GOD-SENT BAGAWAN
Veteran trained pilots for RMAF, the corporate world and helped businessmen set up helicopter companies
LIKE god-send, Captain Bagawan Singh emerged from scratch to serve the nation in various capacities.
Even his name (Bagawan means god) speaks loudly about his achievements and contributions.
He not only helped keep the nation’s sovereignty intact but also helped bolster the country’s aviation industry.
Bagawan, who turned 60 on Feb 28, has trained dozens of pilots for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the corporate world and helped establish helicopter companies for wealthy businessmen.
He went a step further nine years ago to establish his own helicopter company — Helistar Resources Sdn Bhd in Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang, Selangor.
“It has been a long and arduous journey. But the blood, sweat and tears have eventually paid off. I started my company with only one helicopter. Today, we operate with four helicopters and have a dedicated team of pilots and crew,” said the veteran, who had served the RMAF for 15 years.
Bagawan has seen it all in his four decades as a helicopter pilot, clocking tens of thousands of flight hours.
He saw action during the communist insurgency, assisted in natural disasters and humanitarian missions, carried surveillance for the authorities, did timber screening for logging companies and has flown charter flights for corporate clients.
It’s little wonder that he knows the terrain like the palm of his hands, having flown low-level tactical missions in numerous operations in the peninsula and East Malaysia.
These include dispatching supplies and troops for the then Police Field Force (now General Operations Force), Senoi Praaq Orang Asli battalions, police VAT 69 commandos and the army.
The military missions include “Ops Gubir”, “Bamboo” and “Echo”, where Bagawan and crew risked lives to save others.
“Those were the trying times at the height of the communist insurgency. Like many other ablebodied Malaysians, I too stepped forward to protect our motherland from the threats of the enemy,” said Bagawan.
He added that the knowledge and skills acquired from the RMAF came in handy later on when he was able to establish aviation wings for corporate companies.
“My pride was in assisting corporate businessmen purchase helicopters, and help them establish and operate an aviation firm from scratch.”