The Sultan Of Brunei: A Pilot's Passion

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is a qualified pilot. He flew his own Boeing 747 to India in 2018 to attend the ASEAN India Commemorative Summit. The Sultan is known for his lavish lifestyle and is ranked among the wealthiest individuals in the world, with a net worth of $30 billion as of 2023. He is also the Prime Minister of Brunei and has ruled the country with an iron fist since 1967, making him the world's longest-reigning current monarch.

The Sultan of Brunei is a qualified pilot

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is a qualified pilot. He is one of the world's longest-serving monarchs, having ascended to the throne in 1967. He is also the Prime Minister of Brunei and is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world.

The Sultan's interest in aviation may have begun during his military training in Britain, where he trained as an officer at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst. He has since put his piloting skills to use, flying his own aircraft to various international destinations. On one notable occasion, he flew his Boeing 747 to New Delhi to attend the ASEAN India Commemorative Summit in 2018.

The Sultan's love for aviation extends beyond just piloting planes. He is known to own a private aviation fleet, often referred to as "His Majesty The Sultan's Flight," which includes ultra-luxurious planes and helicopters. This fleet showcases his lavish lifestyle, which is funded by his estimated $30 billion net worth.

The Sultan's qualified pilot status adds to his impressive list of accomplishments and roles, which include being the head of state and government in Brunei. His passion for aviation has also been passed down to his children, with his son, Prince Abdul Mateen, also being a qualified pilot.

He flew his own Boeing 747 to India in 2018

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is a qualified pilot and flew his own Boeing 747 to India in 2018. He arrived at the Air Force Station in Palam, New Delhi, on 24 January 2018, to attend the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit and Republic Day Parade as Chief Guest. The welcoming party was reportedly surprised to see the sultan himself exit the cockpit.

The Boeing 747-400 aircraft is believed to be one of the world's most luxurious planes, furnished with gold-plated furniture. The sultan purchased the plane for at least $100 million (Rs 545 crore) but spent an additional Rs 654 crore on customisation, bringing its value to Rs 1200 crore.

Hassanal Bolkiah is one of the world's richest men, with a personal wealth of $40 billion (Rs 218,200 crore). He is known for his lavish lifestyle and has a passion for cars, reportedly owning around 6,000 vehicles, including 50 Rolls-Royces and the only right-handed Mercedes CLK-GTR in the world. His palace, the Istana Nurul Iman, is said to have 1,788 rooms, and he has built mosques adorned with gold and diamonds.

The sultan has been the prime minister of Brunei since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is also the minister of defence, finance, and external affairs, and the supreme commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. He was crowned the 29th Sultan of Brunei in 1968 and is the world's longest-reigning current monarch.

The Sultan's private aviation fleet

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is a qualified pilot and aviation enthusiast. He owns a private fleet of aircraft known as the 'Sultan's Flight', which includes a range of ultra-luxurious planes and helicopters. Here is an overview of the Sultan's private aviation fleet:

The "Flying Palace" or "Floating Palace"

The crown jewel of the Sultan's fleet is a customised Boeing 747-400, nicknamed the "Flying Palace" or the "Floating Palace". The aircraft is believed to have cost the Sultan between $100 million and $400 million, with an additional $120 million spent on customisations. The interior is lavishly decorated with gold plating, Lalique crystal, hardwood, and custom carpets. It features a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, a remote-controlled private office, a formal dining room, a conference room, and various lounge areas. The bathrooms are fitted with solid gold or gold-plated fixtures and washbasins.

Boeing 767

The Sultan owns at least one Boeing 767, which is another wide-body, long-haul aircraft in his fleet. It offers high-end comfort and luxury for long-distance travel.

Boeing 787-8

The Sultan's fleet includes a modern and spacious Boeing 787-8, designed to provide a comfortable and relaxing flight experience.

Airbus A340

The Sultan also owns an Airbus A340, a wide-body jet that complements his collection of long-range aircraft.

Sikorsky Helicopters

In addition to the larger jets, the Sultan has at least two Sikorsky helicopters, the S70 and S76, which are used for shorter journeys and local travel.

The Sultan's wealth and spending

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the world's wealthiest individuals, with a net worth of around $28-40 billion. He is known for his lavish spending and extravagant lifestyle. Here is an overview of the Sultan's wealth and spending habits:

The Sultan's Wealth

The Sultan of Brunei was once regarded as the world's richest man, with a wealth of $40 billion in the early 1990s. His wealth primarily comes from oil earnings and investments, which earn him approximately £100 per second or $2 billion per year. While his net worth fluctuates, he remains among the wealthiest individuals globally.

Spending on Cars and Aircraft

The Sultan is famous for his passion for cars and is believed to own around 6,000 to 7,000 vehicles, including rare and luxury models. His car collection is estimated to be worth over $5 billion and includes brands such as Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz. He also owns a private aviation fleet, including a customised Boeing 747, a Boeing 767, and an Airbus A340. He even had a 747 customised to transport his polo ponies.

Spending on Properties and Luxuries

The Sultan resides in the Istana Nurul Iman, the world's largest residential palace, with 1,788 rooms. He also owns properties in England, the United States, and elsewhere. He is known to spend lavishly on luxuries such as gold-plated furniture, artwork, and even flying his barber in from London for haircuts costing up to £15,000. He once purchased the jeweller Asprey, which was valued at $385 million, and has hosted extravagant parties, including a £25 million banquet for his 50th birthday, featuring performances by Michael Jackson and other celebrities.

Philanthropy and Investments

The Sultan has also used his wealth for philanthropy, contributing to organisations such as the United Nations International School. Additionally, he has invested in various businesses and supported neighbouring countries during the Asian economic crisis in the late 1990s.

The Sultan's family

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the world's longest-serving monarchs, having ascended to the throne in 1967. He is the eldest son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit. He has three brothers, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Prince Sufri Bolkiah, and Prince Jefri Bolkiah, and six sisters, Princess Masna Bolkiah, Princess Nor'ain Bolkiah, Princess Umi Kalthum Al-Islam Bolkiah, Princess Amal Rakiah Bolkiah, Princess Amal Nasibah Bolkiah, and Princess Amal Jefriah Bolkiah.

Hassanal Bolkiah married his first cousin and first wife, Pengiran Anak Saleha, in 1965. He later married Mariam Abdul Aziz as his second wife in 1981 and Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim as his third wife in 2005. He has 12 children from these three marriages and, as of 2020, 18 grandchildren.

In addition to being the Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah is also the Prime Minister of Brunei and holds multiple high-ranking positions, including the portfolios of defence, finance, and external affairs. He is also the supreme commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

The Sultan is known for his lavish lifestyle, which includes a vast car collection reportedly worth $5 billion and a private aviation fleet of ultra-luxurious planes and helicopters. His palace, the Istana Nurul Iman, is the world's largest residential palace, with 1,788 rooms.

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