Singapore. 18 February 2022. Today, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jamco Aero Design & Engineering (“JADE”), a joint venture between JAMCO Corporation and SIA Engineering Company Limited, to jointly establish the first fully-certified flammability test aviation laboratory and data center in Asia Pacific.
The five-year partnership will see SP and JADE co-build the flammability test laboratory within the grounds of the polytechnic in Singapore1. Expected to be ready in 2025, the laboratory will add new capability to and strengthen Singapore’s position as an aviation hub in the region.
Flammability testing is key to elevating and setting new standards for aviation and passenger safety. The new facility will provide the testing and certification of materials used in aircraft cabin components, such as wall, light and ceiling panels, door linings, seat belts, seat cushions and signage, prior to being fitted in an aircraft. By carrying out flammability tests in Singapore, the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) companies and airlines can enjoy savings from logistical costs and shorter turnaround times, as well as greater visibility in the progress of their jobs.
More importantly, adding this new testing capability to the aviation ecosystem will make the testing process easier to understand for the stakeholders, and support innovators to better manage their designs for passenger safety and comfort based on the testing results. These benefits will catalyze the expansion of niches of excellence in manufacturing, cabin interior design and modification, as well as aircraft conversion in Singapore.
SP and JADE will start up the laboratory in SP’s Aero Hub, and equip it with state-of-the-art equipment. Both partners will provide testing and training capabilities that are aligned to industry benchmarks in areas such as certified training and accreditation, as well as front commercial agreements with external industries and parties for certified test services.
ADE will work with SP to offer relevant industry training, accreditation, final-year project collaborations and internships to SP students to build up talent pipelines, foster talent development, as well as up skill the workforce in relevant technical skills through co-development and co-teaching of continuing education and training (CET) courses leading to flammability certification.
Dr Desmond Ong, General Manager of JADE, said “We are glad to be partnering Singapore Polytechnic to value add to the regional aviation industry and make this niche flammability testing knowledge more accessible to the students. We hope that building the flammability laboratory as a state-of-the-art training and test centre will provide the students with a deeper insight into the aviation world. Establishing it as a database centre to support R&D developments will further strengthen the position of Singapore as a global aviation hub.”
Mr Soh Wai Wah, Principal & CEO of SP, said, “Our goal for this exciting partnership is to establish Singapore as a leading regional aerospace training and test centre, as well as a key industrial solution partner with local and regional aviation companies. Through this collaboration, we will strengthen our students’ skill sets and update our curriculum so that we can continue to provide the country with a robust pipeline of talented workforce for the regional aviation sector, and promote the growth of new niches of excellence in aviation-related business services.”
