After a Life Loved by the Sky: We Remember Vecihi Hürkuş with Longing on the 56th Anniversary of His Death

Vecihi Hürkuş, a legendary figure in Turkish aviation who produced Türkiye's first domestically produced aircraft and held the title of "first Turkish pilot," passed away on July 16, 1969. Despite the passage of 56 years, his vision, determination, and passion for the skies continue to inspire us today.

Born in Istanbul in 1896, Hürkuş volunteered for the Balkan War at a young age. After serving on the Baghdad Front in World War I, he received pilot training and shot down a Russian plane on the Caucasus Front, making history as the "first Turkish pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft."

Captured by the Russians during the war and sent to Nargin Island in the Caspian Sea, Hürkuş managed to escape and return to Türkiye. He became the only person to receive three TGNA commendations for his reconnaissance and attack missions during the War of Independence and was honored with the Medal of Independence with a red ribbon.

First Turkish Aircraft: Vecihi K-VI

Hürkuş, who shaped Turkish aviation after the war, built Türkiye's first aircraft, the Vecihi K-VI, using materials from Izmir in 1924. However, he was penalized for flying the aircraft himself due to a flight permit not being granted.

In 1930, he built his second aircraft, the "Vecihi K-XIV," in three months in a lumber shop he rented in Kadıköy, marking Türkiye's first civilian aircraft. To obtain the necessary documentation, he was forced to disassemble the aircraft and send it to Prague by rail.

Hoping to train new pilots, Hürkuş founded the Civil Aircraft School, Türkiye's first civil aviation school, in 1932. Türkiye's first female pilot, Bedriye Gökmen, also received training there.

The civil aviation initiative, renamed "Türkkuşu" (Turkish Bird) at the behest of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, expanded with Hürkuş's contributions to numerous cities from Istanbul to Adana. There, Hürkuş introduced hundreds of young people to aviation.

The Never-Ending Struggle Despite Difficulties

He founded the agricultural spraying company "Türk Kanatı" (Turkish Wing) in 1947 and Hürkuş Airlines in 1954. However, these ventures encountered significant difficulties due to the denial of official permits and bureaucratic obstacles. He placed his last remaining aircraft, TC-ERK, at the disposal of the Mineral Research and Exploration Institute.

Hürkuş, who earned a degree in aeronautical and mechanical engineering in Germany in 1939 and became one of Türkiye's first aircraft engineers, devoted his entire life to Turkish aviation.

A Legend That Spreads Its Wings to Eternity

Vecihi Hürkuş remained in a coma for a long time after suffering a brain hemorrhage and passed away on July 16, 1969, at the age of 73. Today, on the 56th anniversary of his death, we remember him once again with respect, gratitude, and longing.

As a pioneer passionately devoted to the sky and his country, Vecihi Hürkuş's story is not only an aviation legend, but also the foundation of Türkiye's dream of flying with its own wings.