Dinner For Flying Malaysian Duo
By Lyna Moharad

Bandar Seri Begawan - Bad weather, air turbulence and a technical glitch have failed to dampen the spirits of a Malaysian duo flying on a propeller-powered small single engine in a mission to set a record in Malaysia’s Book of Records.

The two, Datuk Khairuddin and Major (R) Halim, are flying to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries within 8 days.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by Tourism Malaysia in Brunei, recounted some of the obstacles that they have faced.

They explained that the delay in Medan, Indonesia was due to difficulty in obtaining clearance at an airport controlled by airport authorities and the military.

One of the difficulties they faced while flying at night was the inability to detect clouds on their flight weather radar.

This was dangerous because the plane could break its wings should it slam into a cloud, they said.

The aircraft is not made of steel but composites like fibre glass, they said, highlighting that if lighting were to strike the aircraft, it could melt.

Besides being a tribute programme for the Malaysian Prime Minister's late mother, Datuk Hjh Kailan Hassan, the Kailan 1-Historic Melaka, aims to promote Malaysia, specifically the historic state of Melaka.

Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam, Chief Minister of Melaka, had sought their assistance to distribute pamphlets of historic Melaka.

Datuk Khairuddin noted that the Malaysian government bought the whole factory of the manufacturer of the aircraft in US and brought back one unit.

It is a good aircraft and is quite cheap, affordable to those who have the money, so when they flew in Asean countries, most of the people in the country admired the aircraft, he said.

Flying at an altitude of 9,000 to 10,000 feet at most of their journey, Datuk Khairuddin said that on their way back from Bangkok as they approached the Malaysian border, the Royal Malaysian Air Force tower instructed them to fly higher to avoid being shot down at an area of southern Thailand.

They were instructed to fly above 11,000 feet. At this altitude, the duo experienced dizziness due to a lack of oxygen supply.

The mission, besides proving that "Malaysia Boleh", aims to encourage others to explore more challenging and rewarding fields and to change the mindsets of Malaysians by proving that flying is safe.

Braving the obstacles and erratic weathers, they arrived in Brunei, their 17th destination out of the 19 stops, from Kota Kinabalu half an hour earlier from the 4pm scheduled time of arrival on Monday after their flight from Bangkok to Kuching which took those 12 hours.

Kailan I -Historic Melaka left the country early yesterday morning for Kuching. Their arrival in Kuching was received by Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak and after refuelling and servicing, the duo flew off to their final destination, Melaka.

Datuk Khairuddin said that from the mission he had acquired lots of valuable knowledge from his co-pilot, Major (R) Halim, who has more experience in flying from his 18 years with the Royal Malaysian Air Force as a fighter aircraft pilot instructor.

Meanwhile, the mission also serves as a training programme for the duo as God willing, late February or early March next year they will be on another mission, this time aiming to set a record in the World Guinness Book of Records by being the first to fly a small single engine aircraft powered by a propeller around the globe within 24 days, moving non-stop, landing only for servicing and refuelling. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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