On Thursday, October 8th, Queen Suthida, the 48-year-old Queen of Thailand, successfully completed a historic 41-minute solo flight mission at the 7th Wing Base in Surat Thani, southern Thailand. She piloted a Saab JAS 39C Gripen supersonic fighter jet belonging to the Royal Thai Air Force, becoming the first female pilot of the Gripen fighter jet in Thailand. It was a significant achievement for the Queen, who was presented with flowers and a Gripen Order Golden Patch by the Thai King.
The Queen’s flight was closely watched by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is also a seasoned pilot. The King was present throughout the Queen’s pre-flight checks, takeoff, and landing. After her safe return, the King personally congratulated her with a bouquet of flowers and awarded her the prestigious Gripen Order Golden Patch, recognizing her historic accomplishment.
The Queen underwent approximately four weeks of training on the modified aircraft model at the 7th Wing, but this achievement was the result of months of systematic training and years of experience. Starting from June, she completed 45 theoretical and emergency response courses, along with 20 simulator exercises. Accompanied by a coach, she accumulated 10.13 hours of flight time on the dual-seat JAS 39D Gripen fighter jet.
The Air Force emphasized that the Queen’s exceptional situational awareness and information processing under high pressure were key to her success. This particular case does not imply that beginners can master fighter jet operations or qualify for combat in a short period.
Queen Suthida’s aviation career began in 2010. Previously a flight attendant for a Thai airline, she transitioned to piloting various military and civilian training aircraft upon joining the royal family. She holds qualifications to fly Boeing 737 passenger planes and has accumulated 1,188.48 hours of flight time. The Queen often serves as the co-pilot alongside the King for royal duties, including challenging landings and takeoffs at airports like Paro International Airport in Bhutan.
Currently, the Thai Air Force operates a squadron of Swedish Saab Gripen C/D fighter jets and signed a procurement contract worth around 556 million US dollars last year to acquire Gripen E/F aircraft, with deliveries expected to be completed by 2030. The Queen’s solo flight not only showcases her long-standing passion for aviation but also marks a new chapter in the history of the Royal Thai Air Force.