Koh Chai Hong | |
---|---|
Personal details | |
Born | 1959 (age 64–65) |
Nationality | Singaporean |
Known for | First female pilot in the Republic of Singapore Air Force and one of first two women to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Singaporean military |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
Koh Chai Hong (born 1959) is a Singaporean pilot who is known for being the first woman to qualify as a pilot in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and one of the first two women to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Singaporean Army. [1] [2] [3] She is also a former national champion in water-skiing. [2]
In 1959, Koh was born. [1] Koh studied at Opera Estate Girls' School and Tanjong Katong Girls School as a child. [1] She attended high school and completed her A levels at Raffles Institution. [1] Koh was a talented athlete and played on the school's women's hockey team. [2] Koh's interest in aviation was sparked by a career talk she attended while at the school. [1]
In college, Koh joined the Junior Flying Club, [4] despite parental objections. Koh received her private pilot license within seven months. [1]
In 1978, when the RSAF first allowed women to join, Koh began training and obtained her pilot wings in 1979 after a year and a half, becoming the first woman to qualify. [1] During Koh's training, she was the only student to win all three flying trophies: best in basic phase, best in advanced phase, and best in aerobatics. [1]
In 1981, Koh became a flying instructor. [2]
In 1987, Koh won a medal as a national water skier at the Southeast Asia Games. [1]
In 1997, Koh was the first woman to be admitted to the highest level of formal military training in Singapore, the Singapore Armed Forces' Command and Staff Course. [1] In 1998, Koh became the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Commanding Officer of Standards Squadron in Flying Training School. [1] In 1999, Koh was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. [1] [3]
In 2005, Chai Hong retired as a Lieutenant-Colonel. [2] Koh became a simulator instructor for Lockheed Martin training RSAF Basic Wings Phase pilot trainees in Perth, Australia. [1]
In 2015, Koh was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. [1]
Koh Chai Hong | |
---|---|
Personal details | |
Born | 1959 (age 64–65) |
Nationality | Singaporean |
Known for | First female pilot in the Republic of Singapore Air Force and one of first two women to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Singaporean military |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
Koh Chai Hong (born 1959) is a Singaporean pilot who is known for being the first woman to qualify as a pilot in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and one of the first two women to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Singaporean Army. [1] [2] [3] She is also a former national champion in water-skiing. [2]
In 1959, Koh was born. [1] Koh studied at Opera Estate Girls' School and Tanjong Katong Girls School as a child. [1] She attended high school and completed her A levels at Raffles Institution. [1] Koh was a talented athlete and played on the school's women's hockey team. [2] Koh's interest in aviation was sparked by a career talk she attended while at the school. [1]
In college, Koh joined the Junior Flying Club, [4] despite parental objections. Koh received her private pilot license within seven months. [1]
In 1978, when the RSAF first allowed women to join, Koh began training and obtained her pilot wings in 1979 after a year and a half, becoming the first woman to qualify. [1] During Koh's training, she was the only student to win all three flying trophies: best in basic phase, best in advanced phase, and best in aerobatics. [1]
In 1981, Koh became a flying instructor. [2]
In 1987, Koh won a medal as a national water skier at the Southeast Asia Games. [1]
In 1997, Koh was the first woman to be admitted to the highest level of formal military training in Singapore, the Singapore Armed Forces' Command and Staff Course. [1] In 1998, Koh became the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Commanding Officer of Standards Squadron in Flying Training School. [1] In 1999, Koh was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. [1] [3]
In 2005, Chai Hong retired as a Lieutenant-Colonel. [2] Koh became a simulator instructor for Lockheed Martin training RSAF Basic Wings Phase pilot trainees in Perth, Australia. [1]
In 2015, Koh was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. [1]