Who is Sabiha Gökçen? We told about your life

“Who is the proudest pilot in Turkish aviation history?” If we ask, most of us think Sabiha Gokcen income. This is of course not a coincidence, it stems from the struggling story of a successful and brave woman.

Sabiha Gökçen, the first female fighter pilot in Turkish history, was in the air throughout her flight life. more than 8,000 hours spent time. She participated in many military operations and showed the courage of Turkish women to the whole world. Come all together ”Who is Sabiha Gökçen?” Let’s answer the question and examine the beginning of his aviation career and his achievements, starting from his life.

Sabiha Gökçen’s meeting with Atatürk changed the direction of her life.

Our first female pilot was born in Bursa on March 22, 1913. However, since he lost his mother and father at a young age, his struggle with life started early. In 1925, when he was 12 years old, he was found near his home. He had the opportunity to meet Atatürk, who came to stay at the Hünkâr Mansion.. When Atatürk saw her as one of his adopted children, Sabiha Gökçen’s life began to change completely.

Atatürk adopted Sabiha Gökçen and she continued her education at Üsküdar American High School. biggest supporter dead. The Surname Law was enacted in 1934 and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gave Sabiha the surname “Gökçen”.

Atatürk’s support was great in the beginning of his aviation career.

Sabiha Gökçen said that her interest in aviation started with the glider flights exhibited at the opening ceremony of Türkkuşu. Following this interest, he entered the Turkish Aeronautical Association’s Türk Kuşu Civil Aviation School in the same year. Of course, at this point, Atatürk always continued his support for his adopted daughter.

He received his first high gliding badges in Ankara and then, together with 7 male students, to Crimea sent. Gökçen completed his high glider training there, too.

”Perhaps you will be the first female military pilot in the world.”

Here are what Atatürk said to Sabiha Gökçen, who completed her education: “You have made me very happy… Now I can explain what I have planned for you… Maybe you will be the first female military pilot in the world… You can imagine what a proud event it is for a Turkish girl to be the first military female pilot in the world, right? Now, take action immediately and bring you to Eskişehir.” “I will send you to the Airplane School in Istanbul. You will receive special education there.”

Upon these words, when Gökçen returned to the country in 1936, military pilot career It started in Eskişehir. He made flights with fighter and bomber planes in the 1st Airplane Regiment of Eskişehir Military Air School. In 1937 He received his first military flight badge.

After receiving her military flight badge, Sabiha Gökçen achieved many successes one after another.

• In 1938, he flew for five days, without even taking a mechanic with him, as requested by Atatürk. alone He made a Balkan tour. At the end of this tour, which he carried out with a Vultee type aircraft, he was awarded the White Eagle medal by the Yugoslav Chief of General Staff. After this tour, she began to be known as the “daughter of the skies” in the world.
• She fought for the law regarding women serving in the army, but this law was not passed. Thereupon Sabiha Gökçen decision to leave the army He was appointed as the head teacher of Türkkuşu Flight School. Then he became a board member of the Turkish Aeronautical Association.
• In 1953 and 1959, he went to the USA upon invitation. Turkish society and Turkish women He had the opportunity to introduce it to the whole world once again.
• In 1996, he attended the Eagles Meeting held for the graduation ceremony of the American Air Staff College as a guest of honor. At the ceremony at Maxwell Air Force Base He was selected as one of the 20 aviators who made their name in world history.

Sabiha Gökçen received many awards and medals with her achievements throughout her aviation career.

• Turkish Aeronautical Association’s number one “Pride (Murassa) Medal and Certificate”
• “Order of the White Eagle and Army Badge”, the highest decoration of the Yugoslav army
• Romanian Army Aviation Badge
• Commemorative medals awarded for the Thrace and Aegean maneuvers
• “Pioneering Women in Their Professions Plaque” given at the ceremony in the Turkish Grand National Assembly on the 50th anniversary of Turkish women gaining the right to vote and be elected.
• Selçuk University Honorary Doctorate Degree
• Gold medal awarded by the Turkish Aeronautical Association in 1989
• “FAI Gold Medal” given by the International Aviation Federation to aviators who have achieved outstanding success in all branches of aviation in 1991.
• In 1996, he was given the title of “One of the 20 aviators who made their name in world history” at the ceremony at Maxwell Air Base, USA.
• 28 plaques given by Ordu, various associations and organizations

Remarkable information about Sabiha Gökçen:

• Sabiha Gökçen is not only Turkey’s first female pilot, but also the first female fighter pilot in the world.
• He flew around 8,000 hours throughout his aviation career.
• He took part in 32 different military operations.
• He had his first experience flying a powered aircraft in 1936.
• He flew a total of 22 different light bomber and acrobatic aircraft throughout his flight life.
• He made his last flight in 1996, at the age of 83, with a Falcon 2000 aircraft accompanied by French Pilot Daniel Acton.
• In 1940, she married First Lieutenant Kemal Esiner, a military geography and topography teacher at the air school, and gave her surname to his wife.
• With the title of “One of the 20 aviators who made their name in world history”, she became the first and only female pilot in world history to receive this title.
• He died of heart failure on March 22, 2001, at the age of 88.

We have come to the end of our article about our first female fighter pilot, Sabiha Gökçen, who engraved her name in golden letters in Turkish aviation history.

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