In the history of the Republic of Türkiye, there is only one person officially recorded as both “retired from minaret craftsmanship” and “Türkiye’s first female aerobatic pilot”: Edibe SUBAŞI KUTUCUOĞLU. When she would jokingly say that she retired as a “minaret repairer,” it wasn’t because she accepted the absurdity, but because she had no choice but to live with it.
Edibe Subaşı, whom Mustafa Kemal Atatürk saw great potential in, was one of the first four women trained by Sabiha Gökçen, the world’s first female combat pilot. In 1935, in order to apply for the nationwide selection to be trained at the Turkish Aeronautical Association’s Türkkuşu Flight School, she increased her age on paper and managed to pass the eliminations in Adana, earning a spot in İnönü. After successfully completing theoretical courses, parachute jumps, and glider flights, she earned her badge. She also received aerobatic flight training and went on to become Turkey’s first female aerobatic pilot.
Flying became her passion. Determined to improve herself, she chose to remain at Türkkuşu Flight School. First as a glider instructor candidate and later as a certified instructor, she trained many aspiring pilots. During this time, she strengthened her long-flight endurance and mastered aerobatic maneuvers — a discipline requiring extreme skill and precision.
Subaşı showcased her aerobatic talents both in Türkiye and abroad, including the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, France, and Italy. Everywhere she went, she represented the Republic of Türkiye, Turkish aviation, and Turkish women, becoming a source of pride for women worldwide.
One of her most memorable performances was in 1954 at an international air show in Athens. As the only female pilot in the Turkish delegation, she mesmerized the crowd with her aerobatics. The words spoken by the Greek Deputy Minister of Aviation went down in history: “We are grateful because you will be an example for Greek girls.” Subaşı dedicated all such praise not to herself, but to the women of Türkiye, inspiring women around the world.
While continuing her teaching career at the Turkish Aeronautical Association, she survived several accidents. However, in 1957, a severe training accident forced her to end her flying career. She suffered serious burns and fractures across her body. After a long recovery, it became clear she could no longer serve as a flight instructor and was medically retired.
At the time, the Turkish social security system had no occupational category for aviation professionals. As a result, she was officially recorded first as a machinist, then a driver, and finally as a minaret worker — changes driven by her repeated objections to the meager pension she received.
For a pioneering pilot who contributed immensely to Turkish aviation and trained countless aviators, this was a tragic flaw of the system. While it became a bitter joke, Subaşı never stopped supporting aviation. She continued meeting with young aviation enthusiasts and sharing her experiences.
She was also one of the key figures who contributed to the founding of the Turkish Stars (Turk Yildizlari), the Turkish Air Force’s aerobatic team established in 1992. In 2019, Türkiye’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation officially recognized her as “Türkiye’s First Female Aerobatic Pilot” through its Gender Balance Development Commission.
Edibe Subaşı remains one of the pioneering women of Turkish aviation, remembered for her courage, perseverance, and groundbreaking contributions.
