Mitsubishi MU-2 and Cessna Caravan as well as smaller piston-powered airplanes. Registered as Stage I under the International Business Aviation Council’s (IBAC) International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAH), the facility is currently working toward Stage II compliance.
The company provides maintenance capability for its smaller based aircraft, and it expects to receive an FAA Part 145 certificate later this year, after which it plans to add more technicians and increase its maintenance services to include small to midsize jets, a move it believes could help attract more clients.
Currently WOA claims approximately 15 percent of the traffic at Seletar. “We have to earn our clients through word of mouth and trust,” said Lim. “It’s more like a vine kind of growth spread by people recommending Wings Over Asia.” As the only locally owned FBO on the field, Lim believes that sets it apart from other providers. “Our team is 100 percent Singaporean-based, so that is what we are known for, this very personalized service. Asian hospitality I assume you would call it, value for money and its definitely worthwhile to visit us.”
Aircraft arriving at Seletar must first clear customs and immigration at the general aviation terminal, which is currently housed in a pre-WWII building. A new customs facility is under construction 200 meters (656 feet) from the WOA FBO and is expected to replace the RAF-era structure by the end of the year.
During the show, the FBO will host a private aviation showcase and open house at from February 6-10. Among the aircraft slated for exhibit in the static display are the Cessna Citation Latitude and Citation X+, Piper M600, and the Daher TBM 930. At 11 a.m. on Saturday February 10, WOA will present an aircraft ownership seminar, which is open to the public.
