PUTRAJAYA, Aug 31 — As the roar of fighter jets thundered across the skies above Dataran Putrajaya, the spirited voice of Major Dinnesh Nicolas Rene became the bridge between the aerial spectacle and the thousands of eyes fixed skyward, ensuring every manoeuvre was brought to life with precision and passion.

The role of air show commentator, says Dinnesh, a 34-year-old Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) officer, goes far beyond reading a script into a microphone.

It demands extensive knowledge of the aircraft, pilots, formations and every manoeuvre to be performed.

Dinnesh, who has served in the RMAF since 2015, first ventured into this field after being selected as a commentator at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2019, before continuing the role during the RMAF’s anniversary.

“That was where my career as an air show commentator with the RMAF began,” said the officer, who now serves in the RMAF Air Defence Control Division, in an interview with Bernama.

For the 2026 National Day parade and march-past, Dinnesh took on the role of air commentator alongside Major Neny Suhaida Ab Suki and Captain Muhammad Iqbal Nasrudin.

He said that while his experience as an air defence officer has given him closer insight into the operational aspects that need to be explained during air show commentary, the task still requires substantial preparation. 

According to him, preparations begin with meetings and coordination with ground controllers and pilots to ensure that every detail regarding the display is accurately known.

“We need to know what the aircraft will be doing, how many aircraft are involved, who the pilots are, and the motto of each squadron. We also need to coordinate with other security agencies because we must work closely with everyone involved in the air show,” he said.

For large-scale events such as the National Day celebration, which is also attended by the King and the Prime Minister, he said mastery of protocol is among the key challenges.

Dinnesh added that commentators must be aware of what can and cannot be said, while also ensuring that information is delivered at the right moment.

However, he said the biggest challenge for an air show commentator is preserving the voice, the very asset that carries the information and stirs excitement among the crowd amidst the roar of aircraft overhead.

“Unlike a master of ceremonies, a commentator needs to project a powerful voice, so the risk of losing it is very high. Managing and protecting the voice throughout rehearsals right up to the actual day is one of the most critical challenges,” he said.

To ensure the performance remains energetic and maintains its momentum, Dinnesh follows a simple principle: the commentator must first feel and embody the spirit they wish to convey.

He shared that despite years of watching fighter jets up close, his sense of awe and excitement for air shows remains as strong as ever. — Bernama