NEW DELHI, May 19 -- Squadron Leader Saanya has become the first woman officer to earn the coveted Cat A Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) qualification, the highest instructional rating for a pilot in the Indian Air Force, the IAF said on Monday.

It said her achievement - a watershed in the IAF's 93-year history - would inspire aviators across the country.

"Excellence takes flight. Sqn Ldr Saanya achieved a historic first by becoming the first woman officer to earn the coveted Cat-A Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) qualification. Her achievement embodies dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence. A proud milestone for the IAF and an inspiration for aspiring aviators across the nation," the IAF wrote on X.

Saanya, who the air fo...