SEOUL, Sept. 6 (AJP) - The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has made history by selecting a female pilot, Major Jeong Da-jung, as a test pilot for the homegrown KF-21 fighter jet, known as "Boramae." This marks the first time a woman will fly a new jet fighter under development, ROKAF announced Thursday.
Major Jeong, 37, is a seasoned pilot with around 1,300 flight hours and experience as a test pilot for the KF-16, the Korean variant of the F-16 fighter jet. Her new role will involve flying the KF-21 to identify potential flaws and suggest improvements before the jet enters mass production. Test pilots often push aircraft to their limits, including shutting down and restarting engines mid-flight to simulate critical scenarios.
While Jeong's role as the first female KF-21 test pilot has drawn attention, she emphasizes that her gender is irrelevant to her job. "There were no difficulties specifically because I am a female pilot. I went through a process that would have been tough and challenging for anyone," she stated. "I want to emphasize that there is no such thing as the first female test pilot for the KF-21; there is only a KF-21 test pilot."
Reflecting on her motivation, Jeong added, "I found many things that needed improvement while flying the KF-16, and that made me want to be a test pilot for the KF-21. As a soldier, I want to contribute to the successful development of the KF-21, which will play a crucial role in protecting the nation.”
The KF-21, a 4.5-generation stealth fighter, is being developed by Korea in partnership with Indonesia, with plans for mass production to begin by 2026, according to Korea Aerospace Industries.