Flying long haul has its rewards

(From right) Malaysian Air Force chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang witnessing BAE Systems senior military adviser Sir Andrew Pulford present a token of recognition to Mejar Fairul Mohd Rustam and Mejar Zulkifli Mohamad with the Hawk 208 in the background at Lima 2019 in Langkawi, Kedah. — Photos: Bernama

TWO Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) Hawk 208 pilots broke the world record for making the longest duration of flight when they flew for four hours and 12 minutes in August 2016.

Mejar Fairul ‘Gillette’ Mohd Rustham, 33, and Mejar Zulkifli ‘Steady’ Mohamad, 38, from No 15 Squadron at the Butterworth Air Base, Penang, shattered the record made by former British Royal Air Force squadron leader John Hurrell, who flew for three hours and 56 minutes in 1988.