--- title: Sabiha Gökçen slug: sabiha-gokcen-67780 url: /detay/sabiha-gokcen-67780 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Sabiha Gökçen type: biography categories: - name: General Knowledge slug: genel-kultur url: /kategori/genel-kultur - name: History slug: tarih url: /kategori/tarih - name: Aviation And Space slug: havacilik-ve-uzay url: /kategori/havacilik-ve-uzay tags: - war pilot - First Female Pilot - Turkish Aeronautical Association - Sabiha Gökçen author: Onur Çolak created_at: 2026-07-14T17:51:33.226263+03:00 updated_at: 2026-07-14T17:51:33.226263+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/22/40PrYad7F8N9KQVewDlWOevvsVjWwJvN.jpg --- # Sabiha Gökçen > Sabiha Gökçen (1913–2001), the first female pilot of the Republic of Türkiye, is the world's first female combat pilot. ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Sabiha Gökçen ![uC1LjSITtDAODD5A-generated_image.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/22/a26XpRlOK8E9cqwPIEvLfhLdMZnNTLQQ.jpg) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Spouse | Captain Kemal Esiner | | Mother | Hayriye Hanım | | Father | Mustafa İzzet Bey | | Date of birth | 1913-03-22 | | Place of birth | Bursa | | Education | Eskişehir Military Aviation School,Üsküdar American Girls' College,Koktebel High Glider School,Çankaya Primary School,Arnavutköy Girls' College | | Occupation | Military Pilot,Educator | | Award | Murassa (Honor) Medal,Inclusion in the List of the World's 20 Most Successful Aviators,FAI Gold Medal,Yugoslav Military Aviation Badge,White Eagle Order | | Employing institution | Turkish Aeronautical Association,Turkish Armed Forces | | Final flight | Falcon 2000 (1996-83 years old) | | Date of death | 2001-03-22 | | Place of death | Ankara | | Burial place | Cebeci Martyrdom/Ankara | | Important places named after its name | Sabiha Gökçen International Airport | ## Article Content Sabiha Gökçen is Türkiye's first female pilot and the world's first female combat pilot. Raised in line with the goal of making Turkish women more active and visible in public life following the proclamation of the Republic, she became one of the symbols of the modern Turkish woman. Known not only in Türkiye but also internationally for her contributions to aviation and her international achievements, she emerged as a prominent figure. ### **Childhood and Meeting Atatürk** Sabiha Gökçen was born on 22 March 1913 in Bursa. Her father was Mustafa İzzet Bey, the Chief Secretary of the Bursa Province, and her mother was Hayriye Hanım. Having lost both parents at a young age, Sabiha and her siblings endured a difficult period marked by economic and social hardship. During this time, they struggled against the challenges brought by wartime conditions. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/22/8KIP3iBnFWMZ0ntLqpJUbRzCe0iIZGkC.webp) *Generated with the help of artificial intelligence.* Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s visit to Bursa between 22 September and 8 October 1925 is regarded as a turning point in Sabiha’s life. During the visit, she met Atatürk and expressed her desire to receive an education and attend a boarding school. Atatürk welcomed her request, formally adopted her as his spiritual daughter, and took her to Ankara, initiating a new chapter in her life. ### **Educational Journey** Sabiha Gökçen began her education at Çankaya Primary School after being taken to Ankara. Early in her schooling, she experienced conflicts and disagreements with teachers, leading to disruptions in her studies. However, following direct intervention by Atatürk, the educational environment became more disciplined, and this period became one of the foundational elements shaping her understanding of discipline. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/22/nypQSybQ5KslRNQ0phiwKPnTo34YC0Dg.jpg) *Generated with the help of artificial intelligence.* After completing primary education, Gökçen continued her studies at Arnavutköy Girls’ College in Istanbul and later at Üsküdar American College for Girls. During this time, she faced health problems and was forced to interrupt her education to receive treatment in Heybeliada and Vienna. Subsequently, she traveled to Paris to study French, gaining valuable opportunities to improve her language skills. ### **Surname and Identity Formation** With the adoption of the Surname Law in 1934, Atatürk bestowed upon Sabiha the surname “Gökçen.” He chose this surname to encourage young people’s interest in aviation. This change marked a significant transformation in Sabiha’s life and influenced her future career choice. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/22/bVGqVa6y2xBgxEwQsBWdbtA1T52No7LI.webp) *Generated with the help of artificial intelligence.* After adopting the surname “Gökçen,” she began to be recognized by this name in her social circles. This change in name is seen as a key factor in helping her set new personal and professional goals. The symbolic meaning of the surname reinforced her interest and orientation toward a career in aviation. ### **Entry into Aviation** Sabiha Gökçen’s interest in aviation emerged during the ceremony held on 3 May 1935 by the Turkish Aircraft Society to launch the Türkkuşu. Inspired by the aviation demonstrations at the event and encouraged by Atatürk, she turned toward this field and became the first female student to enroll in its training program. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/22/Z45Ky6lWwbStmaFn9DJJXJ1NeVuI2z3e.webp) *Generated with the help of artificial intelligence.