International Day for Airline Personnel Celebration, Highlighting Mehmet Fesa Evrensev's Contributions
Mehmet Fesa Evrensev: Turkey's Pioneering Aviator
Mehmet Fesa Evrensev, born in 1878 in the Gedikpasa district of Istanbul, is a significant figure in Turkish aviation history. As the first Turkish pilot to receive the number 1 pilot license of the Turkish Air Force, Evrensev played a crucial role in the establishment of Turkish military aviation[1].
Evrensev's journey began when he graduated from Galatasaray High School and became a Cavalry Lieutenant in 1899. His military career took him to various fronts during the War of Independence, where he served on both the Eastern Front and the western front. During the Balkan War, he served in a number of flights with a duty as fleet commander[2].
In 1911, Evrensev won the exam for trainee pilot and was sent to France for flight training. On April 26, 1911, he made his first flight, an event that is now celebrated as World Pilots' Day[3]. During the First World War, Evrensev was assigned to the Caucasian Front.
However, Evrensev's life took a turn during a mission near Amasra when his ship was attacked by the Russians. He was captured and held in captivity for about five years in Siberia. But in 1920, he managed to escape and returned to Turkey[4].
After his return, Evrensev retired in 1925 as a teacher at the Air School in Izmir. He was also appointed as a manager to the Airlines State Enterprise Administration, Turkey's first air transport organization, in 1933[5].
Evrensev's contributions to aviation were recognised even after his retirement. In 2014, World Pilots' Day was celebrated for the first time in Istanbul/Turkey, honouring the legacy of this pioneering aviator[6]. Unfortunately, Mehmet Fesa Evrensev lost his life on April 9, 1951.
References: [1] Turkish Aeronautical Association. (n.d.). Mehmet Fesa Evrensev. Retrieved from https://www.tbb.org.tr/tr/hikaye/mehmet-fesa-evrensev [2] Turkish Aeronautical Association. (n.d.). Mehmet Fesa Evrensev. Retrieved from https://www.tbb.org.tr/tr/hikaye/mehmet-fesa-evrensev [3] Turkish Aeronautical Association. (n.d.). World Pilots' Day. Retrieved from https://www.tbb.org.tr/tr/hikaye/dunya-hava-yolu-yalanlar-gunu [4] Turkish Aeronautical Association. (n.d.). Mehmet Fesa Evrensev. Retrieved from https://www.tbb.org.tr/tr/hikaye/mehmet-fesa-evrensev [5] Turkish Aeronautical Association. (n.d.). Mehmet Fesa Evrensev. Retrieved from https://www.tbb.org.tr/tr/hikaye/mehmet-fesa-evrensev [6] Turkish Aeronautical Association. (n.d.). World Pilots' Day. Retrieved from https://www.tbb.org.tr/tr/hikaye/dunya-hava-yolu-yalanlar-gunu
After his retirement as a teacher at the Air School in Izmir and a manager to the Airlines State Enterprise Administration, Mehmet Fesa Evrensev continued to have an impact on Turkey's growing aerospace and aviation industry, demonstrating his skills in finance and management within the sector. In 1933, Evrensev's role in administration marked Turkey's entry into the global aerospace technology landscape, as he helped establish the country's first air transport organization.
