Thailand's Queen Suthida Completes First Solo Gripen Flight
The Queen completed a conversion course and received the Gripen Order Golden Patch after 45 academic subjects, 20 simulator sorties and 10 hours in a two-seat jet.
- On Thursday, Queen Suthida flew a Saab JAS 39C Gripen solo for the first time at Royal Thai Air Force Wing 7 in Surat Thani, observed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
- The conversion course followed the RTAF standard syllabus, involving 45 academic subjects, 20 simulator sorties, and approximately 10 hours of dual flight instruction before the Queen transitioned to the single-seat fighter.
- Suthida, who first became a pilot in 2010 flying a Cessna T-41D in Bangkok, now has more than 1,188 hours of experience across multiple aircraft types including the Pilatus PC-9 and Piper PA-34 Seneca.
- King Maha Vajiralongkorn presented the Queen with the Gripen Order Golden Patch after landing, marking her acceptance as a full member of the Swedish association and confirming her status as Thailand's first female Gripen pilot.
- The Thai Air Force is expanding its fleet with four Gripen E/F fighters ordered in August 2025, with Saab expecting to complete deliveries by 2030.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Thai queen makes first solo flight in Gripen fighter jet
Thailand's Queen Suthida completed her first solo flight in a JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet, marking a significant aviation achievement. The flight took place from Wing 7 Air Base in Surat Thani, with King Maha Vajiralongkorn observing from the ground.
48-year-old Sutida became the first female Gripen pilot in her country – Her husband the King watched the flight and greeted her with flowers after landing
Queen Suthida participated in Jas Gripen flight training at the invitation of the Royal Thai Air Force.
The Queen of Thailand, Suthida, carried out her first solo flight on a Swedish-made JAS 39C Gripen fighter aircraft. Suthida has undergone a refresher training programme for Thai Air Force pilots, transmitting RIA News with reference to Bangkok Post. After landing at an airbase in Suratthani province, King Maha Watchiralongkon has given her a bouquet of flowers and an honorary gold chevron, which is awarded to pilots who have been retrained to p…
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