Sabiha Gökçen
Sabiha Gökçen was born on 22 March 1913 in Bursa. After the early deaths of her parents, she was raised by her older brother Neşet. The turning point in her life came during Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s visit to Bursa in 1925. At the time only twelve years old, Sabiha approached Atatürk and expressed her desire to be educated. Her wish was not left unanswered; Atatürk obtained permission from her family, adopted her as his daughter, and took her to Ankara for her education. When the Surname Law was enacted in 1934, Atatürk bestowed upon her the surname “Gökçen”, symbolizing her devotion to the sky.
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Education and Entry into Aviation
Sabiha Gökçen’s educational journey began at Çankaya Primary School and continued at Üsküdar American High School. Although health issues forced her to pause her studies for a time, she used this period to learn French in Paris and receive medical treatment in Europe. In 1935, her interest in aviation was noticed during an air show organized by the Turkish Aeronautical Association. That same year she enrolled at the Türkkuşu Civil Aviation School and received glider training. She later pursued advanced glider piloting at the Koktebel Glider School in Crimea.
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The World’s First Female Combat Pilot
Sabiha Gökçen made groundbreaking achievements not only in civil aviation but also in military aviation. In 1936 she entered the Eskişehir Military Aviation School, which at the time admitted only male students; however, she was granted special permission to attend the training.
- Military Achievements: She successfully completed rigorous training on fighter and bomber aircraft.
- Active Service: In 1937 she participated in the Dersim Operation, earning the title of the world’s first female combat pilot.
- Awards: For her exceptional accomplishments, she was honored by the Turkish Aeronautical Association with the Murassa (Honor) Medal.
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Instructor Roles and Career at Türkkuşu
After Atatürk’s death, when opportunities for women in the military were closed, Sabiha Gökçen ended her active military service. From 1938 to 1955 she served as chief instructor at Türkkuşu, where she trained numerous young pilots and played an active role in the leadership of the Turkish Aeronautical Association. She was invited to the United States in 1953 and 1959 to represent Turkish women and culture.
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Flight Career, Personal Life, and Legacy
Throughout her life she flew approximately twenty-two different aircraft models, accumulating an estimated 8,000 flight hours and participating in thirty-two military operations. In 1940 she married Lieutenant Kemal Esiner; her husband passed away in 1943. In 1996, at the age of 83, she completed her final honor flight in the United States. She died on 22 March 2001 in Ankara at the Gülhane Military Medical Academy due to heart failure, aged 88. In her memory, Istanbul’s second international airport was named after her and opened as the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
