Nicholas Tan

Singapore Institute of Aerospace Engineers,Singapore

Abstract Title: Supporting Asia on Safety, Certification, and Training

Biography:

Nicholas is an accomplished leader in aerospace engineering, currently serving as the Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Institute of Aerospace Engineers (SIAE). With a foundational career as an Air Engineering Officer in the RSAF, he managed teams of technicians to ensure daily operational readiness of the F-16 fighter fleet. He was awarded a scholarship to the United States Air Force Test Pilot School (USAF TPS), the world's premiere institute for aerospace test engineering where he completed a Masters equivalent 48-week program in experimental flight test engineering. As the Lead Flight Test Engineer at the RSAF Flight Test Center, Nicholas oversaw projects involving more than 30 aircraft types, including the F-16C/D/D+, F-5E/F, C-130, F-50 and CH-47. He spearheaded avionics upgrades, weapons certification and evaluation programs including the BWC evaluation of the PC-21, Super Tucano, T-6, and M346. He was awarded the prestigious Defence Technology Prize (team) in 2007. Nicholas also has a strong background in academia, having served as a senior lecturer for Kingston University (UK) at ATTC and adjunct at Republic Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic in aerodynamics, avionics and other EASA Part-66 modules. He holds an Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) from the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), Certified Avionics Engineer at Engineers Australia and Fellow at SIAE.

Research Interest:

As Asia continues to experience rapid growth in the aerospace sector, ensuring robust safety standards, streamlined certification processes, and comprehensive training programs has become increasingly critical. This talk will explore the strategic role that regional collaboration, regulatory alignment with European standards, and capacity building play in supporting Asia's evolving aerospace landscape. Drawing from extensive industry experience and the Singapore Institute of Aerospace Engineers' (SIAE) initiatives, the presentation will highlight key challenges and opportunities in enhancing aviation safety, including the integration of emerging technologies, adaptation to evolving regulatory requirements in line with EASA frameworks, and the development of resilient safety cultures across diverse operational environments. Furthermore, the talk will address the importance of harmonizing certification standards to facilitate cross-border operations between Asia and Europe, and the pivotal role of competency-based training in preparing the next generation of aerospace professionals. Case studies from successful regional partnerships, SIAE-led projects, and collaborations with European counterparts will illustrate best practices and innovative approaches to overcoming current and future challenges. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem among regulatory bodies such as EASA, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions, Asia can achieve sustainable growth while maintaining the highest standards of safety, certification integrity, and workforce excellence.