Known by his call sign “Scratchman”, the former Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fighter pilot instructor transitioned into the commercial aviation sector after leaving military service in 2019.

However, his timing proved challenging as the pandemic grounded airlines worldwide, halting commercial aviation opportunities. With resilience and resourcefulness, he turned to his lifelong passion – music – to support his family.

During that period, he performed as a singer-musician with various bands at prominent entertainment venues across the Klang Valley.

Sham was also a professional disc jockey, and winning the Malaysian Open DJ Competition back in 1992 further showcased his versatility and talent in the entertainment scene.

“Back in the vinyl era, DJs were known for their creative scratching techniques, and I became recognised for my unique style behind the turntables. That’s when I earned my nickname Scratchman,” he told FMT.

Scratching, sometimes referred to as scrubbing, is a DJ and turntablist technique of moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable to produce percussive or rhythmic sounds.

Despite the movement control order during the pandemic, flight training at the Layang Layang Flying Academy was initially allowed under strict SOPs.

So, the academy remained operational. They even had an opening for a flying instructor, an opportunity Sham seized to return to the skies.

“So, I joined them. I was fortunate to have a boss like Haji Johan Poong who is behind my success as a civil aerobatic pilot and the flying academy. He inspires us all by encouraging us whenever we propose ideas to move the institution forward,” he said.

With more than 25 years of experience in the RMAF, Sham, 52, has transitioned from military aviation to civil aerobatics, making a mark in the field that is quite rare in Malaysia.

First locally approved aerobatic pilot

His passion for this sport has led him to be the first locally approved aerobatic pilot by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

“This expertise allows me to train other pilots in aerobatic manoeuvres. I am aiming to develop aerobatic flying in the country first before getting teams to venture abroad to perform at airshows.

“This journey took three years and was far from easy. I’m deeply grateful to the CAAM for their support in facilitating the necessary approvals and endorsements,” he said, adding that CAAM’s strict regulatory standards pushed him to achieve a high level of safety and excellence in the sport.

Sham said his goal now is to first grow aerobatic flying in Malaysia before developing teams to represent the country at international airshows.

He now leads as the head of training at the academy, spearheading the academy’s Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) programme – Malaysia’s first and only pilot training school to offer this specialised module.

“By combining UPRT and aerobatics, we prepare pilots not just to fly, but to recover from the unexpected – ensuring safety and resilience in every flight. The UPRT, which will be made a compulsory module for trainee pilots from 2027 in Malaysia, involves five hours of aerobatic training,” he said.

CAAM has already issued UPRT guidelines, and is actively moving toward mandatory implementation for all trainee pilots by 2027.

Sham said they chose the GB1 GameBird aircraft after carefully shortlisting platforms capable of delivering both UPRT and aerobatic training.

“Its modern design, responsive handling, and safety margins made it the ideal choice. I began using it early last year, completed my aerobatic training in the two-seater, and have since flown four solo air displays.

“In 2023, I performed at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2023) and Melaka International Air Carnival, and at the Selangor Aviation Show last year,” he said.

He is now preparing for LIMA 2025, set to take place later this month in Langkawi. With several sponsors already on board to support his performance and technical crew, he is seeking additional sponsorship to help cover the high operational costs involved.

“As airshow flying is a non-profit effort, every contribution makes a difference – from fuel and logistics to safety and maintenance. In return, sponsors will have their logos proudly displayed on his flying suit, gaining visibility at one of the region’s most prestigious aviation events,” he said.

Being the first aerobatic pilot and certified trainer has allowed him to train other pilots. This makes him the pivotal figure in developing and advancing aerobatic flying in the country.

He said his work is not just about performing or training, but also actively promoting aerobatics as a legitimate and inspiring part of Malaysian aviation, laying the foundation for future generations to carry it forward.

Demonstrating his deep commitment to aviation, Sham encouraged his daughter Samantha to follow in his footsteps, fully aware of the risks that come with the profession.

She recently completed her training at the academy, becoming one of the first graduates equipped with advanced UPRT with a solid foundation in aerobatic flying.

Sham said people have asked him what keeps him doing these daring acts despite his age.

“When I was in kindergarten, my teacher asked why I wanted to be a fighter pilot as my first choice. My reply was if you aim for the stars, at the very least, you’ll reach the skies.’ That keeps me going till now.”