Sabah’s remaining 50-year-old Nomad aircraft is still in good condition.
Half-century-old aircraft continues to fly across Malaysia for aerial filming, photography, and mapping.
FIVE decades on, Sabah’s remaining GAF Nomad N-22B aircraft is still flying high.
Under the careful watch of its limited number of engineers and technicians, the aircraft is kept in top condition, ensuring it meets airworthiness standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
“Just like cars, maintenance is needed to ensure it is roadworthy. For aircraft, it must meet airworthiness standards,” said Sabah Air Aviation group chief executive officer Rodney Linus (pic).
“Thanks to our team, this half-century-old aircraft continues to fly across Malaysia for aerial filming, photography, and mapping.”
Linus noted that the Nomad’s stability and slow flight make it a preferred choice for these tasks.
The aircraft is modified to house large cameras and Lidar (light detection and ranging) sensors for mapping, requiring specific alterations such as a hatch in the fuselage to accommodate the equipment.
Linus acknowledged the challenges of maintaining the ageing fleet due to the scarcity of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts.
“Globally, there are seven Nomad aircraft left, with three in Malaysia. Finding original parts is nearly impossible, so we custom-make them, requiring CAAM approval before installation. Without approval, neither engineers nor pilots will authorise or operate the aircraft,” he said.
Maintenance is conducted based on hours, calendar, or condition.
A man doing the mapping exercise on board Sabah’s remaining Nomad aircraft.
Calendar-based maintenance requires parts replacement regardless of flight activity, hours-based is determined by flight hours as specified by the manufacturer, and condition-based depends on the part’s state.
Apart from the difficulty in sourcing spare parts, the limited number of pilots qualified to fly the Nomad also complicates matters.
“We have very few pilots who can fly the Nomad, and the absence of simulators adds to the challenge,” Linus said.
“While the Nomad’s unique features are valuable for specific tasks, we are considering modern aircraft for future use, despite financial and logistical challenges.”
Sabah acquired two of the Australian-made aircraft in 1975.
The modified hatch which houses the large cameras and lidar sensors for mapping.
A year later, one of the planes crashed on June 6, carrying Sabah’s first and fifth chief minister Tun Fuad Stephens and nine others, leading to the tragic Double Six Tragedy with no survivors.
They were on a flight from Labuan when it crashed in Sembulan, while approaching the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Also perished in the Double Six Tragedy were Fuad’s son Johari, state ministers Datuk Salleh Sulong, Datuk Peter Mojuntin, and Chong Thien Vun, assistant minister Darius Binion, Sabah finance ministry permanent secretary Datuk Wahid Peter Andau, Isak Atan (private secretary to Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who was then finance minister), Corporal Said Mohammad (bodyguard to Fuad), and pilot Captain Gandhi Nathan.
Considering the aircraft’s sentimental and historical value, Linus said Sabah Air Aviation is contemplating donating the remaining Nomad to Sabah Museums.
