The sky's the limit for ex-army man
Ikhwan Azilah was once part of the Royal Malay Regiment but has been running a paragliding business since his retirement in 2005.
Photographs by Djohan Shahrin
Former army man Ikhwan Azilah starts each morning with a cup of coffee.
He joined the Royal Malay Regiment in 1994, a decision which changed him from a rock music enthusiast to a strict and disciplined man.
In 1999, he took up paragliding and never looked back. He went from Indonesia to New Zealand to learn the best techniques for flying, completing several courses in hang gliding and paragliding.
He is currently the president of the Malaysian Air Gliding Association which was established in 2001.
Even after leaving the army, he exercises on a regular basis in order to keep fit.
He goes through a number of routines designed to keep his stamina at an optimum level.
Before heading out for the day, he checks the weather to see what the wind conditions are.
His wife sees him to the door as he leaves for work, carrying his equipment with him.
His destination is Bukit Jugra in Kuala Langat, a popular area for hang gliding and paragliding activities.
An aerial view of the hill, which is known for its lighthouse and has been gazetted as a tourist spot.
A participant flies in tandem with a more experienced pilot, who navigates the glider throughout the duration of the flight.
Ikhwan checks a woman's safety harness as part of the SOPs before the activity begins.
The glider is a large structure. How far it will go depends on the wind speed and strength.
A paraglider sails over several individuals preparing for another flight on the hill below.
A woman smiles at the GoPro camera as she takes off with Ikhwan, who charges RM250 per person.
It is an exhilerating experience as the glider soars from one location to the next.
Ikhwan also teaches those who are keen on paragliding, such as this student, Jeffrie Izzudin Abdul Sanih.
He teaches Jeffrie the correct technique for holding the 'riser' before lifting the chute into the air.
This technique is known as 'kiting', and must be practised over and over again.
They stand on the hilltop as the wind billows through the chute.
It is a tiring exercise but one that must be mastered before the individual is allowed to fly solo at heights of 120m above the sea level.
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