Hilal Aydın becomes the Turkish Navy’s first female aircraft pilot

The 28-year-old first lieutenant will fly maritime patrol aircraft at the Naval Air Command in Kocaeli.

Navy First Lieutenant Hilal Aydın has become the first female aircraft pilot in the history of the Turkish Naval Forces after completing her flight training. The 28-year-old will serve as a maritime patrol aircraft pilot at the Naval Air Command in Kartepe, Kocaeli.

Hilal Aydın in the cockpit

Born in Adıyaman, Aydın graduated from the Naval Academy in 2021 and served aboard the frigate TCG Gemlik before applying for pilot training in 2022. She completed selection flights, basic training at the Turkish Aeronautical Association University and advanced training at the Naval Aviation Flight School.

Aydın seen through the cockpit window of her aircraft