Legend of the Skies: Khoy Hing Remains Active After 50 Years in the Cockpit
MOHD AZLIM ZAINURY
SHAH ALAM – After more than five decades at the controls of an aircraft, former Malaysia Airlines (MAS) pilot Captain Lim Khoy Hing is no stranger to the national aviation community and continues to be a reference point in the aviation world, even at the age of 79.
The highly experienced figure was the focus of attention at a recent casual gathering of veteran pilots at a restaurant in Kayu SS2, Petaling Jaya. The meeting was also attended by former MAS Chief Pilot, Datuk Captain Nik Ahmad Huzlan Nik Hussain.
The gathering involved six pilots aged between 79 and 82, bringing together nearly 300 years of combined experience in the country’s aviation industry.
Thank you, Datuk.
According to Nik Ahmad Huzlan, he has known Khoy Hing—more fondly known as Captain Lim—for the past 48 years, since the latter was still serving as a Major flying the C-130 Hercules at the Sungai Besi air base.
“Even after more than half a century holding the yoke and throttle, Captain Lim remains active in writing and contributing articles to AirAsia’s in-flight magazine,” he said when contacted by Sinar Harian on Monday.
Captain Lim is also the author of two best-selling aviation books that have helped the public better understand the world of aviation from the perspective of a professional pilot.
At the gathering, he presented a personally signed copy of his book to Nik Ahmad Huzlan as a symbol of a friendship that has endured since the 1970s.
Besides Captain Lim, the group comprised former military pilots who began their careers more than 60 years ago before later joining MAS, AirAsia, and Malindo.
Some of them had flown a wide range of aircraft, from helicopters and fighter jets to large four-engine aircraft.
In fact, several returned to service as simulator instructors after retirement, ensuring that knowledge and experience continue to be passed on to the next generation.
“They started out flying aircraft with technology simpler than that of a RM70,000 car today, but ended their service careers in cockpits filled with LED screens and modern automated systems,” Nik Ahmad Huzlan explained.
The quality of this group of veteran pilots is internationally recognised, with many of them having been capable of joining the world’s premier airlines.
“Each of them has safely carried at least half a million passengers to their destinations, through tropical storms, typhoons, snow, and desert heat,” he added.
Nik Ahmad Huzlan said their high level of competence is the reason they are still able to sit and dine together, a testament to expertise that cannot be disputed.
Although some had not met for more than a decade, the gathering was warm and friendly, as if they had never been apart.
Nik Ahmad Huzlan’s wife, a Senior Flight Attendant for 35 years, also dropped by briefly and joined the conversation easily, reflecting the close-knit nature of the national aviation community.
Commenting on the saying, “there are bold pilots and old pilots, but never old and bold pilots,” Nik Ahmad Huzlan stressed that it is inaccurate.
“Right in front of me that day sat a group of senior pilots who proved that they are not only old, but also brave and still outstanding,” he said.
Being more than a decade younger than the group, he felt fortunate to have had the opportunity to sit among a legendary generation that built a significant part of the nation’s aviation history.