{
  "id": 13002090,
  "title": "Queen Suthida flies fighter jet solo to become Thailand's first female Gripen pilot",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/queen-suthida-flies-fighter-jet-solo-to-become-thailands-first-female",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T02:12:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "VnExpress International",
    "slug": "vnexpress-international",
    "url": "https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/queen-suthida-flies-fighter-jet-solo-to-become-thailand-s-first-female-gripen-pilot-5130138.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a historic first, Queen Suthida of Thailand recently took to the skies as the nation's inaugural female pilot of the JAS 39C Gripen fighter jet. The 48-year-old monarch flew for 41 minutes from Wing 7 in Phun Phin District, according to a palace account reported by Thai business daily Krungthep Turakij.\n\nKing Maha Vajiralongkorn, 74, joined her for a briefing on the flight plan before the queen inspected the aircraft and took it to Runway 22 for takeoff. Upon landing, the king presented her with a bouquet and attached a Gripen Order Golden Patch to her left sleeve, signifying her acceptance into the honorary Swedish association of Gripen pilots.\n\nThe queen's achievement came after completing a conversion course at the air force's invitation, following the standard curriculum for Thai Gripen pilots. She spent over 10 hours in the two-seat JAS 39D before transitioning to the single-seat Gripen, having completed 45 academic and emergency-procedure subjects in June and July.\n\nPrior to her aviation accomplishments, Queen Suthida served as a Thai Airways flight attendant and joined the security detail of the then-crown prince. She logged more than 1,188 flying hours, with more than 450 of those hours on the Boeing 737-800. She holds an airline transport pilot license and a Boeing 737 type rating, and frequently co-pilots the king's royal flights.\n\nThe queen's flight occurred during a state visit to Vietnam, where she and the king flew the Gripen from Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport to Bhutan's Paro airport. Wing 7, home to Thailand's Gripen C/D squadron since 2011, operates 11 of the Swedish-made jets, with orders for four newer Gripen E/F aircraft placed in August 2025.",
  "summary": "Thailand's Queen Suthida flew a Gripen fighter jet solo for the first time on Oct. 8, watched by King Maha Vajiralongkorn at an air base in Surat Thani Province.",
  "key_points": [
    "Queen Suthida becomes Thailand's first female Gripen pilot.",
    "48-year-old monarch flies 41-minute solo flight from Wing 7.",
    "King presents her with Gripen Order Golden Patch post-flight."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Queen Suthida's solo Gripen flight cements her status as a highly accomplished pilot and paves the way for women in the Thai military to pursue careers in combat aviation.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Thailand’s Queen Suthida takes to the skies for solo flight in fighter jet",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/thailands-queen-suthida-takes-to-the-skies-for-solo-flight-in-fighter",
        "published": "2026-10-09T03:08:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}