Скачать или смотреть Princess Leonor Makes History and Becomes the First Woman in Spanish Royal Family to Fly Solo

Princess Leonor of Spain made her first solo flight yesterday as part of her military training at the General Academy of Air and Space (AGA), in San Javier (Murcia), by the House of the King on its website. The daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia made history by becoming the first woman of Spanish royalty to make a solo flight when she completes her fourth month of instruction as an ensign of the Air and Space Army. Her studies are being carried out after having been previously trained in the previous academic courses at the Military Academy of Zaragoza of the Army and in the Navy at the Naval Military School of Marin (Pontevedra).

During this training period, the Princess of Spain has followed an intensive instruction program aimed at acquiring aeronautical knowledge and learning to operate the aircraft model in which she is trained and flies, the Pilatus PC-21 (E.27). This preparation is complemented with other contents oriented to deepen the knowledge of the organization, structure and functioning of the Air and Space Army.

Following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, two renowned Army pilots, Princess Leonor has previously passed the corresponding theoretical training, as well as the simulator sessions and instruction flights in the Pilatus PC-21. This process has allowed her, according to the King’s House, to acquire the necessary skills to safely perform the so-called release, which took place on Thursday, December 18.

Over the last few months, the future head of state’s training has included, among other activities, pre-flight preparation, operational briefings, aircraft checks and teaching flights, as well as training in flight simulators. Leonor’s instruction has been completed with other activities typical of military air training, such as survival exercises at sea, training with protective equipment, including the anti-G chaps, and her participation in the traditional act of swearing of the flag held at the General Academy of Air and Space on the occasion of the feast of the patron saint of aviators, the Virgin of Loreto, celebrated this month.

Princess Leonor currently holds the rank of Cadet Ensign with the Army and Midshipman following completion of her naval training earlier this summer. And her solo mission is the next step in a lifelong commitment to service.