Fancy flying, anyone?

Driving and sight-seeing around town brought me to the defunct Sultan Azlan Shah Airport on a sunny weekend. Buzzing sounds from aircrafts in flights are familiar to nearby residents. These are flight lessons of aspiring pilots from government and private organisations as well as individuals at the Integrated Aviation Academy under the Integrated Training and Services. Operational officially since 2004, the flying courses offered by the leading training provider in Malaysia and the Southeast Asia region are approved and accredited by the Department of Civil Aviation, Malaysia (DCA) and the Ministry of Defence Malaysia (MINDEF). The academy offers courses such as CPL/IR Aeroplane and CPL/IR H and has a fleet of aircrafts comprising of Cirrus SR20 G3, Piper Seneca, Eurocopter EC 120B-Colibri (single engine turbine helicopter), Eurocopter AS355 NP Ecureuil (twin engine helicopter), Robinson R44 and Socata TB10. A CPL/IR Aeroplane course can cost more than RM200, 000.

Pics 1 and 2: Parked heli and Cirrus at the school.

Pics 3 and 4: Piper Seneca and Sirrus on the runway.

Pics 5, 6, 7 and 8: Aircrafts waiting to take off.

Pics 9: Up, up and away.

A latest update on the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport. National turboprop aircraft operator Firefly with ATR72-500 will have direct flights between Ipoh and Singapore starting July 2009. This new route will definitely be good for trade, investment and tourism for the state besides making Ipoh city easily accessible for its great food!

King of hobbies, Hobby of kings

A recent visit to the local stamp exhibition held on 3-8 February brings back reminiscence of childhood's pastimes. Philately was one of them. Stamps from letters and purchases, exchanging with friends as well as 'plundering' from an uncle's stamp album contributed to my collection. Half the joy of this hobby was discovering stamps of odd shapes and sizes and of animals foreign to this part of region and half from showing friends the 'treasure troves' owned.

Held at the town hall, this exhibition not only put on displays of stamps of yesteryears (mint and used stamps) but also first day covers and miniature sheets, presentation packs, souvenir sheets, bank notes and coins, albums and catalogues, picture postcards and used telephone cards.


Stamp enthusiasts and advanced collectors have the opportunity to order rare stamps and complete their collections by ordering directly from various stamp traders participating at the exhibition or the Philately Bureau of Malaysia. They were also able to become members of the Philatelic Society of Malaysia and enjoy various benefits available.

Genesis~Creation of the World. In the beginning God created the heaven and earth. And the earth was without form, and void.

Designed by Neil Waldman, sheetlet of 24x29c stamps issued by Palau as a tribute to the Earth Summit held in Rio in June 1992.

Dogs, dogs, breeds of dogs.From top to bottom (clockwise): German Shepherd, Irish Setter, Schipperke, Whippet and Pomeranian.

Released for the 7th World Congress of the Kennel Clubs in Bermuda on 12 November 1992, six popular breeds were highlighted: German Shepherd (25c), Irish Setter (35c), Whippet (60c), Border Terrier (75c), Pomeranian (85c) and Schipperke ($1).

Superman: Man of Steel

Described as more powerful than a locomotive, Superman was born in Toronto, Canada in 1938. Appeared in the Canada Post on 2 October 1995, this collection was designed by Louis Fishaul. Together with Superman, four other comic book superheroes were featured: Nelvana of the Northern Lights, Johnny Canuck, Captain Canuck and Fleur de Lys.