SINGAPORE — The chance to learn about flight has been drawing an increasing number of participants over the years to the Singapore Amazing Flying Machine Competition (SAFMC).

The fifth SAFMC took place at the Science Centre Singapore last week, and saw a record number of participants signing up, with 333 teams taking part.

One team from CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School received special mention for their technical knowledge and the research they did in creating their unpowered glider. Trio Dynamic, which comprised Tang Yurou, Carissa Seet and Victoria Leong, all Secondary 3 Music Elective Programme (MEP) students, took part in SAFMC because they “found it interesting”, said Victoria.

“My father works in the (aviation) industry and built me (miniature) airplanes when I was young, so when I heard about SAFMC, I was keen to take part,” said Carissa. “As MEP students, we don’t take Design and Technology classes, so we wanted to try our hand at constructing (gliders),” she added.

“We hoped this competition would teach us the principles of aerodynamics and how airplanes fly,” said Yurou.

Trio Dynamic won three awards at this year’s SAFMC — Gold in Theory of Flight, Gold in Creativity and Bronze in Presentation — and were placed third in their category.

“(Building a glider) is something you can’t learn in school, unless it conducts aerodynamics workshops, and even then you wouldn’t be able to construct your own glider,” said Victoria. “Seeing our glider fly was the best moment,” she added.

This year’s SAFMC featured a new age bracket in the paper planes category for students aged 12 and above. One team that took part in this new class was Mine Crafter, made up of Benedict Chan and Chia Yi Xuan, both 12-year-old students from Mee Toh School.

On what they learned through participating in SAFMC, Benedict said: “We learned the principles of flight and how paper airplanes fly.” “We practised our presentation skills too, so we can get higher scores in oral examinations,” said Yi Xuan.

During the competition, SAFMC participants presented their work to a panel of judges. Mr Lim Yeow Khee, who has been a judge at all five SAFMCs held, enjoys the experience. “It’s fun,” he said. “It’s great to see how we can shape and encourage these children.”

On how SAFMC entries have evolved over the years, Mr Lim said: “Schools are paying more attention to and being more supportive of their students taking part in SAFMC. The participants’ knowledge of aerodynamics has improved too. ”

As one of the judges at SAFMC, Mr Lim looks out for participants with the right attitude and enthusiasm. “The knowledge can be learned over time, but it’s the attitude and enthusiasm that determine one’s progress,” he said.

Mr Lim discussed his most memorable entry from past SAFMCs. “The toilet bowl that could fly really impressed me because I didn’t think it could fly. In any competition, the element of surprise is key.”

On the importance of learning about aviation, Mr Lim said: “It is Man’s instinct to conquer nature, and flying is one such triumph. It is a challenge that excites people.”

“For Singaporeans, air travel is an important part of our lives, so aviation is an interest that boasts a good career path — it is exciting and reasonably lucrative.”