LANGKAWI: Under the blazing sun at the static aircraft display area of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima'25), a tall young woman can be seen meticulously cleaning a microlight aircraft.
Wearing a bright smile, Wak Elizabeth Tan Say Hong, 19, enthusiastically explained the features of the small aircraft and the services offered by Flytrike, a light aviation company.
However, she is not just an ordinary employee – she is one of Flytrike's pilots.
Uniquely, Wak Elizabeth is of Semai descent from Cameron Highlands.
"I never imagined becoming a pilot. My father, though, always dreamed of being one and that sparked my interest," she said when met at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) here.
Wak Elizabeth's passion for aviation was sparked after a paragliding experience after sitting for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam.
"My career started with Flytrike, a private light aviation company that offers tandem services. I trained under them until I completed my first solo flight and I'm now undergoing tandem training," she said.
She said requirements are straightforward – good health, no colour blindness and legs long enough to reach the throttle.
The second of four siblings, Wak Elizabeth also hopes to inspire others from the Orang Asli community to chase their dreams.
"My mother is an Orang Asli from Batu 17, Jalan Tapah in Cameron Highlands. She grew up in the jungle – without Internet or even a fridge. After marrying my Chinese father, they moved to Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
"To succeed, there's nothing impossible – no matter where you come from or your background," she said, adding she is now working to complete the required flying hours to qualify for a full pilots licence.
Wak Elizabeth said she was thrilled by the experience of being at Lima'25 for the first time, especially seeing aircraft and helicopters from various countries up close on the tarmac.
Describing the microlight she flies – a 409kg Pegasus Quantum – as unique, Wak Elizabeth said the aircraft seats two people and offers a different kind of flying experience compared to conventional planes.
"The microlight's control system works in reverse – push to go up, pull to go down. Its open design gives a more immersive flight experience. You can feel the wind and the surroundings directly, unlike looking through a small window in a commercial plane," she said.
Lima'25, held from May 20 to 24 in Langkawi, is South-East Asia's largest maritime and aerospace exhibition since its inception in 1991. – Bernama
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Wak Elizabeth, Pilot, Microlight Aircraft, Semai, Orang Asli
