Youngest Female Pilot Achieves Solo Flight Milestone in Türkiye
A 16-year-old high school student hailing from Bursa has made history by becoming the youngest female pilot in Türkiye to accomplish a solo flight.
Remarkable Feat on Türkiye's Foundation Anniversary
"Undertaking this flight on Türkiye's 101st anniversary as the youngest individual was an indescribable moment. It felt incredibly beautiful, and I'm proud to follow in the footsteps of Sabiha Gökçen, the first Turkish female pilot," shared Defne Özcan after successfully completing her maiden solo flight in a single-engine red aircraft.
A Lifelong Dream Takes Flight
Raised with a passion for the skies by her aviator father, Özcan and her father enrolled in an amateur aviation certification program at a private flight school in March 2023 to pursue their shared dream of flying.
Training and Certification Journey
Following rigorous training, including six hours of flight and ten hours of ground lessons, Defne obtained her certification and advanced to further license training. She logged 18 hours of flight time over 13 missions with the guidance of five instructor pilots, culminating in her momentous solo flight on her 19th hour of flying.
An Emotionally Fulfilling Experience
Reflecting on her journey, Özcan expressed, "Before my first solo flight, I would always watch videos of people who had flown solo. But until you’re up there yourself, it’s not truly possible to grasp what they’ve described. I experienced every emotion they spoke of."
Aspirations Beyond the Skies
While aviation will forever hold a special place in her heart, Defne's career goal, like her father's, is to pursue mechanical engineering. Her decision to achieve this milestone at 16 was not just a personal triumph but a deliberate step to raise awareness in society.
