TRIBUTE TO THE LATE COL. (Rtd) ZAKARIA SALLEH

The late Col. Zakaria Salleh (whom everyone called Zak) was a small-built pilot but his aerial exploits and the significant contributions he made to general aviation in Southeast Asia was legendary.

I first met Zak when he was teaching several of us to fly the Quicksilver ultralight during his spare time. We were flying at various open spaces which were pending development and as soon as construction work started at these sites, we had to move like nomads to new flying sites. At that time Zak held the rank of Flying Officer in the air force and was flying F5 jet fighters. I then lost touch with him as I progressed to Cessnas and flew at proper airfields.

Several years later, Zak started instructing at the Royal Selangor Flying Club where I was regularly flying from. He was ater elected the Club Captain and was responsible for all flying activities of the club. In this role he organised regular fly-ins, open days, flying competitions and air shows. I enjoyed participating in most of these events which took us to various airports and airstrips not only within Malaysia but also in the neighbouring countries.




A FLY-IN TO PESTA LUMUT IN 1991
Zak is circled  The writer is second from left.

Subsequently Zak retired from the air force with the rank of Colonel and having flown various fighter types like the CL-41G Tutor, Northrop F5 and A4 Skyhawk. He then flew target tugs and later several bizjets for a living. His flying and organising skills were recognised and he was subsequently elected as President of the Malaysian Sports Aviation Federation which is the umbrella organisation for all sports aviation related bodies in the country.

Zak loved aerobatics and formation flying and would put on impressive flying maneouvres at various air shows in the region. He was most famous for leading the Eagle 150 Aerobatic Team which regularly took part in the country's Independence Day parade flypasts and in air shows overseas. On occasions where the Eagle aircraft were not available, he would call up several pilots from various flying clubs and still put on a commendable performance. I was glad to join in and fly on some of these events.



PILOTS AFTER A FORMATION FLIGHT
(Zak is circled. The writer is second from right)

The Eagle 150 was a highly aerobatic aircraft and in the hands of someone like Zak, it was capable of some magnificient stunts that never failed to impress crowds. Zak, however, yearned for more. He went out and bought a dedicated aerobatic aircraft, the Christen Eagle, from the US. This was the aircraft he loved and with it he went on to mesmerise the crowds with his superb flying skills.



A CHRISTEN EAGLE AEROBATIC AIRCRAFT
(Wikipedia)

On June 23, 2011, while performing aerobatics in front of an air show crowd in Padang, Indonesia, his Christen Eagle slid down from a vertical climb and crashed to the ground. His wife, Leila, was watching from the stands. Zak passed away in hospital shortly after.



ZAK LEADING HIS EAGLE 150 OUT OF A HANGAR IN PEKANBARU AIRPORT

To Leila and the family, I send my deepest condolence. Zak was a good friend and helpful at all times especially in my flying activities. He is well-known in the flying fraternity in Malaysia as well as in the neghbouring countries. We shall always remember him.

A Prop-Driven F16

Nowhere near the F16 jet fighter that any pilot would give an arm and a leg to fly, the Eagle 150B is a strange looking prop-driven bird with three pairs of "wings". Besides the usual main wing and a tailplane seen on most aircraft, the Eagle has in addition a pair of canards that stick outwards from under the engine. Why I liken this bird to an F16 is the feeling one gets when sitting in the cockpit. The side by side two seats in the cockpit are tilted backwards and the bubble canopy gives the pilots an excellent all-round view, both features being characteristic of the F16.

Performance-wise I like the way it handles. There is enough power from the 125hp engine and the controls are light with enough sensitivity for aerobatic maneouvres. Its capabilities are well demonstrated by the popular unofficial Eagle Aerobatic Team consisting of several retired Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilots who put in an hour or so of practice each time before performing at various air shows in Malaysia and the neighbouring countries.

Flying with an instructor once, I had experienced looping in the Eagle. Although I would have preferred a more powerful engine, the loop was satisfactory as the plane first picked up speed in a shallow dive and had enough speed still to pull it over the top.

The airframe is totally made of composite material which explains why only a 125hp engine is sufficient to power it. The smooth and shining composite surface reduces drag substantially and the sturdiness of the material makes metal airplanes feel like jelly.

The single joystick rises up from the console between the two pilots so there is nothing between each pilot's legs. To the pilot it's a sidestick, just like in an F-16. On it are attached the electric trim switches (there's no trim wheel). There are two sets of flaps - one on the main wing and another on the canards. The two sets of flaps are coordinated and are operated by switches below the instrument panel.

A C172 pilot (like myself) would consider the Eagle as a more electrical and sophisticated bird. Its also like moving from a sedan to a sports car. On the other hand, the aircraft is also suitable for beginners because of its smooth handling characteristics. Many in fact had learned to fly in it.

Originally designed and manufactured in Australia, the Eagle's manufacturing rights were purchased by a Malaysian company. It is believed that its production line is now non-operational. It's a great plane to fly and I for one shall certainly miss it.