RMAF pilots display spectacular airshow at Lima'23

LANGKAWI - The South Korean ‘oppa’ pilots flying the Black Eagles may have gotten all the limelight and attention from the crowds at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA '23), but the Malaysian pilots are impressive in their own right.

The 23 Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilots who took part in the air show at LIMA '23 wowed the audience with numerous 'deadly' manoeuvres that kept the crowds’ eyes glued to the sky.

For Major Muhammad Osman Mohd Sidek, formations like Falling Leaf, TVC J Turn, Tail Slide, Cobra Spike, Half Loop Tumble Yaw, Belly Barrel, Max Ab Turn, Spin Roll Hi AOA and Falling Leaf To Land, which they performed, were not as easy as they appeared from the ground.

"From the ground, it may look calm, but up there, it feels like a raging storm," he told Bernama when met at the tarmac of the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) recently.

The pilot, who hails from Tangkak, Johor, and has nine years of experience, said LIMA '23 was his second time participating in the biennial event and flying the Sukhoi-Su-30MKM, as well as his first solo air display appearance.

Sharing his experience flying the aircraft, Muhammad Osman said he had faced some anxious moments related to the engine and the aircraft systems, but with sufficient training for such situations, he was able to handle them successfully.

"Actually, the various formations we performed were also supported by the capabilities of the aircraft and the intensive training we received from the time we entered the RMAF until we reached the next level," said the father of three who had received the Safe Flight Award after flying 1,000 hours without a fault.

The former student of the Royal Military Air Force College in Alor Setar, Kedah, described taking part in LIMA with aerobatic teams from other countries who had more experience in air shows as one of his most precious memories of being in the service.

"Here, we can exchange information, opinions, tactics and make new friends," he said.

For Nor Fatin Ahmad, 30, who lives near Kuah, the RMAF's aerobatic show is one of the things she looks forward to every time LIMA is held because she enjoys watching the sharp dives and turns of the Sukhoi aircraft, which she describes as nerve-racking.

"For me, other countries' aerobatic teams are also fantastic, but seeing the RMAF team in the air is more exciting. I didn't know we had such good facilities, and the RMAF has produced pilots who I believe are among the best," she said.

In addition to the Black Eagles, LIMA'23 also featured international aerobatic teams from Indonesia known as Jupiter, China (August 1st), the Russian Knights, and Al Fursan (United Arab Emirates).

The gimmick for this year's LIMA 2023 consists of 36 aircraft from the RMAF, Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysian Air Force Special Forces (PASKAU) such as the F/A18- AD Hornet, Hawk 108/208, Sukhoi SU30-MKM and C-130H transport aircraft and A400M.

The RMAF is conducting a capability improvement programme, the Service Life Extension Programme, for Sukhoi aircraft to ensure that these aircraft can be optimally deployed according to their dual-function capability. - BERNAMA