PUTRAJAYA: The National Day flypast event may have lasted only minutes, but ensuring those moments are carried out safely actually involved months of planning and preparations.
With 35 aircraft taking part in this year’s flypast and aerial display performance, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) had to manage 73 aircraft movements – 53 departures and 20 arrivals – before the designated airspace around the area was temporarily closed at 8.45am yesterday.
Planning began as early as February and involved close coordination among CAAM, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), commercial airlines, airport operators and other relevant stakeholders, said CAAM chief executive officer Datuk Capt Norazman Mahmud.
The air display during the National Day parade featured four Su-30MKMs, four F/A-18D Hornets and three BAE Hawk 208 fighter jets.
Fighter aircraft were followed by the flight of RMAF transport aircraft, including the C-130H Hercules, A400M Atlas and CN235.
The display also featured EC725 and AW139 helicopters operated by the RMAF, flying in formation with assets from the army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Fire and Rescue Department and police.
Norazman said a dedicated team of CAAM air traffic controllers were assigned to manage civil air traffic throughout the operation.
Norazman said CAAM’s objective is to safely and efficiently manage civilian air traffic before, during and after the temporary airspace restriction, while supporting the National Day flypast with minimal disruption to normal flight operations.
“Safety is the overriding priority,” he said.
