KUCHING – Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today shared how he went against his wife Puan Sri Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang’s wishes by flying on an autonomous aircraft powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from here to Langkawi recently.
According to the Sarawak premier, Juma’ani had tried to persuade him not to proceed with the test flight on an Airbus aircraft powered by SAF produced from microalgae that was still in trial production.
“Of course, my wife discouraged me to go and told me that you never know what is going to happen. But that one (whatever happens), I leave it to God,” he said when launching the International Green Energy Symposium and Exhibition 2023 here.
According to him, the flight offered him the opportunity to check the aircraft’s flight deck, where he was astounded to find that there was no device to manually manoeuvre the latest generation of Airbus aircraft.
“Nothing. All was done on a (switch of a) button. The plane took off on its own… meaning autonomous. (The aircraft) landing was also on its own,” he said.
On seeing this, Abang Johari had asked the pilots how they would handle it if something goes wrong with the aircraft.
“They (the pilots) said it would be taken over by another system in the aircraft. Then the aircraft would be safe… you will be safe,” he said.
According to him, the aircraft manoeuvred autonomously passing other aircraft after being given priority landing in Langkawi, where he was involved in several memoranda of understanding signing ceremonies held in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition then.
Abang Johari said the experience on the flight had led him to think that SAF and the development of autonomous flight would be game changers in the aviation industry – in which Sarawak could play a major part.
He said the state’s abundant natural resources could be used to generate green energy, adding that Sarawak had been successful in the production of solar and hydroelectric power, with wind power and microalgae following suit.
“The latest (material) to produce energy (fuel) for planes is microalgae. Through the utilisation of this technology and digital solutions to produce hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel, and many more, I think we can find alternative solutions to the question of (finding new sources of) energy,” he added. – Bernama, June 7, 2023
