Thai Queen Takes to the Skies in Solo Fighter Jet 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, comprising 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 her flight, marking her acceptance as a full member of the Swedish honorary association and confirming her status as Thailand's first female Gripen pilot.
- The Thai Air Force is expanding its fleet with the latest generation of the Swedish fighter, having ordered four Gripen E/F fighters in August 2025 with Saab expecting to complete deliveries by 2030.
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