In February we got unexpectedly a mail from Ismail Ashaari in Malaysia. He is the president of the Malaysian Sports Aviation Federation and founder and CEO of the Systematic Aviation Services (a MRO company for fixed wing airplanes and helicopters in Kuala Lumpur). Excited about our project he had discovered on our web site that during our tour we will land at his home airport, Kuala Lumpur Subang.

He spontaneously offered to us his help for Malaysia. What he meant by ‘help’ specifically we find out now. 

Customs and CIQ formalities are finished within the shortest time. In a formation with Ismails Cessna 172 (just one of his numerous airplanes) we taxi our P210 to his new hangar where already all employees of his company expect us for a welcome reception. After a short introduction to the planes that are parked in the hangar, tables, chairs and a lunch buffet were prepared for us.

We are introduced to many interesting people: from the young commercial pilot up to the oldest active pilot of Malaysia, from the New Zealand pilot who flies acro aircraft in Malaysia to the chief mechanic. In addition we happen to meet representatives of the hot-air balloon pilots, the Malaysian Sports Aviation Federation and Malaysian air traffic control. Airman's stories from different parts of the world let pass the afternoon very fast.

In Kuala Lumpur we quickly have to learn about one hurdle which we must take: the taxi drivers. One must absolutely insist first on the use of a taximeter before the trip is started. Otherwise the drivers require easily twice or triple the price of the regular fare.

The next day we use the local traffic system to visit the places of interest of Kuala Lumpur. We like the lots of green in the town. Preservation of nature plays a major role here. Thus for the protection of a hundred year-old tree even the television tower was built beside the originally planned location.
With Ismails invitation for lunch we are introduced to the Malaysian kitchen. Simply deliciously, however it is impossible for us to recall all the names of the various dishes.

Only 164 people per day are allowed to visit the Sky Bridge of the Petronas Towers – for today all tickets are gone. Well, then we just try tomorrow morning …
However, again there comes a phone call of Ismail Ashaari: „Tomorrow I will pick you up at 7 o'clock. Then we’ll fly in 1500 feet around the Twin Towers and you may take pictures“.  No-one ever saw a fatter smile on the face of a pilot (Hans-Juergen).

Welcome to Malaysia!
With the blessing of the Malaysian air traffic control we get permission to fly three full rounds about the Petronas Towers and to the Batu mountains (a world-renowned pilgrimage place of the Hindus) in a formation flight. Only the idea of a similar plan would certainly shock freeze every radar controller in Germany – particularly as the airplane and pilot come from abroad.
Many opportunities for unique pictures. Not enough about surprises: we get an interview with a newspaper journalist in the afternoon.

Finally we are invited by Ismail and his friends to a dinner in the restaurant on top of the Menara Towers (with 421 meters the fourth-highest television tower of the world). We enjoy the dreamlike view of the night in Kuala Lumpur.

Hopefully we sometime get the opportunity to answer the great hospitality of Ismail Ashaari for this unique stay in Malaysia that we certainly never will forget.