Bernama Reporter 2nd Non-Military Woman On Board Rafale Fighter Jet

By Nurul Jannah Kamaruddin LANGKAWI (Kedah, Malaysia) March 26 (Bernama) -- Bernama reporter, Norsyafawati Ab Wahab (left), made history when she became the second non-military woman in the world to go on board the Rafale fighter aircraft at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2013 (Lima 2013) Tuesday. The French-made aircraft, produced for the export market, is specially designed with the capability to undertake all forms of military missions perfectly in space. However, for the Business Desk reporter at the Malaysian National News Agency, who celebrated her 25th birthday early this month, this was not a hindrance for her to try this valuable experience, which is considered a new challenge for her. "Before this, as a reporter I only write about the Rafale aircraft. Now, I get to feel the performance of the fighter jet myself, although at first I was nervous as I didn't expect to be selected. "However, after listening to the briefing and demonstration given by Rafale's team, I gained confidence and after the experience of going on board the aircraft, to me it's a worthwhile attempt," she said to Bernama. Following the briefing, Norsyafawati was given the opportunity to go on board the aircraft, administered by experienced Rafale pilot, Fabrice “Tom” Valette, for 30 minutes, at the Lima airspace watched by thousands of spectators. "Definitely the best, expecially when Tom (Valette) flew the aircraft at the lowest possible, almost touching sea level. During the flight, I didn't feel the pressure at all. Certainly felt safe. "If given another opportunity, I will definitely try again. This experience indirectly gives me the motivation, that nothing is impossible if we have the spirit and courage," she said. In 2011, Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) news reader Hanim Muhili, 32, became the first woman to be given the chance to go aboard the Rafale aircraft, thus recognising the capability of women in Malaysia. Meanwhile, for Valette, more affectionately known as Tom, Norsyafawati has a high degree of courage, the same level as that for a military personnel. "She’s doing very well. She did not even scream but enjoyed the trip very much," said Tom, who has the experience of flying the aircraft for more than 23 years or 3,700 flight hours. A pride of France, Rafale is the sole multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) used by the country's airforce and navy and has now attracted the interest of the Indian government to acquire similar technology. Currently, discussions are said to be ongoing between the Rafale manufacturer, Dassault Aviation, and the Indian government in efforts to achieve the agreement to purchase 126 aircraft costing US$10 billion. At the same time, Rafale International, a joint venture of companies comprising Dassault Aviation, Snecma (Safran Group) and Thales, is bidding to offer its aircraft to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) for the MiG-29N aircraft replacement programme. RMAF, which had earlier said it was targeting to replace fully the MiG-29N with other aircraft in 2015, aimed to give priority to strategic aircraft which is capable of undertaking long-range flights and medium aircraft such as MRCA. LIMA 2013, which started from Tuesdayuntil March 30, was officiated by Prime Minister Najib Razak. It was also attended by his wife, Rosmah Mansor and Defence Minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA