ANGKAWI, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- Royal Malaysian Air Force 12th
Squadron Commanding Officer Lt Kol Sunthon Eh Kaue niched a name
for himself as the first RMAF pilot to achieve 1,000 flying hours
in handling the MiG-29 fighter aircraft in the country.
The success of this pilot, who was born in Tumpat, Kelantan, was
not only the pride of TUDM but also RAC MiG from Russia, the
company which built the aircraft.
Sunthon's ability to record the 1,000 flying hours in the fighter
aircraft surpassed that made by Russia's own pilots.
Met by Bernama after receiving the award for his performance here
last night, Sunthon said the honour was in recognition of the
Malaysian armed forces' capability.
He said he had to make 1,400 flights to achieve the 1,000 flying
hours adding that it was not an easy task for any pilot.
"Even Russian pilots could not achieve the 1,000 flying hours
handling the aircraft," he added.
Sunthon, who had achieved 500 flying hours with other aircraft, was
with the 19th MiG Squadron in Kuantan for eight years before being
transferred to the 12th Squadron in Butterworth recently.
He is now being given the trust to handle the F5E aircraft, which
he considered "easier" compared to MiG-29.
Sunthon said he did not encounter any terrifying experience when
handling the MiG-29 and regarded the experience as very
valuable.
"I will always miss the aircraft but to be a good pilot we have to
be able to handle all types of aircraft," he added.
He said that since the setting up 0f the 19th Squadron, the RMAF
had about 30 pilots to fly the MiG-29.
He now hopes to get a chance to fly the new aircraft which RMAF is
buying like the Sukhoi 30 (SU 30).
Besides Sunthon, two other pilots, Major Sebastian A. William, 34,
from Perak and Captain Philip Joseph Selvaraju, 33, from Kulim,
Kedah, each made 500 flying hours with the MiG-29.
-- BERNAMA
Source : http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=169714&cat=nt
