Ex-RMAF Pilot Halim Othman Brings 40 Years Of Experience To Merdeka Sunset Show

By Nur Syuhada Yusof

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Retired Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fighter pilot Major (Rtd) Datuk Halim Othman, 60, brings four decades of aviation expertise to lead the inaugural 'Merdeka Sunset Show: Melukis Senja' air display today in conjunction with the 69th National Day celebrations.

Handling high-performance aerobatic aircraft and competing on the international air racing stage demands maximum precision, bravery and aircraft control - qualities Halim honed as the first Malaysian to qualify for the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

His solo twilight aerobatic performance at 7 pm featured precise flight manoeuvres combined with smoke and pyrotechnics against the backdrop of the sunset, bringing a unique highlight to the aerial show in conjunction with the National Month.

He said the performance concept was a continuation of the maiden 'Melukis Senja' show introduced at Chenang during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) last year.

He noted that flying aerobatics was not merely about performing extreme manoeuvres, but a skill forged through discipline, continuous training and a deep understanding of aircraft capabilities and limits.

“When I raced in the Red Bull series, most pilots were non-Malaysians and not from Asia. The challenge was proving that we could perform just as well, if not better, than them.

“So I am doing this for the younger generation and the country, to show that Malaysians are capable of competing at this level,” he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama.

Halim began his aviation career as an RMAF fighter pilot in 1985 and was awarded 'Top Gun' before expanding his experience in military operations, aerobatic flying and international air racing.

He achieved notable success in 2014 by winning the Challenger Cup in Ascot, United Kingdom, and Las Vegas, United States, as well as a second-place finish in the Challenger Cup Final at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

Throughout his career, Halim has flown various aircraft, including the MiG-29N, F/A-18D Hornet, A-4 Skyhawk, F-5E Tiger and Extra 300L, as well as corporate aircraft such as the Learjet 35A and King Air 350i.

The founder and president of Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd also played a central role in establishing Krisakti, Malaysia's first official aerobatic display team, which made its debut at LIMA 2011.

He revealed plans to introduce a new aerobatic team featuring six aircraft equipped with coloured smoke systems for future National Day celebrations and upcoming LIMA events.

“This is not just a performance; it is part of Aerotree's corporate social responsibility to inspire local youth and foster their interest in aerospace,” he said.

-- BERNAMA