Koh Chai Hong
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 |  Singapore |
| 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]
Early life[edit]
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]
Education[edit]
In college, Koh joined the Junior Flying Club, [4] despite parental objections. Koh received her private pilot license within seven months.[1]
Career[edit]
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]
Awards[edit]
In 2015, Koh was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "SINGAPORE WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME - Koh Chai Hong". www.swhf.sg. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Tan, Guan Heng (2008). 100 Inspiring Rafflesians, 1823–2003. World Scientific. pp. 89–90. ISBN 978-981-277-946-5.
- ^ a b "Meet the 2015 Inductees of the Singapore Women's Hall Of Fame". herworldPLUS. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
- ^ "Lockheed Martin · 21 Questions with Team 21". www.lockheedmartin.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-04-15. Retrieved 2016-04-03.