Royal Thai Air Force welcomes first five female pilots

BANGKOK, June 13 (TNA) - The Royal Thai Air Force welcomes its first five female pilots, comprising three air force officers and two civilians. While welcoming the first batch of female military pilots at the Royal Thai Air Force Headquarters on Monday, Thai Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Tritos Sonjaeng said that the five female pilots are capable and are part of the 79-year-old Royal Thai Air Force's history. The air force chief suggested that the first five female pilots be prepared for brave missions, take very high responsibilities, defend the nation and work for national interest. The first five female pilots are Acting Flying Officer Kanchanok Janyarak, a language teacher of the Royal Thai Air Force’s Directorate of Education and Training, Acting Flying Officer Peerasri Jakpaisarn, a financial officer of the Royal Thai Air Force’s Directorate of Finance and Pilot Officer Chanakan Sornjan, an education management officer of the Royal Thai Air Force’s Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy. The two civilians are Sireetorn Lawansathien who graduated in aviation from Rangsit University and the Bangkok Aviation Center and Cholnisa Supawanpong, a graduate from Kasetsart University and the Civil Aviation Training Center. Cholnisa told reporters, meanwhile, that she is proud, feels honored and looks forward to valuable experiences, rather than financial returns which are lower than those of commercial pilots, while Pilot Officer Chanakan revealed that she had dreamed of becoming a pilot since her childhood. The three air force officers will further undergo training and seek pilot licences, the process of which is expected to finish in September 2017, while the two civilians who already have pilot licences will finish their training to be air force pilots in September 2016. (TNA)