Revealed! This is the First Indonesian Who Could Fly on an Aeroplane

Amid soaring ticket prices, aeroplanes remain the primary mode of transport for Indonesians travelling domestically and internationally. Millions of Indonesians use air transport each year. However, behind the bustling world of aviation today, who was the first Indonesian to board a plane? There is no official record that definitively confirms the answer. Nevertheless, one figure is frequently mentioned in various accounts as the first Indonesian to experience flying in the air: Abah Ono. Abah Ono lived during the early development of aviation in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). He was known as a resident of Cimahi, Bandung, who had an extraordinary experience for his time. Around 1915, when aeroplanes were still a new and rare technology, Abah Ono regularly flew from Bandung to Batavia (now Jakarta). At that time, the aeroplanes used were very basic, propeller-driven with limited technology. Even not all Dutch people had the opportunity to ride them. Yet, Abah Ono could fly almost every week. This was not without reason. According to a report in the Berita Buana newspaper (15 February 1981), Abah Ono was the guard for a Dutch officer named Colonel Obooste. Due to his duties, Abah Ono often accompanied him on air journeys. His abilities were also a key factor. He was known for his exceptionally sharp eyesight, which was crucial in aviation at the time. From the air, he could distinguish views that were difficult to differentiate, such as settlements, plantations, roads, and rivers. In addition, Abah Ono had another rare advantage at the time. He never suffered from airsickness, even from his first flight. This made him even more relied upon for every journey. Beyond his flying stories, Abah Ono was also known for his extraordinarily long life. In 1981, he claimed to be 131 years old, which made many people doubt him, including local administrative officials. However, an investigation by a Berita Buana reporter uncovered an official document from the Ministry of Defence dated 1953, recording Abah Ono’s age at that time as already 112 years. “Based on KPTS-MP (Minister of Defence) no. 1456/12/II/III/PO/D/Dated 17-1-1953, Abah Ono’s age is stated as 112 years,” revealed Berita Buana. Regardless of the controversy over his age, Abah Ono’s story remains an intriguing part of Indonesia’s aviation history. He symbolises how a technology that now feels commonplace was once something very exclusive, enjoyed by only a handful of people.