Super Puma helicopter attracts SP students to explore the world of aerospace

23 Sep 2024

SP students from aeronautical engineering and aerospace electronics courses will get hands-on experience working with a military-grade helicopter – exploring its systems and engines and learning from real-world aircraft maintenance. The helicopter is equipped with updated technology for both mechanical and electronic aspects, giving students more practical training in aircraft aerodynamics and ground support equipment, among other subjects. An agreement was inked between SP and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) on 23 September, as the polytechnic officially received the helicopter. The Super Puma is the second helicopter that SP has acquired to provide its students with hands-on experience. The first was the UH-1 Iroquois, a utility helicopter that was given to SP in November 2010. It was used by over 13,800 students, mainly for training in aircraft maintenance. It has since been returned to the RSAF. The newer helicopter currently sits in SP’s Aero Hub, along with three other aircraft used by students over the years to learn from. These include the A-4SU Super Skyhawk fighter plane, which SP received in 2006 to allow students to get hands-on mechanical experience. This was followed by the Hawker 700A aircraft, a fully operational business jet that was bought in 2016, and the Beechcraft King Air B90, a turboprop utility aircraft bought in late-2016. Mr Liew Hui Sing, an aeronautical and aerospace specialist at SP’s School of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, said the Super Puma is fully functional, and students can enter and start its engine but will not be allowed to fly it.

[Berita Harian]