DEFYING AGE, PILOT HALIM STILL SOARS WITH AEROBATIC THRILLS

By Nur Syahidayah Mahasan

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Bernama) -- While most people look forward to retirement at 60, swapping busy workdays for hobbies and time with grandchildren, one Malaysian pilot is still reaching for the skies – literally.

Datuk Halim Othman, better known by his callsign TooGoo, is 59 and shows no signs of slowing down. As the commander of Malaysia’s elite national aerobatic team, Krisakti, he continues to perform high-adrenaline stunts in the sky, manoeuvring through complex formations thousands of feet above ground.

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“I’ve never stopped flying. And I don’t intend to,” he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama, his calm composure betraying a lifetime of focus and discipline – and just a hint of adrenaline.

Halim’s journey into aerobatics began in 1991, the same year the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) made its debut. Back then, he was a young Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fighter pilot, flying the legendary Skyhawk jet. Today, over three decades later, he remains active – not only as an aerobatic maestro but also as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Aerotree Group.

With LIMA held every two years, preparation for the event is no small task.

About two months before every LIMA showcase, Halim and his team begin intensive training to condition their bodies for the high G-forces – the powerful gravitational pull experienced during rapid aerial manoeuvres.

“Most of the performers are still serving in the military. For us retired pilots, staying in top form takes extra effort. It requires discipline and consistent training,” he said.

Safety, he stressed, remains the top priority.

To ensure peak performance, Halim has developed a three-phase training approach. Phase one focuses on physical fitness and aircraft readiness. Phase two covers formation design and manoeuvre rehearsals. The final phase involves the actual performance, carried out under strict safety protocols.

“During live shows, there’s always a temptation to push the limits. That’s why training and experience are essential – we must know where the line is, and never cross it,” he added.

And while the pilots are the ones in the spotlight, Halim emphasised that aerobatics is a team effort. “Behind every aerial stunt is a dedicated crew – engineers, safety pilots, and ground operations – all working together to make each performance a success,” he said.

For LIMA 2025, Halim promises a performance unlike anything Malaysia has seen before.

“This year, we’re going beyond the usual. Some of our stunts involve moves that jets can’t do – but propeller aircraft like the X-300 can,” he revealed.

Among the new aerial displays are the cutwind – an inverted roll turn that creates a breathtaking visual from the ground – and the frisbee, a boomerang-style stunt where the aircraft flips, rolls, and reverses mid-flight. Enhanced with vibrant smoke trails, these stunts offer a thrilling spectacle of skill, control, and beauty.

But the highlight? A sunset performance complete with fireworks.

“For the first time in Malaysia, we’ll fly with fireworks at sunset,” said Halim.

Inspired by the public’s love for festive pyrotechnics, Halim’s team has modified their aircraft to carry and launch fireworks mid-air. The special performance will take place over Pantai Cenang, Langkawi.

“The golden hour only lasts about 10 minutes, so we’ll take off just before sunset. I encourage everyone to have their phones ready – it’s a show you won’t want to miss,” he said.

Organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with Global Exhibitions and Conferences Sdn Bhd, LIMA 2025 will return to Langkawi with the theme  “Innovate Today, Thrive Tomorrow”.

 As one of Southeast Asia’s largest maritime and aerospace exhibitions, LIMA continues to showcase cutting-edge advancements while honouring its legacy since 1991.

For Halim, LIMA is more than a stage – it’s a calling.

“I may be nearing 60, but up there in the sky, age disappears. What matters is precision, passion, and the pursuit of flight,” he said.

-- BERNAMA