Hilal Aydın becomes first female pilot for Turkish Naval Forces

Lieutenant Hilal Aydın has become the first female aircraft pilot in the history of the Turkish Naval Forces. Currently stationed at the Naval Air Force Command in Kartepe, Kocaeli, Aydın serves as a maritime patrol aircraft pilot.

Aydın’s path to aviation began after she transitioned from studying geological engineering at Middle East Technical University to enrolling in the Naval Academy. After graduating as a second lieutenant in 2021, she held various roles, including operations electronic assistant officer and safety and accident prevention officer.

Following her application for pilot training in 2022, she successfully completed rigorous selection processes, basic and fundamental flight training at Turkish Air Force University, and advanced training at the Naval Flight School Command. She described becoming a pilot as a “turning point” in her professional life.