Malaysian flying school creates a first in region for civil aerobatics

(L-R) Captain Mardiana Razali, Captain Chow Tuck Heng and Captain John Sham are the lead trainers for civil aerobatics.

IPOH: A pilot training academy here is flying high as the first in the region to be officially approved as a training organisation authorised to deliver the advanced Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) module for pilot trainees.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has already issued official guidelines for UPRT and is actively working toward full implementation, with the training set to become a mandatory requirement for all flight training schools in 2027.

Layang Layang Flying Academy, one of Malaysia’s oldest aviation companies, not only produces pilots with UPRT competence but also possesses the expertise to train the trainers for the programme.

As part of the UPRT module, pilots will undergo three hours of flight training involving advanced manoeuvres designed to simulate unusual attitudes. The programme equips pilots with the skills and confidence needed to safely recover from unexpected or emergency flight situations.

These scenarios include unusual attitudes such as inverted flight, spins, stalls, unintentional steep banks, or nose-high/nose-low positions, as well as other unexpected flight events that may occur during in-flight upsets, which, if not properly addressed, could lead to a loss of control and a potentially dangerous, unrecoverable situation.

The Layang Layang Flying Academy is planning on setting up an aerobatics team to take part in airshows abroad.

The academy’s standards officer, Captain Chow Tuck Heng explained that international aviation authorities have found that most air crashes result from pilots failing to recover the aircraft from unusual attitudes, with Loss of Control In-Flight remaining the leading cause of fatalities globally.

“When an aircraft encounters an upset caused by factors such as weather extremes, sensor failures, or inappropriate pilot inputs – the chances of a pilot trained in UPRT successfully recovering the aircraft and making a safe emergency landing are significantly higher.

“Many times, it has been found that pilots could have prevented a crash, even in situations where the aircraft entered an upset position due to various factors.

“While these upsets may seem impossible to recover from, the correct technique and timely input can make all the difference,’ said Chow, who previously led the RMAF’s Taming Sari Aerobatics team and performed numerous Merdeka Day flypasts.

Chow Tuck Heng, the academy’s standards officer, says pilots trained in UPRT are better able to recover an aircraft and make a safe emergency landing.

Keeping an eye on Sham

Chow said his other role is also to keep an eye on the academy’s solo aerobatic pilot, Captain John Sham, during his airshow display rehearsals. In addition to his display work, John also heads the UPRT training team at the academy.

“I make sure that John does not get naughty or carried away while doing his stunts,” he told FMT.

John, who is the overall head of training at the academy, said the institution has already trained more than 10 pilots who underwent UPRT before graduating. Besides this, he said flying instructors from other schools are also sent to Layang Layang to undergo specialised training as certified UPRT trainers.

John served in the RMAF for 26 years as a fighter pilot trainer and is the only civil aviator in the country authorised by CAAM to conduct “train-the-trainer” programmes. This training is conducted on the academy’s aerobatic aircraft GB1 GameBird.

“The GameBird is primarily used for UPRT training and secondarily for aerobatic displays. The academy also hopes to eventually establish a national aerobatic team to represent Malaysia at international airshows.

John Sham says the GB1 GameBird is primarily used for UPRT training and secondarily for aerobatic displays.

“I’ll be performing at the Lima Airshow (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition) next month in Langkawi,” he said.

He noted that Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia currently do not have any internationally-sanctioned UPRT or aerobatics trainer programmes.

“We see this as an opportunity not to compete, but to collaborate,” he said, adding that the academy hopes to establish joint venture training initiatives with regional partners.

John said his upcoming solo aerobatic performance at LIMA will not only demonstrate aircraft manoeuvrability, but also highlight the importance of safety, energy management and control – core elements of UPRT training.

“It’s a chance to showcase what Layang Layang can offer, and to show the world what Malaysia has achieved in meeting international training standards,” he added.

He said Malaysia has a robust and competent aviation authority which regulates the sector efficiently, adding that the UPRT module is a collaborative team success that must be documented.

Mardiana Razali says being a woman should not deter one from performing aerobatics.

Captain Mardiana Razali RMAF (Rtd), a former C130 Hercules pilot in the RMAF for 20 years, said her experience in the air force put her in good stead to be a UPRT trainer, particularly in aerobatics.

She said she was attached to the Maritime section where they performed search and rescue (SAR) missions which involved manoeuvring the bid C130 Hercules maritime aircraft over wide areas of sea and land.

“I was the captain of my aircraft as part of the team searching for the MH370 in the South China Sea for about a month with teams from other countries.

“I have often been told that flying, especially aerobatics, is not easy for women, but that shouldn’t stop us from pursuing it as a profession,” Mardiana said. “I truly enjoy teaching UPRT to aspiring pilots, because these skills are critical to their development and safety as future aviators.”