Thailand’s Queen Suthida Flies a
Photo: Det thailändska hovet via AP/TT

Thailand’s Queen Suthida Flies a Gripen Solo, Becoming the Country’s First Female Gripen Pilot

Thailand's Queen Suthida has flown a Jas Gripen jet solo, according to images released by the Thai royal court.

The Queen took off from an air base in southern Thailand on Thursday, flying solo in one of Thailand's JAS 39C Gripen aircraft.

According to media reports, she had undergone several weeks of flight simulator training and had flown for ten hours alongside another pilot.

The 48-year-old queen has about 1,190 logged flight hours. She was a flight attendant for Thai Airways before meeting King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is also a pilot. After Thursday's flight, she was designated the country's first female Gripen pilot.

Thailand has a squadron of Gripen C and D aircraft. The country has agreed with Swedish manufacturer Saab to purchase additional E and F models.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers

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