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SABIHA GOKCEN
Country: Turkey
Profession: Aviator
Sabiha Gokcen was born in Bursa on March 21 1913. She started elementary School during the Turkish war of
Independence. She was adopted by Ataturk during his trip to Bursa in 1923 and was brought to Ankara.
She completed her elementary education at the school in the garden of the Cankaya Presidential Mansion.
She started secondary school at Arnavutkoy American College for Girls, but due to her health problems she
continued her education with private tutors at the Cankaya Mansion. Upon the passing of the Surnames Law
in 1934 she was given the surname of Gokcen by Ataturk. She was accepted to The Turkkusu-Turkish Civil
Aviation School which was established by the Turkish Aeronautical Association (Turk Hava Kurumu) in 1935
upon Ataturk 's orders as the first girl student. After having had training on gliders, she received 'A'
and 'B' licenses and was sent to the Academy at U.S.S.R. for advanced training on glider pilotage and to
become a glider instructor. In 1936 she started the Military Air School in Eskisehir being the first and
the only woman in the school. She graduated with high honors and became the 'First Turkish Woman Pilot'
and 'The First Woman War Pilot of the World'. She was assigned to Eskisehir Air Base and flew 21
different types of aircraft including fighters, bombers and Turkkusu aircraft. Sabiha Gokcen took part in
the 1937 War Games in Thrace and the Aegean Sea, and in the Dersim Operations with the 2nd Company of the
first Aircraft Regiment. In 1938 she was assigned as principal of the Turkkusu Flying School and continued
this post until 1954. She also attended training's at the US Air force Academy. She stopped flying at
1964 but continued teaching. Her husband was also a war pilot and died few years after their marriage.
She lives in Ankara and being the honorary member of many Associations attends Conferences as a speaker.
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had adapted her as her daughter and seeing her skills in horse riding as a child
and success in her education leaded and guided her in this area which she did very successfully.
Contributed by Mine Tuncak.
Sema Karaoglu |
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