Формування образу жінки-пілота в Туреччині: внесок Сабіхи Гьокчен

Abstract

This article analyzes the historical significance and cultural impact of Sabiha Gökçen (1913–2001), the first female military pilot in Turkey and a central figure in the formation of the modern Turkish woman's image. Adopted by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Gökçen became the living embodiment of his sweeping secular reforms, which systematically dismantled gender inequality by abolishing polygamy, granting women voting rights, and ensuring equal educational opportunities. Inspired by the "Turkish Bird" (Türk kuşu) aviation initiative, her journey progressed from initial training in Ankara and specialized aeronautical internships in the USSR to her successful graduation from the previously all-male Military Aviation Academy at the Eskişehir airbase. Special emphasis is placed on Gökçen's combat experience during the 1937 Tunceli operation and her strategic Balkan flight in 1938, which powerfully demonstrated the professional capabilities of Turkish women to the international community. Although the la ck of specific legislation permitting female military service eventually forced her to leave the armed forces, she seamlessly transitioned into a pivotal educational role. Over a 28-year career, she recorded 8,000 flight hours, mastered 22 different types of aircraft, and served as the chief instructor at Türk kuşu, effectively dismantling gender barriers decades before similar advancements occurred in Western air forces. The study examines the institutionalization of her legacy through her inclusion in the U.S. Air Force's poster of the "20 Greatest Aviators in History," the establishment of the FAI Sabiha Gökçen Medal, and the naming of Istanbul's major international airport in her honor. The author concludes that Gökçen’s biography is not merely a record of personal achievement but a powerful ideological symbol that remains a primary source of inspiration for female aviators worldwide.