FLYING remote-controlled (RC) aircraft may be a hobby for Razalie Hussaini, but it’s one he pursues with the seriousness of a dedicated enthusiast.
Over the years, he’s acquired the experience and know-how to fly the aircraft with skill and precision, manoeuvring them in the air before landing them safely.
It wasn’t easy at first, though.
“This is a risky hobby. You can crash or lose the aircraft. It’s happened to me before.
“One of my aircraft flew into the jungle once and I couldn’t find it again after searching for a few days.
“Or sometimes the aircraft will crash into a tree. So you have to steel yourself for that,” he said.
Razalie’s interest in the hobby began during his school days in Miri when he saw people flying RC aircraft. His interest grew while he was in university and he started buying small RC aircraft.
But he only became actively involved after starting work in Kuching in 2011 and meeting a group of fellow enthusiasts known as the Petra Flyers RC Club.
For him, the camaraderie of the group is one of the best parts of the hobby.
“Having friends with the same interests is important. We share our knowledge and teach each other to improve.
“If you try to pursue this hobby on your own, you will give up when you run into difficulties.
“The best part is we help each other. If we face problems, we ask and our friends will suggest what to do,” he said.
Razalie said he started with small aircraft before proceeding to larger and more complex models, particularly helicopters.
He also built up a collection of RC airplanes and helicopters, including a few which he constructed himself while others were bought and modified.
“There are many types of RC aircraft. Some have propellers, some have nitro fuel or gasoline engines, some are amphibious and can land on water or land.
“Usually I will customise the models that I buy. With the help of my friends, I will spray the body to look like real helicopters or planes,” he said.
The oldest aircraft in his collection is about 20 years old, which he bought secondhand, but can still fly.
His favourites are the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s MiG-29 “Smokey Bandit” jet and the Bell “Huey” helicopter.
“Each plane has its own character. Some are built for acrobatic flying and others for speed.
“For airplanes, the hardest part is the landing. That’s usually when a crash can happen. You need to learn about tailwinds and headwinds and manouevre the plane accordingly.
“RC helicopters are easier to land because they hover like real helicopters. But controlling a slow-moving helicopter is a difficult skill.”
When it comes to flying, Razalie tries to mimic the action of real aircraft as closely as possible.
“We like to watch the flying action at LIMA (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition) and we try to do the same thing,” he said.
“Sometimes we fly our aircraft in formation. Our aircraft will take off together and someone will shout instructions: turn right, do some loops.
“And then we’ll all scramble to land our aircraft because RC jets can usually fly for about three minutes before the battery runs out.”
For beginners, Razalie advised joining a group to learn the basics and receive guidance from more experienced flyers.
He also said they should have a co-pilot next to them who can take over the controls if something happens.
“You need patience and focus to control the aircraft. But once you’ve mastered the skills, flying the aircraft can be a relaxing experience,” he concluded.
