Until recently, no Bhutanese woman had ever flown a helicopter in the country. That changed around a month ago, when Junior First Officer Kuenga Wangmo earned her wings, officially becoming the country’s first female helicopter pilot. This marks a major milestone for gender representation in a field dominated by men. Her achievement is more than personal; it has opened a path for future generations to follow with hope, courage, and confidence.
Growing up, Kuenga Wangmo had never once imagined flying would be in her future. She had never driven a car, let alone sat inside a helicopter. But when she saw a small announcement for a pilot training programme, she applied anyway.
“After graduating with a Diploma in Civil Engineering in 2017, I knew deep down that engineering was not for me. And when I saw the vacancy announcement for a helicopter pilot, I applied without thinking much, you know, because it sounded so cool, it sounded very exciting to me. I wanted to take that new adventure, and then looking back at it now, I feel like I made a very great decision.”
That single, curious decision would change everything.
Today, at 28, Kuenga Wangmo wears the wings of Bhutan’s first female helicopter pilot, a title she never chased, but one she has more than earned.
Kuenga’s training took her to Canada at the age of 20. It was her first time handling a machine of that scale, and the learning curve was steep. She was often the only woman in the room and in the air.
“All the things were new to me, you know, the technical knowledge, the skills, even learning the air law were all overwhelming to me. But then the instructor they were very supportive and then they were very understanding, they had patience, and they were very helpful. And also while returning to Bhutan, we had the terrain here, the weather, the wind, it’s different and it’s more challenging.”
But slowly, things began to change.
She credits her office management and her mentors, who never made her feel different from her male peers, as the turning point in her journey.
“The management has been very patient with me. My progress was very slow, but they didn’t put that pressure on me. They are waiting for me to progress. And that made me stop second-guessing myself, and it really helped me grow.”
Now, Kuenga flies across Bhutan on missions that range from medical emergencies to passenger transport. Each flight takes her over some of the world’s most rugged terrain, where weather and altitude are as much a challenge as the job itself.
Despite the pressure, Kuenga doesn’t think of herself as a trailblazer, not yet. She aspires to become better, to be trusted with more serious missions.
But whether she realises it or not, her story has already shifted something, especially for young girls who now see a reflection of themselves in her flight suit.
When asked what advice she would give to those unsure of themselves, Kuenga doesn’t hesitate.
“I was someone who didn’t know how to drive or what a helicopter cockpit looked like. If I can do it, then you can too. You don’t need to have it all figured out from the beginning. What matters is the willingness to try, to struggle and the resilience to keep going. Don’t let your doubt, the fear or stereotype stop you. This part, it won’t be easy, but it’s absolutely worth it.”
Now, as Kuenga continues to fly, she carries more than passengers and supplies; she carries possibility, a shift in what is possible.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Kipchu
