Sabiha Gökçen - Combat pilot

Sabiha is the adopted daughter of Atatürk and was the world's first female combat pilot. She way born in Bursa. Atatürk believed in the future of aviation and he founded a civil aviation school called Türkkuşu (Turkish Bird). Sabiha was the first female student of the school and graduated in 1935.

She was sent to Russia, for advanced training and then enrolled at the Military Aviation Academy in Eskisehir in 1936. She also received training at the First Aircraft Regiment in Eskisehir, and improved her skills by flying 21 different types of aircraft including fighters, bombers and Turkkusu aircrafts. Her skills and bravery during the Second World Ware earned her numerous international awards and recognition.

She also attended training at the US Air force Academy. Later, she was appointed chief trainer of Turkkuşu where she served until 1955. Sabiha had almost 500 hours of flight time in a long list of aircrafts made in France, Great Britain, Germany, United States and Turkey. She retired from active flying in 1964 however continued teaching.

The surname Gökçen (related to sky) was given to her by Atatürk. She was the first female student of Turkey's first civil aviation school Türkkuşu (Turkish Bird) and graduated in 1935. The Turkish Aeronautical Association published her book, "My Life Following Atatürk's Footsteps", on the 100th anniversary of Atatürk's birthday.

"Sabiha Gökçen Airport", the second international airport in Istanbul, on the Asian side, is named in her honor.

Latest comments about this article

 By t.l.schmitt@att.net  14.12.2003

I am proud of all Turkish....I love you all dearly. Thank you for teaching me how to be nice!!! We will fly together again. Tom 281 744 4126

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