* Atatürk viewed aviation as one of the symbols of Türkiye’s modernization process. In this context, Sabiha’s entry into aviation was regarded and supported as part of broader social transformation policies. This support became a major source of motivation throughout her career. ### **Abroad Education and Early Achievements** Gökçen was among the first group of students sent by the Turkish Aeronautical Association to the Koktebel Glider School in the Soviet Union, beginning her training on 10 July 1935. She excelled during her training and earned the title of “Glider Instructor.” She completed her first powered flight on 25 February 1936. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/22/FwsNYk4EqjVeaJy0bJk5U81NKdCqTRxF.webp) *Designed with artificial intelligence.* After completing her training in Crimea, Sabiha planned to continue her education at the Motorized Aircraft School in Moscow. However, upon receiving news of her sister Zehra’s death, she interrupted her studies and returned to Türkiye, where she began serving as an instructor at Türkkuşu. ### **First Female Military and Combat Pilot** In 1937, Gökçen completed her military pilot training at Eskişehir Air School, becoming Türkiye’s first female military pilot. The same year, by participating in the Dersim Operation, she earned the title of the world’s first female combat pilot. This operation is regarded as a turning point in her career. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/22/IIUSB0aiilH9cqsjGOD6VWmGX9NW86C4.webp) *Designed with artificial intelligence.* As a symbolic figure in the Republic’s modernization policies, Sabiha Gökçen’s public appearances in military uniform, at Atatürk’s request, further enhanced her symbolic significance. ### **International Peace Mission** In 1938, Sabiha Gökçen undertook a solo flight tour covering Balkan countries, organized to support Türkiye’s international peace policies. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/22/aFaMsMPV65ZOhyFzqWernmlIxSmPiTRc.webp) *Designed with artificial intelligence.* During her return journey on 21 June 1938, her aircraft experienced a mechanical failure, forcing her to make an emergency landing in the town of Bozau, Romania. This incident became one of the most notable and remembered moments of her Balkan tour. ### **Personal Life** In her personal life, Sabiha Gökçen married Kemal Esiner, a military geography and topography instructor, in 1940. Contrary to the social norms of the time, instead of adopting her husband’s surname, Esiner adopted her surname “Gökçen.” However, the marriage was brief; Kemal Esiner died on 12 January 1943 due to a typhus epidemic. After her husband’s death, Sabiha Gökçen never remarried and devoted the majority of her life to aviation activities. Although Sabiha Gökçen’s marriage was short-lived, her choice to retain and pass on her surname in marriage can be seen as a symbolic stance against traditional societal norms. This marriage did not disrupt her social life or professional activities; on the contrary, it allowed her to continue her pioneering role in Turkish aviation history. ### **Symbol of Turkish Modernization for Women** Sabiha Gökçen is regarded as one of the symbolic figures who enhanced the presence of women in the public sphere during the Turkish modernization process. Her achievements as a military pilot were seen as evidence of the Republic’s policies toward women. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/03/22/oYcY6LYDSXWDTKcAdLFkc7QSUht0YglC.webp) *Designed with artificial intelligence.* Her public presence and technical competence were viewed as proof that women could succeed in diverse professional fields, making her one of the symbols of the modernization movement. ### **Awards and Medals** **1. Turkish Aeronautical Association’s First Class Medal and Certificate**: Awarded after the Dersim Operation. **2. Yugoslav Army’s White Eagle Order and Military Badge**: Awarded by Yugoslavia following her flights to Balkan countries. **3. Romanian Army Aviation Badge**: Awarded by the Romanian Army. **4. Thrace and Aegean Maneuvers Commemorative Medals**: Awarded in recognition of her participation in military exercises. **5. 50th Anniversary Plaque of Turkish Women’s Right to Vote and Be Elected**: One of the plaques awarded by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye to pioneering women in their professions. **6. Honorary Doctorate from Selçuk University**: Awarded in 1989. **7. International Aeronautical Federation (FAI) Gold Medal**: Awarded in 1991 for her contributions to aviation. **8. Recognition Among the 20 Aviators Who Made History**: Received this honor in 1996 at a ceremony held at Maxwell Air Force Base in the United States. **9. 28 Commemorative Plaques**: Awarded by the military, various associations, and organizations. ### **Final Years and Death** Sabiha Gökçen died on 22 March 2001 due to heart failure. Since her death, numerous airports and educational institutions across Türkiye have been named in her honor. Even after her death, she continues to be recognized as one of the symbolic figures in the advancement of aviation and the strengthening of women’s position in society. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Balcı, Meral, and Yeşim Karadeniz. "Cumhuriyet Modernleşmesinin Genç Kadın Pilotu: Sabiha Gökçen." Marmara Üniversitesi Kadın ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Araştırmaları Dergisi 2, no. 1 (2018): 1-7. 2. Yalçın, Osman, and Hilal Yalçın. "Balkan Semalarında Barış İçin Uçan Bir Türk Kadını: Sabiha GÖKÇEN." Yeditepe Üniversitesi Tarih Bölümü Araştırma Dergisi 2, no. 5 (January 2019): 13-30. 3. Yaralı Akkaya, Aysun. "Türk Modernleşmesinin Kadın-Asker Sembolü Sabiha Gökçen Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme." Uluslararası Toplum Araştırmaları Dergisi 11, no. 18 (June 2019). 4. Yücer, Saime. "Sabiha Gökçen (Esiner) (1913-2001)." Atatürk Ansiklopedisi (2018).